Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary follows the extraordinary life and legacy of the Danish-American landscape architect, inspiring leader, conservationist, and environmental activist Jens Jensen. It highlights his major works and discusses his relationships with politicians, businessmen, and civic leaders, and collaborations with many famous architects and designers.

Jensen’s first introduction to landscape design ironically began when he was forced to serve three years in the Kaiser’s army. During those years, he spent all his spare time sketching the French-style gardens, evoking the beauty of nature, and envisioning a world where people and nature could thrive together. Much later, after immigrating to the United States, those thoughts and visions helped him to find a career path and become a “maker of natural parks and gardens” – a title he crafted for himself.

Jensen admired natural landscapes since his childhood, which he spent on a family’s farm in Dybbol, Denmark. Living in harmony with nature allowed him to develop a design philosophy based on the principles of ecological restoration and conservation of natural areas, and of use of native plants that were organic to the landscape and climate. Jensen employed his philosophy in his works and designed more than six hundred unique landscapes, including public parks and preserves such as Humboldt Park, Garfield Park, Douglas Park, Indiana Dunes, Columbus Park, residential projects, institutional homes, schools and other educational facilities yards and playgrounds, walkable community centers, gardening programs in rural and underdeveloped communities, and golf courses. Well-known architect Frank Lloyd Wright had a lot of respect for Jensen and called him a “native nature poet.”

Throughout his life, Jensen established himself not only as a “maker of natural parks and gardens” but also as a teacher. At the end of his carrier, he organized a school, “The Clearing” in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, to share his knowledge and experience with new generations of landscape designers.

The documentary captures the opinions of many experts, historians, writers, and activists regarding Jensen’s work, including: Alfred Caldwell, Prairie School Landscape Architect, Peter B. Hales, Cultural Landscape Historian, Julia Bachrach, Chicago Parks District Historian, Ann Nathan, Jensen Legacy Project, Bob Grese, author of Jens Jensen: Maker of Natural Parks & Gardens Parks, Lee Botts, Indiana Dunes Activist, William H. Tishler, author of Jens Jensen: Writings Inspired by Nature (2012), Darrel Morrison, Prairie Landscape Architect, and many others. Also, the film’s extensive use of archival materials, including still photographs, landscape design plans, historical documents, oral interviews, and unique footage is very robust and helps to explain the scale and reach of Jensen’s legacy. Jensen forewarned that urbanization and industrialization could destroy the natural order of the earth and worked tirelessly to build a harmonious urban society.

Jens Jensen: The Living Green is highly recommended for schools, public and academic library collections and can be viewed by students studying the history of parks, gardens, and designed landscapes in the United States, as well as by teenagers, young adults, and adults interested in a great inspiring story.

Awards

• Silver Hugo Award, Chicago International Film Festival
• Best Feature Documentary, Best Feature Documentary Director, Wild Rose Independent Film Festival
• Best Documentary Editing, Best Documentary Music, Accolade International Award of Excellence
• Audience Award, Best Director, Green Bay Film Festival