November 30, 2007
By Jennifer Musgrove (Class of 2008)
For the past five years, seven Rollins professors have focused on teaching about and restoring a historic section of land in Winter Park known as the Genius Reserve. The land serves as a living laboratory for students as Rollins professors share methods needed to restore and manage the area.
Faculty members involved with the project include environmental studies professor Bruce Stephenson, assistant biology professor Paul Stephenson, biology professor Judy Schmalstig, assistant philosophy and religion professor Ryan Musgrave, visiting assistant English professor Denise Cummings, English professor Steve Phelan and Hamilton Holt School adjunct instructor Bill Grey.
One phase of the restoration process, which is currently underway, is referred to as “Comprehensive Management.” The plan recognizes strategies to restore and protect the aesthetics of native Florida. Success in this area not only means providing a healthy sight, but also providing the reserve with an organized and coherent landscape. The Reserve’s 10-year plan includes concept designs for many of the groves, detailed inventory and detailed historical analysis. Work has already been completed to divide the land into different units for analysis.
Now in its fifth year, the Genius Reserve restoration project has garnered national recognition and was featured in Ecological Restoration, a journal that highlights ecosystem restoration projects. Rollins professors hope to continue to educate the community about the project. “I’d like to eventually have volunteer days for the local community,” Stephenson said. “These volunteer days would allow students to be involved first-hand in the restoration project in an area most students call home for nine months out of the year. Student involvement and awareness of the project is essential to the sustainability of the reserve and is an important goal for the near future.”
In the spring, a new “Art of Landscape Design” project will begin. The program is designed to integrate what progress has been made so far on the Reserve and continue to enhance the real life learning experience.
“The Genius Reserve is a historical artifact of the early 20th century, when most of Winter Park was covered by orange groves,” said Stephenson. In 1920, wealthy philanthropist Charles Hosmer Morse attained a piece of land in which he planted many citrus groves along the scenic road.
For decades, Genius Drive was a local attraction for residents and tourists alike and was known for its fine feathered inhabitants, dozens of peacocks. Genius Drive, now only open to the public once a year for a fundraiser in honor of National Arbor Day, is part of today’s 50-acre Genius Reserve. The Reserve is nestled between lakes Virginia, Berry and Mizell.
For more information, visit the Genius Reserve Web site.
