Statue of Dr. Seuss Character Who Warned of Environmental Harm
Unveiled at Preuss School to Celebrate Arbor Day and New Ecology Garden

April 27, 2009

From left: UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, Audrey Geisel, and Preuss Principal Scott Barton with the Lorax's statue.

“What was the Lorax?

Why was it there?

And why was it lifted and taken somewhere?”

From The Lorax by Dr. Seuss,
published in 1971

Preuss School students and their guests know the answers, because the Lorax was there—as a stout figure in a fluffy yellow costume, as a five-foot bronze statue and as The Lorax author’s gracious representative.

As everyone who has read to a child—or been a child—remembers, the Lorax was a character created by famed author Theodor Seuss Geisel to warn of harm to the environment, many years before “green” became a byword. Specifically, in The Lorax, as the trees are cut down, the birds stop singing, the trees disappear and “the bad smelling sky” appears.

Students in Preuss' drama class pose for a picture before entertaining the audience at the statue's unveiling.

To mark Arbor Day, UC San Diego’s Preuss School held a dual celebration—the inauguration of its new drought-tolerant garden, and the unveiling of a bronze statue of the Lorax donated by Audrey Geisel, widow of the author.

Scott Barton, Preuss School principal, opened the celebration by noting that “we are proud of our rankings and our academic successes, but also the achievements we have made in the arts, music, drama, and, yes, the environment.”

“The Lorax has become a popular metaphor for those concerned about the human impact on the environment, and shows Theodor Geisel’s foresight and early wisdom about the importance of conservation and preservation of our environment,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “So it’s quite fitting that this statue of the Lorax is here, in the ecology garden that Preuss students have created. And that we’re here on Arbor Day, the nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care.”

Eric Romer, Ecology Club advisor, introduced the club as a whole and several members who read their “Pledge to speak to the trees.” Among these were sentiments such as “I pledge to conserve water…dedicate part of my life to informing people about ecology…trying not to litter (‘I litter a lot’)…using both sides of all the pieces of paper.” Trees around the campus were strung with the paper pledges written by dozens of Ecology Club members.

Preuss students take turns hugging the Lorax and posing for a photo opportunity.

Members of the Drama Club enacted a reading of The Lorax, during which a big, bright yellow Lorax made his first appearance, courtesy of sophomore Adrian Gil.

As Audrey Geisel stood at the side of the statue after its unveiling, she noted  “this is the first time I’ve been on the Preuss campus and I’m really impressed with the student body’s enthusiasm and outstanding work. I think my Lorax—Ted’s Lorax—will be very happy here. This is where he should be, and he looks at home.”

Noted Barton in closing, “our drought-resistant garden is now officially the 'Lorax Garden'.”

UC San Diego’s Mandeville Special Collections Library is the world’s main repository for the original works of Theodor Seuss Geisel. The approximately 10,000 items in the Dr. Seuss Collection, which includes original drawings, manuscript drafts, books, notebooks, photographs and memorabilia, document the full range of Geisel’s creative achievements, beginning in 1919 with his high school activities and ending with his death in 1991.