In early October, the conservation photographer traveled to London for an awards ceremony honoring him among The annual competition, hosted by the Natural History Museum, selected his photo “Pool of Wonder” and 99 others for inclusion in the exhibition. A jury of nature photography experts picked the 100 winning images out of 49,957 entries from photographers in 95 countries.

That means Johnson’s photo was part of only 0.2 percent of submissions to receive the coveted award. It’s not hard to see why the contest has been described as “one of the most prestigious in world photography” ().

Johnson networked with skilled photographers from around the world, including some up-and-coming talents in the youth category, at the ceremony. He and his wife, Anna Maria, explored the museum and admired the other winning photos.

When he returned home from the trip, he searched online to see which news outlets had covered the event. It was then he saw that among their 13 favorites from the competition. 

‘Something a little special’

“Pool of Wonder” captures a cluster of spotted salamander eggs nestled on a bed of sphagnum moss just under the surface of a vernal pool in Augusta County, Virginia. 

Vernal pools are temporary bodies of water that form from seasonal rains and snowmelt, Johnson writes on his . In late winter and early spring, the pools host breeding events for amphibians and macroinvertebrates. The pools are ideal nurseries for salamanders because they’re safe from predators such as fish.

“As a conservation photographer, I’m drawn to the intricate dance of underwater life in Appalachian Mountain forests and nearby lowlands,” he states on his website.

Johnson, professor and program director for the visual and communication arts (VaCA) department, created the photo in March 2020 during a sabbatical. Taking good pictures of vernal pools requires being there at the right time and a lot of searching, he said. The vernal pool featured in “Pool of Wonder” is on land owned by a friend who serves with him on the Virginia Wilderness Committee.

Johnson used a camera rig capable of being submerged underwater to capture the split between the sparse brush seen above the surface and the lush vegetation below. 

“The light was beautiful, and it’s really just a few inches of water, so I’m just kind of crouched by the side slowly lowering my camera in to try to not disturb the sediment around it,” he said, recalling the moment he took the photo. 

“Pool of Wonder” graced the cover of the summer 2021 issue of Nature Conservancy magazine. Johnson has previously likened the sunlight filtering through the eggs in the picture, and the delicate shades of blue and green, to “an aquatic Vermeer painting” (91����Ƶ News). 

He entered the wildlife photography contest for his first time this year after some encouragement from friends in the field.

“This one always felt like it had something a little special to it,” he said. “I think the sort of symmetry, the color, it all felt like something had come together in that image.”

Johnson, who authored an with featured essays by vernal pools expert Michael Hayslett, said part of his mission as a conservation photographer is to highlight the threat that development and climate change pose to the underwater worlds.

Less predictable spring rains are causing pools to dry up before the young salamanders can fully develop and live on land. 

“[Hayslett] has told me that living here for decades, there used to be one big night where you could predict all the spotted salamanders would come out and migrate, and now that’s become very fragmented to much smaller events,” he said. 

Where art meets science 

When he’s not crouching by the side of a vernal pool in his waders, Johnson is teaching the next generation of photographers and visual artists.

In addition to conservation photography, his courses include advanced Photoshop, web design and social media. Johnson said the VaCA program teaches students about different forms of storytelling, from web and video production to animation and photography, and even painted murals.

“Students really get that full scope,” he said. “I think that is what makes them so marketable. They know how to do a whole bunch of things and do them well.”

’19 is putting the skills he learned from those classes to good use as media producer at Gravity Group, a Harrisonburg-based brand and marketing consultancy. He said the class in conservation photography instilled in him a love for nature photography. It not only taught him technical skills, but also how to be more intentional with the stories he tells.

Swartzendruber described “Pool of Wonder” as visually stunning.

“It truly brings me to an entirely different world just looking at it,” he said.

“He’s doing something that I’ve genuinely never seen before with the knowledge he has.”

Johnson is now in his 19th year at 91����Ƶ. He said one unique strength for the VaCA program is the wealth of places to photograph nature near campus, such as the 1.6 million acre . The cameras they use in their courses, even at the introductory level, are the same ones he uses professionally, he added.

He welcomes students approaching his visual and communication arts classes from a background in environmental science and biology.

“If they love the world of nature, the environment and also want to communicate about that, we have two dedicated courses right now they can develop those skills and find faculty who are passionate about that intersection,” Johnson said.

One new class he’ll be co-teaching in the spring with Professor Steve Cessna is Communication and the Environment. The class will teach students how scientists and advocacy nonprofits communicate about science and the environment, what kinds of strategies they use and will give students a chance to try it themselves.

Professor Tara Kishbaugh, dean of 91����Ƶ’s School of Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Nursing, said Johnson exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education in reflecting the importance of communication skills and multidisciplinary work.

“Steven’s focus on communication of conservation needs aligns well with our science programs, particularly those in environmental science, and is one of many reasons why I am happy to have the arts within my school,” Kishbaugh said. “91����Ƶ students, both within and outside the arts programs, can benefit from Steven’s expertise and his thoughtful way of living out his values in his teaching and his art.”

In early fall of 2008, the mowers were silenced, the grass began to grow longer and preparations began. Did Physical Plant forget about mowing the North side of 91����Ƶ’s hill? On the other hand, perhaps, there was too much work to be done and the hill was the last item on list? In actuality, under the command of Josh Brubaker, lead grounds worker for Physical Plant, a meadow was ever so slowly forming.

But why a meadow and what benefits does a meadow bring? As Brubaker explains, “Meadows are an unusual and captivating landscape feature. The plant life that flourishes when left alone reminds us of the way this space might have looked before we came here. It is restful and humbling to enjoy the beauty that happens when we don’t interfere.”

Environmental benefits

Besides the natural look the meadow brings to 91����Ƶ’s campus, it provides superior water filtration, slows water runoff, saves money and the environment from the lessened usage of mowers, and provides an excellent place for classes to learn about the outdoors.

In keeping with 91����Ƶ’s core values and actions towards becoming more sustainable, the meadow is another terrific “green opportunity.” As Eldon Kurtz states, “[We are creating a] sustainable meadow for sustainable reasons.” With the decreased mowing of the meadow, happening only twice a year in late spring and late fall, the decrease in emissions will save the environment. In addition, the monetary savings of having a meadow are also very significant, saving the university roughly $3,500.

With the first full year of the meadow complete, what has happened and what is yet to come? During the first year of the meadow creation process, the natural grasses have grown up and some of the wild flowers that have been planted have begun to bloom.

Finding what works in the meadow will be a trial and error process and the first year proved to have its difficulties and successes. Currently, there is Bluegrass, Rye, Wild Bermuda, Quack Grass and Fescue grasses interspersed throughout the landscape of the hill. The flowers planted this past year consist of Shasta Daisies, California Blue Bells, Cosmos, Lupines, Red Poppies and Black-Eyed Susans.

The Black-Eyed Susans have done very well on the hill and some of the other flowers have not even graced the hill with their appearance this past year. However, next year the flowers will have had some time to mature and should make quite a show. In addition, wildflowers have been planted carefully at certain times so that they will bloom around graduation and around homecoming weekend.

Campus feedback

A variety of reactions and concerns have also surfaced through the recent “meadow initiative.” A neighbor has had concerns in the past year about whether the meadow will have ill effects on his yard from possible spread of unwanted seeds to his property. This concern was addressed and with mowing the meadow twice a year, as previously mentioned, the spread of seeds will be kept to a minimum. Also in the next half year, signage will be constructed to give the general public information about the purpose of the meadow.

Overall, there has been a lot of positive feedback about the meadow. While enjoying the meadow, Sara Beachy said, “I like to frolic in the meadow, the squirrels just make my day sometime.” Sonnie Siegfried continued by saying, “Planting the wildflower’s on the hill is the best idea ever because I love the butterflies.” The next year will still prove to be an experimental time for the meadow, but most certainly a year of growth and maturation.

The meadow will only get more beautiful and become another unique part of the diverse 91����Ƶ campus.

Willis Jenkins, assistant professor of social ethics at Yale Divinity School

Willis Jenkins, assistant professor of social ethics at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Conn., will speak on “Environmental Ethics and Christian Theology,” 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 in the Suter Science Center auditorium.

Dr. Shelly L. Thomas, assistant professor of biology at 91����Ƶ, and Dr. Kenton K. Brubaker, professor emeritus of biology at 91����Ƶ, will respond to Jenkins’ presentation.

Jenkins received a BA degree from Wheaton (Ill.) College and MA and PhD degrees from the University of Virginia. His research focuses on environmental ethics, religion and sustainable development, and moral theologies. He has taught at UVa. and at a rural campus of Uganda Christian University.

Jenkins has significant international experience in community development initiatives, was co-founder of the Episcopal Young Adult Service Corps, and served on the Episcopal Church’s Standing Commission on World Mission, 2000 to 2006.

