Landscape - what was on your backyard before you?

Here's a TED talk about NYC and the landscape that was there before the current city. I'm not saying we shouldn't be here or build a city etc... I DO think we should remember the long history of the physical place, the land you live upon now. (yes the geological time scale is absolutely humbling) - but the acute history....

I mean, have you ever looked at a landscape through the eyes of a Native? With little scientific understanding of tides, or exploding guysers at Yellowstone, or volcanic eruptions, or moon phases, or seasons, or the ebb and flood of the skookumchuck narrows? I LOVE the oral tradition and stories that were exchanged and passed down to explain the landscape and these natural processes. Even... it wasn't that long ago when we thought that the Earth was the center of the universe, or that the world was flat, or that Noah's flood formed all geologic formations. (oh wait, some still believe that). BUT - think how much we still don't know.

Oops, that was a tangent, but let's remember the ground beneath us was foundation to others before-humans and natural ecosystems-

CLICK HERE to go to the TED Site and watch it (kind of long and maybe boring if you aren't interested, but I think it is pretty neat!)

(The NW)

“To be rooted is perhaps the most important and least-recognized need of the human soul.” - Simone Weil

HOME. Sense of place, Your Place, LANDSCAPE – all are the background, the setting for our lives. Shouldn’t we know more about the natural place around us - about the regional history (human, biological and geological) and the present natural systems we are intrinsically woven into?

As my love for learning about our natural systems and passions for science education/communication increase…I can’t help but continue to be convinced: if we were more connected to the landscape, if we could look beyond the concrete layer that disconnects us to the soil that grows our food, if we could understand why the moon waxes and wanes, if we could stop and just pay attention to the detail of a leaf changing colors – maybe we’d wonder more (and in turn awake wonder in others). Maybe we’d care about even thinking about taking care of the Earth.

So… here’s a start. A challenge if you will – to become acquainted with your unique, regional landscape. (by the way, Colorado folks, I miss those yellow aspens at this time of year…) If nothing else, read through them and find out one new fact a month -- don’t we all want to learn more? Thanks to Loren and Mary Ruth Wilkinson who wrote a few questions to think about.

Where on Earth are You?

(20 Questions about Your Place) by Loren and Mary Ruth Wilkinson

Adapted from Bill Duvall and George Sessions, Deep Ecology

1. Trace the water you drink from precipitation to tap.
2. How many days until the moon is full?
3. Describe the soil around your home.
4. What were the primary subsistence techniques of the culture(s) that lived in your area before you?
5. Name five native edible plants in your area and their seasons (s) of availability.
6. From what direction do winter storms generally come in your region?
7. Where does your garbage and recycling go?
8. How long is the growing season where you live?
9. Name five trees in your area. Are any of them native? If you can’t name names, describe them.
10. Name five resident and any migratory birds in your area during the past century?
11. What is the land use history by humans in your area during the past century?
12. What primary geological event or process influenced the landform where you live? (I can help you with this one)
13. From where you are reading this…point north.
14. What spring wildflower is consistently among the first to bloom where you live?
15. What kinds of rocks and minerals are found in your area? (and this one too)
16. How many people live next door to you? What are their names?
17. How much gasoline do you use a week, on the average?
18. What developed and potential energy resources are in your area?
19. What plans are there for large development in your area?
20. What is the largest wild region in your area?

“Some unwonted, taught pride diverts us from our original intent, which is to explore the neighborhood, view the landscape, to discover at least where it is that we have been so startlingly set down, if we can’t learn why.” –Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek