Be inspired. Be bold. Be together.
Join the call for change. The 38th Annual Smith Nature Symposium explores climate justice and healing through the power of community. Learn from artists, scientists, leaders, and activists during this series of programs, exhibitions, and concerts running through October 2021. Help our community emerge from the pandemic with collective strength, empathy, and renewed passion for the people and nature we love.
Watch the 2021 Awards Ceremony & Interview with Winona LaDuke:
SPONSORS
Gold Sponsor
Nancy and David Levi
Adele Simmons
Adele Simmons
Silver Sponsors
Amy and Robert Heinrich
Mike Levin
Melanie and Ed Ranney
Vicky and George A. Ranney, Jr.
Jean Meilinger and John Schneider
Mike Levin
Melanie and Ed Ranney
Vicky and George A. Ranney, Jr.
Jean Meilinger and John Schneider
Friend Sponsors
Lele and Henry Barkhausen
Bobbie Brown and Nick Bothfeld
Winnie and Bob Crawford
Barbi and Tom Donnelley
Donna and Anders Gustafsson
Judy and Tony Iacuzzi
Heidi Kiesler
Patricia and John Leonard
Eleanor Ranney-Mendoza and Javier Mendoza
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Lorra Rudman
Judith Stockdale and Jonathan Boyer
A. Gail and William Sturm
Martha Twaddle and Tom Millar
Bobbie Brown and Nick Bothfeld
Winnie and Bob Crawford
Barbi and Tom Donnelley
Donna and Anders Gustafsson
Judy and Tony Iacuzzi
Heidi Kiesler
Patricia and John Leonard
Eleanor Ranney-Mendoza and Javier Mendoza
Suzanne Malec-McKenna
Lorra Rudman
Judith Stockdale and Jonathan Boyer
A. Gail and William Sturm
Martha Twaddle and Tom Millar
Ambassador Sponsor
Andy and Richard Amend
Beth and Harry Drucker
Jonathan Huisel
Judy and John McCarter
Ellen Rudnick and Paul W. Earle
Beth and Harry Drucker
Jonathan Huisel
Judy and John McCarter
Ellen Rudnick and Paul W. Earle
Supporter Sponsor
Jerry Adelmann
Shaun and Andy Block
Joann Dinneen
Joan and Russell Game
Mary and Bruce Hamming
Arnold and Carol Kanter
Karen and Bob Lewis
Valerie and Michael Lewis
Barbara Rose
Jane and Les Sturgeon
Shaun and Andy Block
Joann Dinneen
Joan and Russell Game
Mary and Bruce Hamming
Arnold and Carol Kanter
Karen and Bob Lewis
Valerie and Michael Lewis
Barbara Rose
Jane and Les Sturgeon
In-kind Sponsors
Program Sponsors
Photo Credit: Midwest SOARRING Foundation, Michael Kardas
Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods hosts the 37th annual Smith Nature Symposium in memory of the significant civic legacy of Hermon Dunlap and Ellen Thorne Smith, who donated their land and cabin to help form Ryerson Woods. Hermon "Dutch" Smith was chair and CEO of Marsh & McLennan, and led The Chicago Community Trust, Newberry Library, and many other Chicago Institutions. Ellen was a philanthropic leader and champion of nature with organizations such as The Field Museum and Chicago Zoological Society. She authored the book Chicagoland Birds: Where and When to Find Them. Proceeds from the Smith Nature Symposium support Brushwood Center’s COVID-19 response and our work to advance equitable access to healing, learning, and empowerment through nature and the arts.
Host Committee
Lele and Henry Barkhausen
Barbi and Tom Donnelley
Amy and Robert Heinrich
Judy and Tony Iacuzzi
Patricia and John Leonard
Mike Levin
Jean Meilinger and John Schneider
Judith Stockdale and Jonathan Boyer
Lorra Rudman
Adele Simmons
A. Gail and William Sturm
Martha Twaddle and Tom Millar
Barbi and Tom Donnelley
Amy and Robert Heinrich
Judy and Tony Iacuzzi
Patricia and John Leonard
Mike Levin
Jean Meilinger and John Schneider
Judith Stockdale and Jonathan Boyer
Lorra Rudman
Adele Simmons
A. Gail and William Sturm
Martha Twaddle and Tom Millar