HJA

HJA 1

What do you expect to observe when we visit the forests of the H.J. Andrews?

I anticipate seeing a beautiful paradox in visiting Andrews forests. Amongst the ancient, muted, towering trees will be our small class, conversing with excitement. In a protected area of peaceful forest, meant to be left untouched, we will find signs of scientists and artists, studying to show the beauty in leaving nature unaffected by humans. Scientists with lifespans of only a century research the long-term consequences of human actions, research that cannot be concluded in their lifetime. Throughout the paradoxes of the Andrews forests, I expect to observe and be immersed in the beauty that is an antique, old-growth forest.

 

What are some different ways of telling the story of these forests? How do methods of creative reflection support scientific inquiry and vice versa?

The stories of these forests are most commonly told through scientific research and creative expression. When combined, creative writing and science enrich each other deeply. Creative writers can better communicate and express ideas scientists are researching, making those ideas more meaningful and comprehensible to the public. Creative writer’s work also inspires scientists to ask new questions and discover new things. Scientists enrich creative writers by giving them ample subject material and inspiring them with new discoveries. In Andrews forests, science and creative inquiry are combined to explore a deeper understanding of our place in the world. By constructing a compelling narrative centered around the scientific discoveries being made on site, the value and irreplaceable beauty of the forests can be expressed to the public, giving the public a better understanding of what we’re trying to save.

 

Why is the long-view critical to understanding the role of humans in the natural world?

Humans tend to be very shortsighted when making decisions. We focus on the instant gratification of a solution without taking time to consider the long-term risks involved. We drain all of our nonrenewable resources in order to fulfil our short term needs, businesses make snap decisions to turn a profit without addressing the long-term risks, I eat three desserts a day without taking time to consider my future and long-term health (that dessert bar in dhall though… amazing). We do this because it’s easy. Trying to predict the consequences of our actions years (and even centuries) from now is not only daunting, it usually illuminates all that we are doing wrong. However, the long-view is crucial in understanding human impact on our surroundings. It forces us to acknowledge all of the consequences our actions will have. As a society, we may demand Styrofoam in a short-term mind frame. We see it’s cheap and effective. If we viewed Styrofoam in a long-view, however, we would be able to better understand all of the environmental risks it holds. Thinking long-view is critical because it allows us to better comprehend just how huge of an impact our decisions hold and allows us to make more conscious decisions that are better for us and the environment in the long run.

 

HJA 2

Why was this theme chosen (e.g., Research and Revelation for Part One) to tell the story of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest?

Research and Revelation as a title could refer to many things in the narrative of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Because of the unique convergence of creative writing and science taking place at Andrews, Research and Revelation may be referring to the process by which these scientists and artists experience. The scientists research intricate details of the old growth forest, and the writers express the revelations to the public in a compelling and beautiful way. The title could also be related to the public’s changed view of old-growth forests that took place in the 1990s. Previous to that decade, forests all over America were being readily logged and destroyed without much thought, including parts of the Andrews forest. However, after research showing the uniqueness and value in these forests, a revelation occurred, allowing Andrews forests to be preserved.

 

What do you expect the landscape to look like from the passages in this section?

I expect a very unique landscape in the Andrews forest. The bedrock was altered and disrupted during volcanic activity followed by Ice Age glaciers, molding the landscape into what it is today (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 35). The mountainous terrain perfectly fosters the stream and forest ecosystems it supports. I anticipate a beautiful display of mostly evergreen trees growing together, specifically young Douglas-firs, pioneering the forest after disturbances, western redcedar trees, the Pacific yew, and the western hemlock. These trees will be old giants, making me feel small looking up to their tallest branches three hundred feet above me (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 62). More on my level, I expect to be surrounded by a variety of different ferns, shrubs, lichen, and saplings. At my feet, the decomposition of wood and other organic matter is vital the life the forest is supporting (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 84). Altogether, the forest landscape will prove to be diverse and intricate, complex and beautiful.

 

Provide an example or two of how the scientific context presented in the Ground Work essay is reflected in creative storytelling for the section.

The scientific research performed at Andrews forest inspires a variety of creative expression and inquiry. These pieces help connect people to the forests in a very meaningful way. In “The Long Haul,” by Robert Michael Pyle, the research concerning the important role of decomposing logs is examined and explored. Pyle discusses the value in taking the long-view in an eloquent and compelling narrative. Though difficult, meditating on our actions and their long-term consequences is crucial. Pyle argues that thinking about our future generations is the right thing to do, saying “to peer much further down the line requires not only empathy for those who follow, but also faith in the future” (Pyle, 18). At Andrews, log decomposition study encourages long-view thinking. Pyle movingly drives the idea home by discussing the importance of the long-term view by theorizing looking into the future is the only way to ensure “there will be something to see when we get there” (Pyle, 20).

 

What’s a question you have about the forest from reading these passages?

I noticed from reading these passages about the forest that there are many different objects in the forest that are unnatural. Many human objects seem out of place in the forest, both research related and plain litter, such as the many different kinds of testing equipment, the “empty tortilla chip bag, empty rolling rock can, empty mountain dew bottle,” and the gauging station (Alison Hawthorne Deming, 53). How strictly preserved is the Andrews forest from human disturbances? Would any of the human changes being made to the forest affect the forest and the research being done there in any way?

 

HJA 3

Why was this theme chosen (e.g., Research and Revelation for Part One) to tell the story of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest?

It is a common saying that the only thing that is constant is change. Even while trying to preserve and protect our forests, there will always be change and disturbance. This idea is explored in part three of Forest Under Story to help narrate the story of the Andrews forest. The Andrews forest is experimental, allowing scientists to study the effects of different changes on the forest over a long period of time. For example, when there was massive flooding around the Willamette valley in February of 1996, scientists studying the Andrews forest could discover the effects of this ecological disturbance on the forest, learning more about the species affected and the long-term outcomes (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 121). Similarly, by performing a clear-cutting and comparing it to a control area of land, scientists at Andrews can show the negative consequences of logging in an accurate and scientific manner, as they did in the 1990s (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 152). Research performed at Andrews showing the harmful consequences of many anthropogenic changes to the forest has helped persuade the public to preserve many areas of old-growth forest, leading to many endangered species (such as the spotted owl) regaining habitat (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 136).

 

What do you expect the landscape to look like from the passages in this section?

From this passage, I expect there are some areas of clear-cut in the Andrew forest to explore. Steep slopes teeming with small shrubs and poison oak, a few small saplings daring to pioneer the land, along with native plants such as the Oregon iris, purple peavines, blue vetch, starflowers and mariposa lilies (Christensen). From cleanly stripped lands shaved of all trees, I anticipate seeing the beauty of succession play out before me. I also expect to see signs of other disturbances, such as the stream path changing after flooding in Lookout Creek.

 

Provide an example or two of how the scientific context presented in the Ground Work essay is reflected in creative storytelling for the section.

In both “The Other Side of the Clear-Cut” by Liard Christensen and “Clear-Cut” by Joan Maloof, the issue of clear-cutting is explored. The groundwork sections describe how Andrews forest is helping researchers discover the long-term effects of clear-cutting. The creative inquiry excerpts allow for readers to get a closer look and connect more to what is happening. For example, Maloof helps connect us to the loss of habitat clear-cutting brings when he says, “a woodpecker flies by/ with no place to land” (Maloof, 149). Christensen gives us a closer look at the humans involved in the logging industry and how the movement to stop clear-cutting affected them. She discusses how many environmentalists, realizing the harm clear-cutting creates to ecosystems and the environment, protested clear-cutting. Opposing the movement, loggers were dependent on clear-cutting for their livelihood. It was especially interesting to see how many in the industry not only needed logging, but saw it as something beautiful and symbolic, pointing to a clear-cut forest and exclaiming, “that’s what’s really beautiful!” (Christensen, 139). Christensen brought forward a viewpoint foreign to most readers, but interesting to discover.

