Portlandness

Posted on August 22, 2016 by

Portland 1

The concept of “place” refers to the ideas, characteristics and perceptions people associate with certain geographical areas or people in these geographical areas. These can be physical, in terms of landmarks and features of the earth, or human, in terms of religion and culture. However, for some, a certain place can hold a more personal meaning, as it is associated with feelings of belonging and comfort. This can be in the form of sights, smells, sounds, memories, or even people. At the moment, I am on the University of Richmond campus participating in summer research. For outsiders, UR would be matched with statements such as “near the James River,” “in the forest,” “liberal arts,” “good basketball team,” or “academically challenging.” However, for me, as someone who has stayed here for most of the past year, it translates to more than that. While all those stereotypes of UR by outsiders may be true, my sense of place here is more in-depth, as the characteristics that make this place unique for me have fostered a sense of personal attachment.

When I think of the City of Portland, I associate it with being rainy and somewhat overcast and housing very hippie people in a very environmentally conscious area. These stereotypes were reiterated by the introduction of this book. However, I did not know that, although liberal overall, there are certainly areas around Portland that are more conservative. Additionally, I was surprised to find that Portland has more breweries than any other city in the world or that the place has experienced a recent boom in food cart population. I had always just linked it with really good coffee.

Food Trucks in Portland.

Food Trucks in Portland.

The authors chose to introduce Portland as a Casacadian City because they hope that most people, especially people reading this book, do not have a preconceived notion of what that means. They state that there are “many standard ways of framing Portland as a place,” such as a place in Oregan, the West Coast, or in the United States, but all these labels place the stereotypical views and opinions of these geographical areas on Portland, which is not what the author wants. For many, including me, the idea of a city that is part of Cascadia is a mystery, meaning the authors have reached their goal. According to the authors, Portland being a Cascadian City means it is a place where change is happening. While there are many tensions, it is a place that is politically freer than surrounding area with its own bio-regional coordinated policies on environmental and social concerns. It is also a place that values premium quality and understanding of life over everything else.

The essence of Portlandness refers to common characteristics people from outside of Portland associate with Portland and how those traits actually fit into Portland. In other words, does each stereotype accurately describe Portland as a whole or only a part of it? In this sense, the maps are very useful, as they allow the reader to see how widespread characteristics—such as “breweries,” “liberal,” and environmentalists”—are within the city. Finally, the last map depicting the spread of Portlandness within Portland ties everything together, allowing the readers to see how accurate these stereotypes are to the whole of Portland when combined.

Portland 2

Urban Landscapes focuses on the characteristics that make up the landscape of Portland. The elements of the urban landscape of Portland—the access to transportation, the parks, the neighborhoods, and the buildings—make Portland what it is today. However, beyond these attractions, there is always a story and a history, which is what the authors are elaborating on in this section.

I chose to read the “Stop! Writing on Stop Signs” solely based on the captivating title. Also, stop sign graffiti is always interesting and wanted to read about the stories associated with it in Portland. Based on the writing on the stop signs pictured in this section, I would describe Portland as very politically active place. Personally, out of all the times I have seen graffiti, there are few times when what was written actually impacted me and made its way into my thoughts, as a lot of times what is written holds a personal meaning to the graffiti artist himself. However, in Portland, graffiti on stop signs seems to be used as a platform to voice the liberal views associated with the city. Nevertheless, some are not just smart, but also funny, which I think reflects the hipster vibe the city gives off.

To represent this concept in Richmond, I would make a map including all the streets in Richmond and draw stop line symbols on the map wherever there are stop signs with writing on them. Each sign would be given a number, and in the key I would write the number with what is written on that stop sign next to it. This would be the best way to depict the overall idea of this section because it includes what is written on each stop sign and where each stop sign is located. I would call this map “STOP (and look at this map)!”

Portland 3

What we see, hear, smell, and taste helps define one’s concept of “place,” and Views of the City emphasizes that idea. It addresses the notion that senses play the most integral role in how a person experiences a place and the fact that we use the senses to evoke the feelings we associate with the environment we are in. In this section, the authors attempt to put together people’s different perspectives of the city from place to place to better understand how the city looks and operates and how it can be improved to provide the maximum benefits to all its citizens.

