Editor: Jan Weaver  

422 Tucker Hall, MU Campus

Reading Nature

by Jan Weaver

This winter/spring semester I am teaching a one hour topics course on Natural History at the University of Missouri. I have at least two reasons to try something like this out. First, Richard Louv in his recent book, "Last Child in the Woods", chided universities for neglecting this dimesion of education. In his view, the disappearance of natural history courses from many college campuses leaves a generation that is out of touch with how the natural world works. Missouri still has a strong showing in terms of natural history courses, but one more couldn't hurt. The second reason was that it would be an excuse for me to get outdoors myself. 

I want students to learn some common species of Missouri, about its major ecological communities, and the processes that shape the state's landscape. However, the another goal of this course is the acquisition of skills - observing, analyzing and making predictions about the natural world. I'd like the students to learn how to "read" nature, so they could learn from it again and again, even after finishing the course.

If anyone is going to master a new skill, the best way is to practice it on a daily basis. Even Tiger Woods plays every day. To get the students to practice "reading" nature on a daily basis, I need to give them a daily assignment to write down at least one observation a day. Now, I had never done this myself, even though I have gotten journals for exactly that purpose. I figured I ought to see how difficult it was to actually do this daily journaling about nature before I laid it on my students.

The first thing I did was to get a cheap, small notebook. This may seem counterintuitive, but I had actually found the nice journals with the big pages kind of intimidating. They seemed to demand deep thoughts, and a good deal of them. A cheap notebook wouldn't be expecting too much of me as a writer, and a small page wouldn't look so empty if I didn't have many observations to record.

I have been keeping my journal for about two weeks now. This is what I have observed. Tuesday November 14, A buck and a doe in my front yard at dusk (pretty spectacular beginning, huh?). Wednesday November 15, Windy enough to move the tops of trees (kind of a come down after the deer, but at least it was something). Thursday November 16, Night sky cloudy enough I could only see the major constellations. Friday November 17, Counted 12 bird and 93 squirrel nests on the walk home - squirrel nests or platforms sometimes 3 or 4 to a tree. Saturday November 18, At Rock Bridge - 2 layers of trees in woods on a south facing slope, large older oak trees and younger maple saplings- are oaks going to be replaced by maples?. Sunday November 19, Starlings flocking at dusk, groups of 30 to 1000?- flocks wheeling around and changing shape, size and direction rapidly. Monday November 20, Left in the dark, home in the dark - no notes. Tuesday November 21, Rock Bridge, circular patch of green, very humocky grass in a patch of flat woods - remains of a very shallow sinkhole pond? Wednesday November 22, Driving along 8 in Washington Co. Sycamores have very curvy branches and twigs, and orangy spherical seeds or fruits high in branches. Thursday November 23, Comma butterfly - late morning, flying in sun. Friday November 24, Back up 8 to Columbia, no short leaf pines north of 44? Saturday November 25, Shrub honeysuckle still has most of its leaves though most other shrubs have lost theirs - they are everywhere in the woods along Providence! Sunday November 26, MKT, yellow orange foam(?) in the Flat Branch, lying along one bank. Have seen it in previous years, don't know if it is natural or pollutant. Monday November 27, Crickets calling last night. Tuesday November 28, Can't think of a thing I noticed today. Wednesday November 29, Sky light enough to ride bike home after sunset without lights.

Some days, there was plenty to notice. Other days I had to work at it, counting things, or working up a description of something I already thought I was familiar with. And some days - nothing, either because I was inside all day, or too tired to notice anything if I did get out. The thing is, making a date with nature worked most days. I saw things I never noticed before, or saw things I took for granted with new eyes. Even though I only had the goal of observing, I couldn't help noticing patterns, or thinking about why something was the way it was.

Anyway, it worked for me. I hope it will work for my students next semester. Maybe it would work for you as well. Get a cheap, small notebook. Take five minutes each day to notice something in nature - the color of berries, the pattern of leaves on the ground, the interaction of a pair of birds, the shape of clouds in the sky, the way rocks fracture or a what it is a squirrel is trying so hard to reach at the end of a branch. Then, take a few more minutes at the end of the day and write it down. Read Nature. 

BioRegional Quiz: Which butterflies overwinter as adults? Yes, butterflies.

