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Reflection on July Field Trip with OMI Novices July 25th, 2024
(By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND, Director, La Vista Ecological Learning Center)
[L to R: Novice Elisha Chisanga, Novice Chandu Ponugumai, Brother Pat McGee, Father Paul Wightman, Novice Alvaro Chapa]
In the opening chapter of the encyclical Laudato Si, we learn about urgent environmental issues facing “our common home.” For our final field trip of the year we focused on one of these, biodiversity loss, learning that a unique Missionary Oblate of Mary Immaculate has quietly been promoting biodiversity health for many years, well before Laudato Si was published.
Father Paul Wightman, OMI, followed a youthful allurement to caving, and as a result has had a significant impact on biodiversity in southern Illinois. In his delightful and informative presentation Father Paul took us on a pictorial tour of Fogelpole cave, entertaining us with stories about his underground experiences through the years. With a twinkle in his eyes and a charming grin, Paul showed us what it is like when a person is allured by a special part of our rare and precious planet and gets serious about enjoying it.
Located near his hometown of Waterloo, Illinois, Fogelpole Cave is the largest and most biologically diverse cave in Illinois, and exploring it became his hobby. He took many students and scientists into the cave throughout his life. Because the owners were careful about providing access to the cave on their land, it has remained pristine to this day. The cave is home to threatened and endangered species; consequently, it is now part of the Illinois Nature Preserves System, preserved in perpetuity, contributing to the health of biodiversity forever!
[Father Paul with students inside Fogelpole Cave]
In addition, the 500 acres above the cave are also preserved and dedicated in the Illinois Nature Preserve System as the Paul Wightman Subterranean Nature Preserve. Because of this preservation, the water flowing into the cave remains free from pesticides and herbicides. In addition, volunteers have turned the farmland above the cave into a native prairie, providing habitat for many pollinators.
The Novices, Brother Pat McGee, and I were touched with the way Father Paul modestly shared his impactful caving career, and we felt inspired to contribute to the health of our rare and precious planet, each in our own special way.
