"Preserve," an installation by Preserve Collaborative, on the lawn near Curtis Prairie. (Photo: Susan Day)

“The City of Madison Arts Commission is proud to announce the installation of Preserve, a temporary environmental art installation, which is now on display at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum.

Preserve transforms scientific documentation into compelling visual art, celebrating the extraordinary biodiversity found in Wisconsin. The installation showcases 1,000 documented species, demonstrating an unprecedented level of local ecological richness while inspiring conservation action and environmental stewardship.

The project draws inspiration from the influential work of Aldo Leopold, who was the UW–Madison Arboretum’s first research director and whose A Sand County Almanac was informed by observations made in the 1930s and 1940s. This historical connection deepens the work’s significance as both an artistic statement and a call to action for contemporary environmental challenges.”

The installation of Preserve at the UW Arboretum was made possible by the Madison Arts Commission’s Blink temporary art program.

Read the full City of Madison media release, June 10, 2025.

Learn more about the Preserve Collaborative artists.