Healing Gardens

Site and Name Recognition of Prairie Plants

When I started this quarter, I knew the following plants by sight: violet, paintbrush, lupine, camas, chocolate lily, nodding onion, western buttercup, yarrow, and a few others.

I now know by sight or by name most of the plants that we have been given, in addition to a few others that I have been called to journal. I have really gotten into journaling lately, have pushed through a psychological barrier. I had journaled so much before, I had lost momentum, but with this whole new world of plants to study, I have gotten really interested in learning fresh. When I had been journaling before, I had usually known alot about the species I was journaling already. It is much more enjoyable for me to journal now, because everything is new and exiting.

Developed Relationship with The Nature Conservancy

Before this class started, I had done some research into The Nature Conservancy, and I was discouraged about all the controvercy that surrounded them, but I am learning that this type of thing surrounds any environmental organization. Since working with them, I really admire their go-getum attitude of conservation. They are limited in their scientific research, but they aren't limited by the need to do everything perfect either. I am very optimistic about learning alot by participating in an internship contract with them at some point in the future. If I do volunteer there, I will learn a whole lot that will help me with this project.

I have also coordinated volunteers at Evergreen. I have e-mailed this class and my student group, communicated with Daeg, learned about the project, and I wrote an essay to be printed in the paper early next quarter. I am having some philosophical misgivings about printing my article due to the language that I use surrounding my descriptions of the ethnobiological techniques of the Salish peoples of this area, but I will be seeking advice from several people regarding this matter.

On the Ground Work at my Garden Site

Ahh, so here's the catch, I haven't actually done much with my site! I have taken pictures and measurements, drawn sketches, sat with the plants, and raked, developed a plan for planting, and have transported seed to my fridge for storage, but thats about it. I am actually ok with this fact because the first principle of Permaculture is observation. Also, I don't have many plants that I want to keep already, and need to remove a large amount of turf, and plant, and seed, and mulch, and watch, etc. I am starting this winter quarter.

-Laura Donohue