He has published articles in the Journal of Religion, Environmental Ethics, Anglican Theological Review, Worldviews: Environment, Culture, Religion and the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.

“Our speaker will describe several major problems in environmental ethics, some of the ways that theological traditions approach those problems and how traditions may be changing in this contemporary encounter of faith and sustainability,” said Roman J. Miller, Suter Endowed Professor of Biology at 91����Ƶ.

The seminar, co-sponsored by the Shenandoah Anabaptist Scientific Society, is open to the public free of charge. Refreshments will be served 15 minutes prior to the presentation.

For more information, contact Dr. Miller, 540-432-4412 or email millerrj@emu.edu.

Dr. Heisey, chair of the Bible and religion department, is "trying to do my responsible part" in caring for the environment by leaving her car at her home on Lee Avenue in Harrisonburg and getting to campus by other means.

Nancy Heisey prepares to board Harrisonburg Transit bus #5 at the stop next to 91����Ƶ’s Hartzler Library. Photo by Lindsey Roeschley

For two years now, she has committed herself to walking, biking or taking public transportation for the 1 1/2 mile commute to work. Often she’ll walk or bike in the morning and ride Bus #5 in the evening because of her teaching schedule.

Heisey, who is also president of Mennonite World Conference, "especially enjoys" taking the bus because "it makes me feel more a part of the greater Harrisonburg area. I’ve gotten to know some neat people who are regular users.

"I’m finding that too few [91����Ƶ] students are aware of the city bus service that can take them just about anywhere they want to go – at half the regular bus fee," Heisey adds. "I’m trying to be a bit evangelistic in promoting this handy, alternative form of local transportation."

At the same time, she notes, "It was a student of mine who chided me some time ago for not recycling my office copy of the daily newspaper. I’m doing that now. It’s no big effort to keep a storage container handy for recyclable materials."

Nancy Heisey waits at the bus stop in front of Hartzler Library. Photo by Lindsey Roeschley

Heisey has been a devotee of the "More With Less" cookbook ever since Mennonite Central Committee released that publication through Herald Press in the 1970s. But, more recently, she and her spouse Paul Longacre have "recommitted ourselves to simplifying our diets, purchasing locally-produced foods whenever possible and planting a garden every year."

Heisey and Longacre are members of a local Voluntary Tax Group () that calculates what should be a reasonable price for fuel and contributes to a fund based on the alternate figures.

They meet twice a year and support a charitable cause.

Unless the weather is bad, the couple usually walks to church – Community Mennonite at the corner of S. High and Water Streets – Sunday mornings.

"Practicing recycling and other simple efforts to help care for God’s creation can be a natural part of our daily activities," Heisey says. "It’s a matter of being willing to do some planning and be mindful of how our actions affect so many others."

That’s the question 91����Ƶ students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests will tackle at a forum Jan. 22, beginning at 8:45 a.m. in the Suter Science Center that is open to the community. Read more about the event…

The university is hosting the morning-long event to foster a sense of ownership and excitement in plans to renovate the existing science center and create a sustainable learning environment. The “how green?” question invites people to dream about innovation and how sustainable building fits with 91����Ƶ’s core vision and mission.

“There’s no doubt 91����Ƶ is committed to building green,” said President Loren Swartzendruber about the upcoming event, noting that 91����Ƶ is well-known for its energy-efficient buildings.

The school’s historical commitment to sustainable building is well documented, he noted. “Now that we are in the planning phase of a significant building project, we are considering how to mesh our values and dreams with the realities of appropriate funding goals and a booming new field in green technologies,” the president stated.

The forum will include input on Anabaptist theology and sustainability by retired sociologist Dr. Calvin Redekop; a summary of 91����Ƶ’s track record on sustainability by Eldon Kurtz, director of 91����Ƶ facilities; an overview of green design and building with Bill Barnard, LEED-AP certified architect with the . The event will also include discussion on 91����Ƶ’s principles of sustainability.

Current students who are part of a new “green design” class this semester at 91����Ƶ will also participate. They will gather ideas at the forum to research throughout the coming semester.

Planners hope that a building project that has the backing of the campus and broader community will:

• Model the community’s theological commitment to creation care and God’s mandate in Micah 6:8 to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.”
• Serve the university well from a pedagogical perspective.
• Attract students and faculty who share 91����Ƶ’s core values.
• Showcase the university’s creativity, innovation and motivation.

The forum will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12 noon, Tuesday Jan. 22, 2008. It is free and open to all.

