Tree and Flower Identification

Yesterday was my day at my friends farm. We spent the day wondering her pastures trying to identify her trees and flower growing there. If was so much fun (and also great exercise going up and down the hills). She home schools her son as we home school our daughters. They are currently working on a tree unit. We were identifying their trees and plants so she could send her son on a nature scavenger hunt this week.

My parents were nature lovers. They did not camp or hike but loved to garden. They grew up on farms and in farming communities all of their lives. Their parents had taught them the names of plants and trees and how to identify them. They passed much of that knowledge on to me. It was done in a fun way. When we came to plants it was not called a "tree" or "flower" but a red oak, hickory, goldenrod, black-eyed susan, etc. Through this technique I became quite familiar with the names of plants and trees. As an adult I carry ID books when we hike and try to learn the names of the trees and flowers around me. Trust me I still have a minimal knowledge. I have tried to use the same technique with my children.

I bring this up because today we seem to be so detached from nature. How do we expect people to do the right thing for the planet if they don't even know what the beautiful natural things around them do or even are called. I am trying to instill a love of nature and an awe of the wonderful creation God has given us in my children and the home school children I teach science to each year.

Try to take some time this week to learn about the "nature" around you. Walk around your yard; learn the names of the flowers and trees that grow there. If you know them, teach your children. Go for walks in the woods. Take basic guidebooks with you. Look up the names of flowers, birds and trees that you see. I think you will be surprised at the amazing things that you see before you.

Happy IDing!