I chose to read “Psychogeography” because, as someone who is very interested in psychology and neuroscience, I found the section on the role of perception and senses in how a person experiences and understands a place mentally very intriguing. It is hard to describe Portland through the perspective illustrated in the section because one of the main points of this section is that everyone experiences psychogeography differently. Therefore, describing Portland would be hard, because each person travels through different parts of the city and has different memories associated with them, so one clear-cut overall opinion of Portland cannot be formed. However, I would expect that a majority of people would name certain parts in Portland as more dangerous, more vacant, richer, more suburban, etc.

As everyone’s experience with Richmond is different, just like with Portland, it is impossible to make one concrete map to represent the concept of psychogeography in Richmond. However, the mental maps of numerous Richmond-native people could be compiled to make the most realistic representation of a single psychogeographic map of Richmond. This would be called “Richmond, Through the Eyes of the People.” I, personally, would not be able to draw a detailed map representing this concept as I have not visited the city enough to have memories associated with different parts of the city, but I would say Broad Street is the most buzzing area and Shockoe Bottom has a lot of murals.

Portland 4

Popular Culture focuses on the quirky subcultures groups of people in Portland practice in everyday life. Portland is home to numerous, varying subcultures—from competitive scrabble to African drumming—making it place everyone can enjoy. According to the authors, these alternate fun activities are one of the reasons so many people move to this city despite its lack of jobs. Subcultures are just another way people can relate to and play a part in the city. Therefore, they provide a chance to gain another set of perspectives on Portland.

I read the Soccer City, USA section because I love soccer and wanted to see how prominent that love was in Portland. Soccer brings people together, and this idea is reflected in how widespread and dense the population of season ticket holders of both the Timbers and the Thorns is in Portland. Also, through this perspective of Portland, I would say the people of Portland are really committed to both their teams and love watching them play. Therefore, I would agree with the title of this section, as Portland clearly is a “Soccer City.”

In Richmond, the support of the Richmond Kickers could be mapped by illustrating the distribution of season ticket holders all over Richmond and in surrounding towns. This would allow people to see what areas are the most invested in the team and if there is outside influences on this distribution. For, example, are there more season ticket holders in the richer part of Richmond? I believe there would be the highest distribution of season passes for people living in middle class areas because they seem to be the ones most invested in sports like soccer. I would name this map “Richmond Kickers Support Distribution.”

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Portlandness Reflections

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Monica Stack

Portland 1

Place is an area of land distinguished from surrounding land in some way. Sometimes that defining factor causes the definition of a place, other times the definition of the place gives rise to the defining factors. For example, I spent my summer at home in Norwood, MA. Long ago in 1872 someone decided to draw a boundary between my town and those around it. Since then Norwood has distinguished itself by developing an independent school system, town resident only sports leagues, tax policies different than our those of our neighboring towns, etc. However Norwood is a suburb of Boston, an area that first developed as a center of commerce and transport and was later defined with respect to that.

My preconceived understanding of Portland is primarily based upon it’s stereotype – it is synonymous with the Introduction’s definition of “The New York Times’ Portlandia” (8). From the half episode of Portlandia that I watched, I absorbed an understanding of Portland as a city so quirky and unique in its culture so as to be worthy of a television show exploring said culture. The book’s existence in and of itself reinforces this notion – Portland has a culture that deserves an atlas. However, the atlas doesn’t take Portland’s culture at face value nor does it pretend its culture homogenous. The culture of the City of Portland is made up of the cultures of its neighborhoods, and furthermore it’s neighborhood’s inhabitants. Maps are useful in distinguishing and unifying an area but also in showing the variety that makes up an area.
The way in which I thought of Portland was also influenced by its prevalence on travel and outdoor adventure websites, which left me with the impression of a geographically rich area inhabited by an outdoorsy population. The Introduction reinforces this notion with its decision to introduce Portland as a Cascadian City, thereby characterizing it by the geography of its land instead of its location on a political map.
I had not previously thought of Portlanders as elitist, or racist. In contrast, I imagined it to be a city of welcoming, loving hippies. After noting the Introduction’s mention of this side of Portland, I came across an article deeming Portland as the most racist city in America and another calling it the whitest.
Another thing that I hadn’t thought of before was Portland as a place filled with “people with so many connections to other places in the world (8).” I’ve always thought of Portland’s as a niche for a particular breed of locals, however it’s logical that it’s cultural uniqueness and natural beauty would be attractive to many different types.

