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Poet Transformed Barren Land into Palm Paradise
20 Aug
Summary
- Merwin cultivated a 19-acre palm forest on Maui.
- He transformed a denuded parcel into a biodiverse haven.
- The Merwin Conservancy preserves his unique ecological legacy.
W.S. Merwin, a celebrated poet and environmentalist, dedicated 40 years to transforming a denuded parcel of land on Maui into a vibrant 19-acre palm forest. Originally a barren landscape, the property was meticulously restored by Merwin and his wife, Paula.
Merwin's journey began in 1975 when he sought quiet on Maui, eventually purchasing the degraded land. He planted hundreds of trees, focusing on endangered palm species from around the world.
Their efforts resulted in a unique arboretum with nearly 3,000 palm trees representing over 480 species. The couple later established The Merwin Conservancy to ensure the preservation of this living treasure house of palm DNA.
Merwin, who passed away in 2019 at age 91, left behind a profound legacy of both literary achievement and dedicated environmental stewardship.
