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• 2021 Smith Nature Symposium · Winona LaDuke

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
Special thanks to our generous sponsors! 

​ Gold Sponsor

​Nancy and David Levi
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

​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

​​Ambassador Sponsor

Andy and Richard Amend
​Beth and Harry Drucker
Jonathan Huisel
Judy and John McCarter
​Ellen Rudnick and Paul W. Earle

Supporter SponsorJerry 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

​​Program Sponsors

Photo Credit: Midwest SOARRING Foundation, Michael Kardas

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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.