The authors chose to introduce Portland as a Cascadian city because, recognizing their power as mapmakers to influence people, they wanted to avoid the stereotypical characterization of Portland. They didn’t want their Atlas to simply reinforce preconceived notions of Portland but instead give honest insight into the “Portlandness” experienced by the city’s everyday inhabitants. In that pursuit, they introduced the city as part of Cascadia, a region unfamiliar to many readers, signaling that most people are equally unfamiliar with the true character of Portland. Cascadia can be defined in many ways – as an Ecotopia, a watershed region, or simply by political borders. Portland being a Cascadian City means that it is a manifestation of those characteristics. It falls in accepted boundaries of Cascadia but also has an eco-conscious, independent culture.

Portlandness is the combination of characteristics that come to mind when describing Portland, such as liberalism, environmental consciousness, and breweries. Maps are useful in illustrating this concept because the embodiment of Portlandness is not black or white but rather a spectrum. Some areas are very stereotypical of the region while other areas may as well be in another state. Moreover there are areas in between these two extremes, easily shown on a map with a color scale.

Portland 2

The authors present Wildness as a characteristic of Portland to describe the interaction, and sometimes battle, between increasing urbanization and the region’s existing ecosystem, as well as between residents desire for both modern comforts and untouched wilderness. For example, in Portland it is not uncommon for moss to grow on cars. I chose to read the “Scattered Showers and Sunbreaks” perspective because for a city with so many outdoor recreation opportunities, it has the reputation of having bad weather. I learned that Portland doesn’t have the most rainfall in the country, but it has the second most cloudy days. Pacific North Westerners even have a term, sunbreak, for temporary sunshine that interrupts the cloudiness. I’d be interested to find out how the cloudiness affects the happiness of residents. Perhaps the negative effects are counterbalanced by the natural beauty of the area. Earlier today at work, a few people were discussing moving to California or Florida because everyone seems happier there. To apply the concept of “Scattered Showers and Sunbreaks” to Richmond, I would place two maps of the East Coast side by side, one using a color scale to show the number of cloudy days a year and the other to show people’s reported happiness levels, on a scale of 1 to 10. The map would be called “Cloudy With a Chance of Happiness.”

Natalie being happy

Natalie being happy

Portland 3

The concept of Social Relations is presented as not only relationships people have with other people but also relationships between people and ideas. The section is is an exploration of the type of relationships Portlanders, past and present, have held. The perspective “Mission Invisible” uses only its title and map to show that “the path of least surveillance” between Union Station and Cramer Hall is actually one with no surveillance. I chose this perspective because I think it shows that sometimes text isn’t the best way to convey a message. This map shows that although Portland is well lit and has a decent amount of security cameras, its system is not perfect. It also brings to mind questions of crime rates relative to the surveillance camera density of an area. The map prompted me to think about the blue light system on our own campus. If I were to produce a map of UR representing this topic, it would be a map of campus with the blue lights highlighted and the distances between them noted. This could be extended to VCU and the area surrounding its campuses, encompassing a large portion of urban Richmond. The map’s title would be “Where the Blue Light Doesn’t Shine” or maybe “Let your Blue Light shine,” depending on how prevalent we find the blue lights to be.

Portland 4

The introduction to the section “Food and Drink” presents Portland as a “foodie haven,” and yet again mentions The New York Times’ interest in the area. Food and Drink is meant to convey not only the trends of what people eat and drink but also what less-fortunate people go without. I chose the perspective Any Given Sunday both because the map caught my eye and with respect to a central purpose of the Atlas – presenting Portland as it is on any given day. From the map I learned that people in Portland love Sunday brunch to such an extreme that they will wait hours to be seated for it.  To apply the concept of Food and Drink to UR, I would create a map titled “Dining Dollars Down the Drain” that depicts the popularity of the different eateries on campus on any given weekday. It would be a series of maps of campus, each representing a different time of day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, midnight) with the size of the eatery larger or smaller relative to its current business.

