Alexander von Humboldt was the most famous scientist of his age … whose discoveries forever changed the way we understand the natural world. Among his most revolutionary ideas was a radical conception of nature as a complex and interconnected global force that does not exist for the use of mankind.
On September 14, 1869, 15,000 people in New York marched through Central Park with torches in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Alexander von Humboldt, the scientist and explorer for whom Humboldt Park is named. Similar events were held in Melbourne, Adelaide, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Moscow, and Alexandria. In addition to New York, the U.S. celebrated von Humboldt’s contributions in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, Charleston, Cleveland, and Syracuse. President Ulysses Grant joined a crowd of 10,000 in Pittsburgh to honor the man.
Indeed, there are more places named for Alexander von Humboldt than any other person. Our beloved park — 73 acres of trees, pollinators, wildlife, and water in our community — is one of them. As stewards of the park, Humboldt Park Friends recognizes that we all have a part in shaping our behaviors in concert with our environment. We can pollute our waterways or preserve them. We can dump trash or recycle it. We can plant and maintain trees to cool us, retain water, improve air quality, or take them for granted.
Humboldt was the ‘greatest of the priesthood of nature’, because he had understood the world as an interplay between man and nature … humankind was destroying the environment.
When the squills bloom near the Veterans’ Monument and lily pad pond, and the early blooms appear on the Wisconsin redbuds, the work of Friends of Humboldt Park is apparent. The same is true when educational signs about pollinators and wildlife are erected at the north end of the lagoon. But much of the work of we do is less visible. For example, we work to build community.
Our parks are more than just parks. They anchor the neighborhoods around them and are the foundation of our community. Every foundation needs to be built, and there are no better builders of community than the Humboldt Park Friends.
Our volunteers are also professionals. We are accountants, architects, artists, buyers, calligraphers, designers, environmentalists, fundraisers, graphic designers, horticulturalists, musicians, photographers, psychologists, public relations specialists, realtors, social media specialists, strategic planners, and teachers. We’re students, too. We are learning all the time about ice skating, pollinators, trees, county regulations, water quality, climate resilience, building codes, watersheds, birds, micro-forests, Porta-potties, grant writing, and so much more.
Becoming a volunteer has allowed me to see the scope of Humboldt Park’s impact on the community. The breadth is amazing — music in the summer, skating in the winter, and educational and enrichment programs for kids and adults throughout the year.
In the past 18 months, we have more than doubled the number of our active volunteers. We distributed bilingual door hangers to over 3,000 households. We posted wildlife photos almost daily. After every party, every performance, every afterschool play date, we cleaned up. We further developed our already solid relationships with park personnel and celebrated their hard work. And we did this all to foster a loving relationship among residents and this park — this system that sustains life.
Humboldt was the first to understand that everything was interwoven as with ‘a thousand threads.
Humboldt Park volunteers benefit from a sense of community that the work brings. Some of our volunteers have lived within blocks of the park their entire lives. They cannot imagine life without it. Others have lived here only months but are drawn to the park immediately upon arrival.
Volunteering with Humboldt Park Friends connects me with a community that cares deeply about being good stewards of this invaluable resource.
Volunteers also find comfort in working with nature: weeding, cutting, mulching, planting. Much like artists and craftsmen gain satisfaction from a job well done, Humboldt Park Friends life to step back at times — even when there is much to do — to notice that beauty is all around us.
Being in the park daily, one can observe the circle of life in the flora and fauna, and I try to photograph some of it. It is very comforting.
Alexander von Humboldt, a renowned scientist, revolutionized our understanding of nature as a complex, interconnected global force. Humboldt Park Friends, who emphasize environmental stewardship, is committed to furthering the understanding he brought us in 1797. Our efforts include community building, volunteer engagement, and park maintenance. We find a sense of community and comfort in this work, which ranges from weeding and planting to capturing the park’s daily life, highlighting its beauty and our interconnectedness with nature.
Please join us today with a year-end gift to support our work in 2026.
Nature asks nothing in return for the beauty it provides. But this park and the wildlife that depend on the park deserve our attention and commitment.