"As a child growing up in rural Wisconsin I was taught to never cut down milkweed because of its significance as habitat for Monarch butterflies. The relationship between milkweed and the migration of the Monarch is tangible proof that we belong to a globally connected ecosystem. Much of the prairie has been paved, but milkweed still pushes up through the cracks to provide a home to the wayward Monarch and scatter its seeds on the wind. It is a symbol of hope and rebellion, embodying midwestern values of perseverance and humble effort. In order to reclaim and preserve these native ecosystems we must first find the beauty in them and accept these ecosystems as part of our cultural identity. Public art in community spaces like the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center plays a role in telling the shared story of who we are and how we relate to the land.

When viewed from left to right the mural depicts the milkweed lifecycle, with Monarchs flying in from the left to pollenate the flowers, which then fold into pods and release their seeds to the wind on the right. The surrounding landscape is modeled after the County Farm Park, which connects directly to the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center and includes active prairie and wet meadow restoration projects. The stream in the image is modeled after Malletts Creek, which is shown emptying out into the pool, tying the scene and the space together. The scale and perspective of the mural are immersive, inviting visitors to the MLMRC to get lost in the imagery and feel a shift in scale as they experience this ecosystem from a brand new vantage point."

— Thomas Moberg