8 THE LOWDOWN
www.presspubs.com
AUGUST 2022
Music in the Trees: Belwin’s bird’s-eye view BY CORINNE STREMMEL STAFF WRITER
Belwin Conservancy wants to bring attention to its red pine forest, and it’s doing so by placing dozens of musicians in tree stands 16 feet above the ground for the aptly named “Music in the Trees.” From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 13 and 14, visitors can come to Belwin’s educational site at 1553 Stage Coach Trail South in Afton to see music performed from new heights. “It celebrates our red pine forest, which is starting to die. I wanted to bring in people to appreciate the forest,” said Belwin’s Program Director Susan Haugh. “It’ll be mostly duets, who (will) improvise based on how they feel or the sounds they hear in the forest.” Belwin Conservancy wants this to be an opportunity to educate visitors about the forest while they enjoy some unique music. The conservancy is working to transition the forest from red pine to a more diverse set of trees including oak, white pine and other native trees and plants. “Eco patches” of 10 feet by 10 feet each contain one tree to replace the many red pines that have been lost because of damage by bark beetles. “We want to prevent having a monoculture,” said Haugh. “These trees were dying because of the bark beetle, and (red pines) aren’t really supposed to be in this kind of climate.” From the early to mid-1900s, red pines were planted all across the U.S. to prevent soil erosion and because the trees were known to grow quickly. Belwin’s red pine forest was planted in 1933,
SHARON SYKORA | CONTRIBUTED
Instead of a stage, these musicians play from 16 feet in the air.
but Minnesota’s climate wasn’t conducive to the health of these trees. The red pine forest is now nearing 100 years old and has started to become crowded, cutting out other plant life that would support biodiversity. “The goal is to get people out in the forest to love it and appreciate it and learn what a healthy ecosystem should look like,” said Haugh. Belwin Conservancy adopted this combination of music and conservation education in 2019. Since then, Belwin has brought in a wide range of diverse artists who also share an appreciation for nature.
Meanwhile, on the ground, dancers perform a routine at Belwin.
‘Music in the Trees’ was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, one that I will treasure and replay many times in my memory,” said musician “Reggie” Armond Neal, who performed at the event in 2021. “The opportunity to interact with the audiences and to be sheltered by the trees (in all senses of the word) in the natural, spiritual environment was very humbling and cannot be overvalued.” This year, Belwin is inviting singer-songwriters Barrel Flash and Tricky Position to create songs and instrumental pieces with audiences. Dance troupe Young Dance will
spend the final hour of each day helping visitors of all ages and abilities to engage with the dancers. Titambe West African Dance Ensemble of Minnesota will close out the event on Sunday. The event is intended for people of all age groups and abilities who are interested in enjoying a unique musical experience in the trees. Staff Writer Corinne Stremmel can be reached by calling 651-407-1226 or emailing lowdownnews@presspubs. com.
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