Senate Resolution No. 188

BY: Senator MAY

HONORING Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer upon the occasion
of her selection as recipient of the 2022 MacArthur
Fellow

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals within the great State of New York that are dedicated to the
vital work of environmental protection; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer upon the occasion of her selection as recipient
of the 2022 MacArthur Fellow, which is awarded by the John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer received this distinguished reward
for her alternative vision of environmental stewardship informed by
traditional ecological knowledge in her work with plant sciences and
forestry/forest science, fiction and nonfiction writing and
conservation; and

WHEREAS, A renowned plant ecologist, educator and writer, Dr. Robin
Wall Kimmerer is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of
Environmental Biology at the College of Environmental Science and
Forestry, founder and director of the Center for Native Peoples and the
Environment, and co-founder of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge
section of the Ecological Society of America; and

WHEREAS, Robin Wall Kimmerer earned her Bachelor of Science degree
in botany from the State University of New York, College of
Environmental Science and Forestry in 1975, and both her master's degree
and her PhD in botany from the University of Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer is an expert in the ecology of
mosses and the restoration of ecological communities; she brings to her
scientific research and writing her lived experience as a member of the
Citizen Potawatomi Nation and the principles of Traditional Ecological
Knowledge (TEK), which refers to the body of knowledge Indigenous
peoples cultivate through their relationship with the natural world; and

WHEREAS, In collaboration with tribal partners, Dr. Robin Wall
Kimmerer and her students have an active research program in the ecology
and restoration of plants of cultural significance to Native people; she
is also active in efforts to broaden access to environmental science
education for Native students and to create new models for the
integration of indigenous philosophy and scientific tools on behalf of
land and culture; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer is the author of Gathering Moss: A
Natural and Cultural History of Mosses and Braiding Sweetgrass:
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants as
well as numerous scientific papers published in various environmental
journals; and

WHEREAS, Through her thoughtful efforts and passion, Dr. Robin Wall
Kimmerer has truly had a profound influence on how we conceptualize the
relationship between nature and humans, and her work furthers efforts to
heal a damaged planet; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the
continuing welfare of the citizens of the State of New York is greatly
enriched and reliably served by the purposeful endeavors of individuals
who are committed to the preservation of our natural environment and the
enhancement of the appreciation of the distinctive features of our
surroundings; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer upon the occasion of her selection as
recipient of the 2022 MacArthur Fellow; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer.