Botanist’s Study Tours Focus on Humans as Well as Nature
She’s been called the Queen of the Jungle. UCLA’s eight-acre botanical garden bears her name, and so do a dozen flowers. But her real legacy is the students, young and old, who have learned from her.
Mildred E. Mathias turns 86 this month. Her calendar extends into next year, and it is full of the things she loves to do--teach, travel and discover.
For 20 years, Mathias, professor emeritus of botany at UCLA, has been leading nature study tours throughout the world for UCLA Extension.
“Last year we went to Papua New Guinea,” she said. “What makes it interesting is that we study the humans there along with the plants, animals and birds. Urban society tends to divorce (itself) from the study of nature--as if (it weren’t) part of the mix. They take the natural environment for granted. Unless you become conscious and aware of it, you tend to only react to it sometimes when it is too late.”
The scenery, flora and fauna are different on every trip, but Mathias says the message she seeks to convey is a constant one: “What I make students aware of is the broad bio-diversity. Always reminding them that we’re all a part of it and all problems--oil spills, air pollution, ozone layer--affect all of nature. As we get more information, we have to figure out a way to educate more people.”
Parents, she says, are the most important educators of all, and the best thing they can do is encourage their children to look at things. She said taking youngsters into the back yard to examine what is going on there stimulates them to learn more.
Mathias considers herself lucky to have been brought up in a small town where she had a family that always gave her support. Growing up, she always had a row of carrots, California poppies and sweet peas to tend.
Today, she is active in introducing inner-city children to nature through organizations such as Gardens for Kids and the Chapman School, located on a ranch near Mt. Baldy. Children are brought there for a full day of activities that integrate math, science and history with nature.
It will be up to the children to improve conditions on the planet. “We’re the first organism to control the environment, and we’re doing a lousy job,” Mathias said. “We shouldn’t be controlling it, we should be living with it.”
BULLETIN BOARD
Gray Panthers--Therapist Jeanne Levy will discuss support groups for cancer patients and Prop. 161 at the Gray Panthers of Los Angeles meeting; Ken Edwards Center, 1527 4th St., Santa Monica; 7 p.m. Monday; information: (310) 472-9365 (free).
Gerontology Celebration--The Jewish Home for the Aging will hold a “Celebration of Gerontology” with an awards presentation; Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; cost and information: (818) 774-3331.
Ballroom Dancing--The Santa Monica Senior Recreation Center holds weekly ballroom dances; 1450 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; 7:30 p.m. Saturday; information: (310) 394-1227 (members $2, non-members $2.50).
