LTRR docents are a critical component of the Outreach Program. Donna Mac has been a docent here for 7 years. We recently asked a few questions to learn a little more about this familiar face in the Laboratory.
What inspired you to become a docent, and how did you first get involved in this role?
I was inspired to become a docent by having a university campus in town. I could still be involved with the community even after my retirement from my career work. I began as an Academic Docent in Centennial Hall 2010 and joined the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (LTRR) in 2017.
What’s your favorite exhibit or area to guide visitors through, and why does it resonate with you?
Hailing from Cape Ann in Massachusetts, the ‘Coastal Kid’ in me loves Dr. Bryan Black’s Lab. I find it fascinating how Dr. Black applies dendrochronology techniques to growth increments formed in the hard parts of marine and freshwater species including fish, bivalves, and corals.
These aquatic chronologies are used to establish long-term patterns in productivity and their relationships to climate, quantify long-term impacts of human activities, and hind-cast climate prior to the start of instrumental records. It’s a great opportunity to share how collaborative tree-ring research is with other fields of study.
How do you adapt your tours or presentations for different audiences, such as school groups, families, or experts in the field?
Different groups require different approaches. For the school groups, I have several ‘hands’ on’ activities. A favorite memory is from a Udall Summer Camp with Janice Gallagher, a fellow docent. I like to let my partner be the presenter, while I watch the kids in order to gauge their interests and perhaps unasked questions. So, as Gallagher presented the tree cookie samples, she explained that they were prepped for studying using sandpaper. A shy hand partially raised, so I quietly asked if she had a question. “Yes”, she said, “What is sandpaper?” Later, back at the Lab, I got to thinking about that student’s question for an upcoming 4th Grade visit. I wondered how many others of that age wouldn’t know but were too shy to ask. So, working with our master’s graduate student Lyra Rahner, designed a hands-on activity for the students by having them participate in the “prep”. The students enthusiastically sanded the flip side of each of their cookies, saying they loved the sounds they made and made a little rhythm as they happily sanded and then compared their results.
I am partial to featuring the Southwest Dendroarchaeology Lab with Dr. Ron Towner. My academic background in Cultural Geography sparked my interest in learning more about trees and southwestern archaeology. Dr. Towner takes great pleasure in sharing his findings and expertise with our visitors, especially the Old Pueblo Archeology Center, who tour the Laboratory every summer.
Can you share a memorable experience or interaction you've had while leading a tour?
You never know who will be on your tour. One time, I had a family from Alaska visiting for thanksgiving. As we exited the 4th floor elevator, the dad exclaimed: “Is that Don Curry?” I answered “Yes – do you know him?”. It turns out he used to work with Don Curry, and it was a great opportunity for him to share with his family the work he did, and the story of Prometheus.
A note: Don Curry, who became a noted expert in lake sediment paleoclimatology, cored Prometheus, the oldest known bristlecone at the time (1964), in what is now Great Basin National Park.
Outside of being a docent, what are some hobbies or interests you enjoy in your free time?
Outside is the key word in that question. I love being out and about on my bicycle wherever the mood and weather of the day takes me. I often attend a variety of community and University of Arizona from the concerts in the Redi Park to UA Baseball at Hi Corbett Field.
If you could have a conversation with any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them?
I have long imagined a lovely supper with Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. Did you know their common bond? They share the same date of birth on February 12, 1809. I imagine the conversation to start with “So, President Lincoln, did you read Origin of The Species (published in 1859)? And then to Mr. Darwin “What did you make of the “War Between the States” and the issues which ignited it?” Fascinating!
