Ray Schulenberg, Pioneer of Prairie Restoration (1921 - 2003)

Ray Schulenberg, one of the pioneers of prairie restoration in this region and a mentor to many through his work as curator of native plants at the Morton Arboretum, died after a brief illness on January 12. He was 81. The guiding force behind the Arboretum's 100-acre re-created prairie and progenitor, with Floyd Swink, of the definitive Plants of the Chicago Region, Schulenberg was an inspiration to countless people. The Arboretum will hold a commemorative program at its Thornhill Education Center on June 1 at 2 p.m., and Chicago WILDERNESS intends to honor his signal contributions in a future issue.

From our back issues, see "Ray Schulenberg: Prairie Doc," CW, Summer 1998 and "Classic Prairie Restorations," CW, Summer 2000.