The event is sponsored by the university’s Creation Care Council. See more at www.emu.edu/begreen. Email questions to begreen@emu.edu or phone 432-4348.

Animated orator Tony Campolo speaks without notes in engaging his audience. Photo by Jim Bishop

At age 72, Tony Campolo remains passionate about two things – that people experience a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and that they combine evangelistic zeal with concern for social justice.

Dr. Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pa., and outspoken advocate for the poor and disenfranchised, issued strong calls to a deeper level of spirituality and care for creation in addresses at 91����Ƶ Thursday evening, Oct. 18 and Friday morning, Oct. 19.

Campolo asked his audiences: "When was the last time you were simply still, quiet, totally surrendering to God’s presence?"

He said that he begins every day by "centering on Jesus," by desiring "an invasion of the Holy Spirit" to drive and to direct his actions.

"We pray, ‘Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven,’" Campolo noted. "Our mission in life is to live out the will of God, working to change the world from what is into what God intended His creation to be.

"That’s why we have places like 91����Ƶ that integrate faith and knowledge with a strong spirituality and commitment to peace and justice," he said.

Focus on Creation Care

Campolo focused his chapel message on "caring for God’s creation," noting that "it is only as we become willing to change our lifestyles, to live simply that others may simply live, that we begin to move beyond just a lot of talk to actions that will make a difference in the world.

"Working for social justice can easily become a new form of legalism," Campolo warned. "How we approach the task makes all the difference.

"The power of the Spirit must be the driving force that transports you from something you ought to do, often motivated by guilt, to something you want to do because you view people differently – you see Jesus staring back at you," the speaker said.

"Are we living like Jesus wants us to live?" Campolo asked. "The more we surrender to the Holy Spirit, the more that same mind will be in you that is in Christ," Campolo said. "Let your hearts be broken by the things that break the heart of God."

Read more about 91����Ƶ’s efforts to be green…

Campolo is founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), where he works to create, nurture and support programs for "at-risk" children in cities across North America and has helped establish schools and universities in several developing countries. He is author of 34 books, his most recent "The God of Intimacy and Action."

His visit was sponsored by Compassion International and the campus ministries office at 91����Ƶ. Campolo’s chapel session was part of a year-long series on sustainability. Click here to see upcoming "sustainability" chapels on the schedule…

Matt Frei, chief Washington, D.C., correspondent for the BBC, interviewed President Loren Swartzendruber on creation care from an Anabaptist perspective for a BBC production about Christian response to global warming; the program will be aired internationally later this month.

It’s a hot topic generating heated debate.

91����Ƶ President Loren Swartzendruber added to the conversation with a message on global warming and the care of God’s creation, Friday morning, Apr. 13.

, which followed the regular chapel service in Lehman Auditorium, were recorded by Matt Frei, chief Washington, D.C., correspondent for the London-based British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The event opened with the singing of an a cappella hymn, “God of the Fertile Fields” (Brethren-Mennonite Hymnal #360).

Swartzendruber believes the BBC contacted him because he was among 86 Christian leaders who signed a statement concerning this issue.

“Some Christian leaders have made public statements suggesting global warming is not a reality or is a hoax/conspiracy and the BBC wants to compare responses of various Christian leaders/groups,” the president said.

‘a Theological Issue’

“I believe this is a scientific and theological/moral issue,” the president said. “We are called to be good stewards of God’s creation, and we are invited to make every effort to reduce the impact of our lifestyle choices on this phenomenon for the sake of the entire world and our future children/grandchildren.

“The projections from many leading scientists are currently quite dire, particularly for the poorest populations in the world,” Swartzendruber said.

“A report from the (IPCC) says, with at least 90 percent certainty, that global warning is man-made and will ‘continue for centuries’ – unless we take actions to slow or reverse the trend.”

“What have we lost if we make changes now for a cleaner environment, even if we should ultimately learn that the projections have been made in error?” the president stated. “If we ignore some very obvious signs, however, or avoid the tough issues, and we are wrong in that direction, millions of us and our descendants will suffer awful consequences.

Excerpts from Swartzendruber’s address and an interview will be broadcast as part of a BBC news report on global warming later this month on the BBC television and radio network to an audience estimated in the millions.

The complete text of the president’s message is available at .

You may also read more about .

President Swartzendruber is available for further interviews on this topic. Contact 91����Ƶ marketing and communications:

Andrea Wenger, director
Phone: 540-432-4348
Cell: 540-560-2237

Jim Bishop, public information officer
Phone: 540-432-4211