 

What’s a question you have about the forest from reading these passages?

From reading this passage, I wanted to learn more about the controversy and opposing sides taking place in the 1990s following the efforts to slow and stop clear-cutting. Do the loggers once so opposed to legislation to protect forests still firmly believe in clear-cutting? Perhaps the efforts from Andrews forests to connect people to nature and research disturbances and their effects could help change the logger’s minds. I am curious to find out more about the different sides of the issue and how it resolved.

 

HJA 4

Why was this theme chosen (e.g., Research and Revelation for Part One) to tell the story of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest?

It is difficult to know the many secrets that the H.J. Andrews forest holds. Scientists work through many different studies in order to discover the forest’s voice. With our own eyes, it is difficult to decipher the changes the forest undergoes and why these changes occur. It is also sometimes difficult to see the true usefulness and unique beauty of the forest. Therefore, scientists rely on other means, borrowing others’ eyes, in order to truly see the secrets of the forest. For example, the scientists at Andrews use stream sampling as a lens to investigate the damaging effects of clear-cutting. By borrowing the eyes of the stream and monitoring the changes it experiences, scientists can develop a more complete understanding of the short-term and long-term effects of these anthropogenic changes to the forest. Additionally, scientists use the sounds of the forest as another lens to study. By examining bird calls through the soundscape, scientists can better understand and see migration patterns. By borrowing others’ eyes, we can develop a clearer picture of the story of the Andrews forest.

 

What do you expect the landscape to look like from the passages in this section?

The Andrews forest is a rainforest. Based on this passage, I can imagine the thickness of the plants. The mushy ground beneath my feet. The heavy moisture in the air. With around 100 inches per year of precipitation on average, I anticipate everything more soaked and moist than I previously imagined (Brodie, Goodrich, & Swanson, 197). I can imagine myself seeing some of the beautiful creatures the forest supports. Maybe we will spot a quiet northern spotted owl perched high in the trees, watching us as we pass through. Perhaps a salamander will pass between our sneakers, unnoticed. Animals thrive under the ancient trees, completely secret to all those unwilling to stop and stare and notice.

 

Provide an example or two of how the scientific context presented in the Ground Work essay is reflected in creative storytelling for the section.

Part of the beauty of the Andrews forest is the convergence of poets and scientists; together they can find “a record… of the world’s hidden beauty” (Deming, 203). Referencing the Groundwork piece on the soundscape and study of birds from this section, and also the Groundwork section on the northern spotted owl, Deming gives us a closer look at the beautiful creature that an entire scientific community came together to save from extinction. When first reading about the northern spotted owl, I was surprised at the level of intervention and action taken to try to resolve the spotted owl’s habitat crisis. Animals are put on the endangered species list consistently with seemingly little to no action taken to remedy the situation. I found it moving, yet unexpected, that such a large community of individuals were willing to help the northern spotted owl. After reading Deming’s piece, “The Owl, Spotted,” I have a better understanding of why saving the owl was so important. Deming does a beautiful job of connecting the reader to the owl. By comparing the confusion spectators have while viewing the owl to the owl’s own confusion when viewing the spectator, the reader feels a deep bond with the mysterious owl. Through descriptions of the beautiful mystique of her flight and her trusting gaze, the northern spotted owl becomes a symbol of the success of the preservation of her habitat. A symbol of the success humans can have when we work together to solve our environmental issues.

 

What’s a question you have about the forest from reading these passages?

It seems that from this passage, many different aspects of the forest are being studied, from the streams and soil to the soundscape. I am curious about how many different studies are taking place within the forest and how they all connect together to create a picture of the Andrews forest and the changes it undergoes. I would like to know more about how many studies are taking place at Andrews and the data that is being collected. I am also curious if a similar experimental forest exists somewhere else in the world. Are experimental forests common, or is Andrews forest completely unique in its purpose?