JOB OF THE MONTH: Logistics and Project Coordinator- EarthCorps, Seattle, Washington (WA)

Responsibilities: manage EarthCorps' vehicle fleet, tools, equipment and storage facilities as well as developing, implementing and monitoring of environmental restoration projects in the Puget Sound Region; support of front and backcountry camping programs including the development of menus, purchase of food and supplies, and packing for trips; supervision of crews at assigned projects; project support to project management team; training and instruction of crew members; and administrative tasks related to position responsibilities. Qualifications:College degree and/ or experience in a conservation related field; strong organizational skills; working knowledge of vehicles, hand tools, power equipment and camping gear; and demonstrated ability to coordinate and complete simultaneous projects in a timely manner. In addition, the ideal candidate will be comfortable in an office (administrative tasks), work bench (troubleshooting equipment) or field setting (restoration skills in all weather conditions). The position requires initiative, ingenuity, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work individually and as part of a diverse team. Competitive salary and excellent benefits. Closing Date January 4, 2007. To Apply: Please send cover letter and résumé to: Liz Moseley, c/o EarthCorps, 6310 NE 74th St Ste 201E, Seattle WA 98115-8168, Electronic mail: jobs@earthcorps.org, A position description is available at <http://www.earthcorps.org>www.earthcorps.org. Please let the employer know that you are responding to the announcement in EcoEmploy.com

Special Events/Programs/Classes/Talks

BIG (Big Idea Gathering) MEETING 2: Thursday December 7 (rescheduled), 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Performing Arts Auditorium, Rock Bridge H.S. 4303 S. Providence Road

PEDNET PROJECT OUTREACH MEETINGS: Thursday December 7, 6 - 8 pm, Reichman Indoor Pavillion, Stephens Lake Park. and Wednesday December 13, 6 - 8 pm, Activity and Recreation Center, 1701 W. Ash. Overview of the project (network of nonmotorized transportation infrastructure - sidewalks, bike lanes, trails) and opportunity to comment.

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Saturday December 16, 1-3 pm, Park Office, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park. As part of the annual Audubon Bird Count, Friends of Rock Bridge MSP will host a bird watching hike to record birds in the area around the park office. Dress warmly, in layers. Binoculars and guides will be provided, but bring your own if you have them. Call 874-0171 or email <mailto:weaverjc@missouri.edu>weaverjc@missouri.edu to reserve a spot (preferred but not required)

FIRST NIGHT: Sunday December 31, 6 pm to Midnight, Downtown Columbia. for information and event passes, visit <http://firstnight.missouri.org>http://firstnight.missouri.org/

NEW YEAR'S DAY HIKE: Monday January 1, 1 - 3 pm, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, meet at the Karst Trail trailhead, 163 and Fox Lane (east of Pierpont). The trail is 1.75 mi long with modest changes in elevation. Dress warmly

HOME SWEET SNAG: Saturday January 20, 1-3 pm, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Devil's Icebox Parking Lot. Hike the Sinkhole Trail - with the leaves off the trees, it is a great time of year to look for snags, dens, nests and other signs of animal habitation in the trees. Call 874-0171 or email <mailto:weaverjc@missouri.edu>weaverjc@missouri.edu to reserve a spot

GEOLOGY OF ROCK BRDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK - Tuesday January 23, 7 pm, Unitarian Universalist Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd. Professor (Emeritus) Tom Freeman, MU Geology. Need childcare? Please let us know in advance so we can prepare age appropriate activities -  call 573/874-0171.

Organization Meetings and Contact Information

AUDUBON SOCIETY: 874-3904 / columbia-audubon.missouri.org Meet 3rd Wed 7:30 pm, Unitarian Church, 2615 Shepard Blvd.

BOONE COUNTY SMART GROWTH COALITION: <http://smartgrowth.missouri.org>http://smartgrowth.missouri.org/, 1st Weds 7:15 Boone Co Govt Ctr.

CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING: 875-0539 or <http://peaceworks.missouri.org>http://peaceworks.missouri.org/

CHOUTEAU GROTTO: <http://chouteau.missouri.org>http://chouteau.missouri.org/, Meet 1st Wed, 7 pm, The Casteel Building, 1518 Business Loop 70 East

COLUMBIA FOOD CIRCLE: 882-7463 or email <mailto:hendricksonm@missouri.edu>hendricksonm@missouri.edu for information.

COLUMBIA PUBLIC WORKS VOL. PROGRAMS: 874-6271 or <http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW>http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Volunteer/Opportunities/#PW

CITIZENS WATERSHED COMMITTEE: (573) 526-8916, Third Tuesdays, 6:30 pm, Daniel Boone Bldg

COMMUNITY GARDEN COALITION: 875-5995 or cgardenc@yahoo.com or <http://cgc.missouri.org>http://cgc.missouri.org

ENV EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES: <http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/>http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/

FRIENDS OF BIG MUDDY: friends@friendsofbigmuddy.org or <http://www.friendsofbigmuddy.org>www.friendsofbigmuddy.org

FRIENDS OF ROCK BRIDGE M. S. P.: 815-9255 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org/ Outdoors Bldg, 200 Old 63 S.

GREENBELT LAND TRUST OF MID-MISSOURI: 442-4789, greenbelt.land.trust @gmail.com or <http://greenbelt.missouri.org>http://greenbelt.missouri.org

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE: 815-9836, drop off or buy gently used doors, windows, hardware, tools, cabinets, appliances, unopened paint, fixtures - Mon to Fri 8:30 to 3:30, Saturday 8:00 to 1:00 pm, 1906 Monroe St. Columbia

MISSOURI ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION: <http://www.meea.org>www.meea.org

MO NATIVE PLANT SOC.: <http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org>http://columbianativeplants.missouri.org/, 2nd Mon, odd months, 7 p.m., UU Church, 2615 Shepard

MISSOURI RIVER COMMUNITIES NETWORK: 573-256-2602 or <http://www.moriver.org>www.moriver.org or <mailto:moriver@coin.org>moriver@coin.org

PEDNET COALITION: email: pednet@pednet.org or <http://www.pednet.org>http://www.pednet.org

RIVER RELIEF: <http://www.riverrelief.org>http://www.riverrelief.org/

ROCK BRIDGE MEMORIAL STATE PARK: 449-7402 or <http://rockbridge.missouri.org>http://rockbridge.missouri.org

SHOW ME CLEAN STREAMS COALITION: (573) 751-4115 ext 3169 or <http://www.mostreamteam.org>www.mostreamteam.org

SIERRA CLUB: 875-2916 or <http://sierra.osage.missouri.org>http://sierra.osage.missouri.org Meet 3rd Tuesdays 7:30 pm Hillel Foundation, 1107 University Ave

WILD ONES: 573 882-9909, ext 3257 or email wildonesmo@yahoo.com, <http://wildones.missouri.org>http://wildones.missouri.org Meetings 2nd Saturdays.

Answer to BioRegional Quiz - Mourning Cloaks, Question Marks, Commas and Red Admirals. These butterflies typically produce an antifreeze compound that helps them make it through the really cold periods. They hibernate under loose bark on trees or in piles of wood. They will probably be the last butterflies you see in the fall (I saw a Comma flying on Thanksgiving Day) and the first ones you see in the spring. Question Marks and Commas are medium sized with orangy brown wings that are covered in brown spots and that have strongly scalloped edges. Mourning Cloaks are relatively large and have black wings edged with a pale yellow stripe. Admirals are medium sized and have dark wings with a broad reddish orange band that runs diagonally across the front wing on the top side and underneath, and a reddish orange band on the edge of the hindwing. 

Feedback - Got an opinion? If we have space, we will consider publishing it. Submit it by email (<mailto:envstudy@missouri.edu>envstudy@missouri.edu), snail mail (Environmental Studies, 211 Lowry , MU, Columbia MO 65211), or call Jan Weaver to talk about it (882-7116). MU Environmental Network News is published by MU's Environmental Studies Initiative. All opinions expressed are the responsibility of the editor. Any part of this newsletter may be copied for distribution but please give us credit.

Interested in an Environmental Career? For information on courses, majors, and careers in the environmental  field, contact Jan Weaver at envstudy@missouri.edu, or visit <http://www.missouri.edu/~esiwww/index.html>http://www.missouri.edu/~esiwww/index.html