The Contribution of Reflective Writing to Ecological Awareness at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
The natural world has inspired the work of numerous writers, from the timeless classics ofHenry David Thoreau and Rachel Carson to modem bestsellers Gretel Ehrlich and Barry Lopez. Nature writers come from myriad backgrounds and motivations-as naturalists, biologists, anthropologists, poets, essayists, and activists. This diversity of perspectives has been invaluable in fostering an awareness of environmental issues and connecting audiences with nature.
Bringing writers and scientists together in the field presents an intriguing study of”cross-pollination.” While there are few examples of this interdisciplinary interaction, the potential exists at H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest (the Andrews Forest) in the Oregon Cascades. The Long-Term Ecological Reflections project at the Andrews Forest invites writers to reflect on the forest ecosystem, and they participate in a project that attempts to create an interdisciplinary examination of ecological processes over time. My original research question looked at how humanist writers interact with scientists in the field, and if the writers and scientists consistently engaged in a fruitful cross-pollination of ideas across disciplines. I discovered, however that this exchange does not exist in the capacity I anticipated. In the projects first five years, both writers and scientists largely work independently and direct communication remains limited.
My focus has shifted to examining how the writing reflections can teach us about the complexity, diversity, and dynamic long-term processes ofthe forest ecosystem, as well as our human connection to the natural world. What is the potential ofthe Long-Term Ecological Reflections project to impart a deeper “ecological awareness” to a broader public audience outside the Andrews community? The significant body of scientific research at the Andrews Forest does influence the writers’ work, and it appears the combination of writing in the field and exposure to scientific research has contributed to the overall quality of the Reflections project.
My definition of ecological awareness is a fusion ofperspectives (science and art) that fosters a comprehensive understanding ofthe natural environment. This awareness requires a thorough approach that recognizes the elements of human emotion, and spirituality as well as the scientific perspective. Figure 1, created both for clarity and as a basis for my argument, outlines a proposed model for achieving this ecological awareness. It diagrams how bringing scientists and humanists together in a natural environment results in a more complete understanding ofthe natural world that includes both scientific and artistic ways of knowing.
At the Andrews Forest, both perspectives utilize direct, personal experience in the field. Physical immersion in nature, combined with the foundational knowledge of science and the attention to human emotion and connection to place, coalesce to form a more comprehensive understanding ofthe ecosystem. Of course, the respective tools and methods of each discipline are not exclusive to either science or art.
However, utilizing each ofthese methods makes our understanding of the natural environment more complete. I define this understanding, or ecological awareness, as encompassing five primary areas:
- Knowledge of Biota & Ecological Processes: knowledge of the flora and fauna present in place, how those organisms interact with each other and their environment; a knowledge of the relevance/roles of other ecological forces (i.e. hydrologic, geologic, climatic, and biogeochemical)
- Spatial/Temporal Awareness: a “long-term” perspective, or an ability to envision processes and changes beyond the scale of a single human lifetime as well as an ability to sense how communities or ecosystems fit into the broader scheme of a biome and the biosphere
- Sense of Place: recognition of a landscape or geographical space; knowledge of locally-significant environmental patterns, an awareness of change; an ability to discern minute details; utilization of multiple senses to learn about a place
- Personal Connection to Nature: a feeling of belonging and an emotional attachment to a place; a recognition that humans are not separate from the natural environment, but participants within it
- Curiosity and Critical Inquiry: a desire to explore and learn more about an ecosystem or a place stemming from the preceding four points
These five areas work together to form a more comprehensive understanding of the natural world that involves science, creativity, and a connection to the environment.
My objective is to provide an in-depth discussion of how reflective literary writing imparts this deeper understanding, for both the writer and reader. Secondarily, I will propose suggestions to the Reflections project as it progresses.
Continue reading Rob Hoshaw’s “The Contribution of Reflective Writing.”
