| Professor Phil Lewis |
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This year we are honored to recognize Professor Phil Lewis, renowned urban planner and Professor Emeritus of Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for his work in the field of regional design with our first annual Bringing Bioneers to Wisconsin Award. He is a true Bioneer working to help others understand how human patterns of settlement can be guided to help preserve the ecological and cultural diversity of Wisconsin. Professor Lewis understands the connections between human mobility, settlement patterns and the health of the natural and cultural world around us. His visionary work, based on patterns of light he observed when nighttime satellite photos first became available, highlights broad patterns of urbanization he calls "Circle Cities." One such Circle City is right here in our own backyard: The ring of urbanization from Milwaukee to Minneapolis to Chicago surrounds the Driftless Area, one of the most valued natural areas in the state. Professor Lewis's vision for the Driftless Area is that it can serve as a sort of Midwestern Central Park, encircled by urbanization but carefully protected. The way to realize this goal is to work on a regional scale to determine where, for example, transportation routes and utilities are located. Stronger local and statewide land use standards, as well as official recognition of the Driftless Area as a biosphere reserve, are also required. The development of regional rail, both as primary means of transportation and as a foundation for educational tourism in the 21st Century, is central to this regional plan . Today, we are excited to see Professor Lewis's vision for the Driftless Area begin to take seed. Currently, leaders from Mazomanie, WI are working with him to develop their city as a Regional Heritage Center -- a comprehensive effort to put this vision into practice. Phil Lewis is a passionate, dedicated visionary leader. For many years his work has greatly influenced regional planning on a state and a national scale. In the last few years, it has been recognized nationally, regionally, and locally. He has received the American Society of Landscape Architects Gold Medal, its highest award; the Wisconsin Idea Award, given to one whose work in national resource policy best reflects the Wisconsin Idea; and, the Jim Graaskamp and Orchids Award, that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a long-term commitment to the Dane County urban environment. We are honored to join these many others in recognizing Professor Lewis for his very important work and to present him with our first annual "Bringing Bioneers to Wisconsin" award! See the video below created in honor of Phil Lewis.
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