Heera enjoying some local Portland cuisine

Heera enjoying some local Portland cuisine

Monica Stack

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Forest Under Story Reflections (HJA 1-4)

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Monica Stack

HJA 1

At the HJ Andrews Forest, I expect to observe an ecosystem that’s been alive and developing much longer than I or anyone I know has been, and will survive long beyond everyone living has passed. I expect to see a lot of really, really tall trees and the small creatures that call those trees home. There are as many ways of telling the story of these forests as there are people to experience it. Some choose a scientific lens, asking questions that can be answered and then collecting data to do so. Others ask unanswerable questions, exploring the forest through poetry or creative writing. Science gives the world of creative reflection more material to analyze with every experiment carried out, and creative writing may prompt science with never before asked questions. In both realms it is important to understand to have a long-range focus. Humans seek interaction with unspoiled nature, but in doing so often spoil it. We need to look to future so that we can prepare for it, and look to the past to know how to do or not do so.

Old growth trail

HJA 2

Research and Revelation was chosen because scientific inquiry is permeates most of the permanent ongoings of those who work at the forest, as it is such a great scientific resource in the study of old growth forests and their ecosystems. Before addressing the forest poetically, it is important to have an understanding of the physical makeup of your surroundings. After reading this section, when I picture the forest in my head I see green everywhere I look and many, many trees taller than any I have seen before surrounding huge lakes. I also see decaying logs. In the ground work essay, the author emphasizes the ongoing change in the forest, whether it be by the season, year, or century. The excerpt The Web captures this change with vocabulary such as “beauty moves,” “snowmelt sieving through fungal mats,” “tunneling,” and “fluming” (21). A question I have about the forest is if there is any portion of it that is unmapped or unexplored.

HJA 3

Change and Continuity is an applicable concept to explore because the HJ Andrews is a dynamic ecosystem that is constantly developing, but never strays far from its roots. It reminds readers and researchers alike that no matter how long you have been studying the forest there will always be something new for you to observe or interpret. After reading this section I’ve added some large open fields into my landscape of tall trees, and I also image a lot of fog that sets the mood for contemplation. The Ground Work essays introduce the idea of humans as being instruments of change in the forest instead of just observers. An example of this is purposefully setting forest fires and then observing the results. In Clear Cut by John Maloof, he explores the negative side of this human – forest interaction, criticizing the “men in machines” who have “given us sun” but given left the woodpecker with no place to land (149). This section left me with the question of how close people live to the forest.

HJA 4

The section Borrowing Each Other’s Eyes is applicable because both the scientific research and creative inquiry carried out at the forest builds upon and is enriched by work that has been done by others. After reading this section a lot more bodies of water have entered into the landscape in my mind – rivers, streams, etc. The groundwork essay emphasizes this prevalence of water in the forest and this importance is echoed in “Parsing my Wise as Lookout Creek,” which simply by the title equates someone’s wife with a creek. The author’s wife is as important to and intertwined with him as the creek is to the forest. I am curious as to what the biggest body of water in the forest is.

IMG_6174

Monica Stack

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Forest Understory

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Carl Salinger

Forest Understory:

HJA 1

  1. When I visit Andrews the thing that I expect to see the most is a massive amount of green everywhere.  To go along with this, I also expect everything to be in a perpetual state of dampness.  In addition to the lush green, I am picturing huge trees that are relatively close together and create a dark and shady forest.
  2. There are many different ways of telling the story of these forests, with the most obvious being through data collection and analysis.  However, by combining this with creative literary methods, a more human story of the forests can be told.  These other ways of telling the story are necessary because they relate the scientific elements to humans in a way that would be impossible to do with just raw data.
  3. The long view is critical because society and the environment are intertwined, and because both of them are constantly changing, the relationship between the two is also changing, and thus cannot be fully understand in a short term view alone.  Many environmental processes are so long term that looking at them in small increments of time would not yield useful results.

HJA 2

  1. The name “Research and Revelation” was chosen to illustrate the relationship between time spent studying specific parts of the forest and the understanding of how the whole ecosystem functions.  Research is also tied to the societal understanding of forests and influences the way that humans interact with their forested surroundings.  This name demonstrates these concepts, and offers a motivation as to why the Andrews research was started in the first place.
  2. Based on these passages, I expect the landscape to be covered with many decaying trees and plants that have been not moved by humans.  While they have not been moved, from the amount of research going on that these passages suggest, I am picturing the forest to also be filled with man-made items which take away from the natural beauty but are essential for research purposes.
  3. The Ground Work essay “Old Growth” explains the need for old growth and the intricacy of the forest processes.  These processes are expressed in a creative manner in “Log Decomposition”.  The creative storytelling here offers an artistic view of the scientific explanations in “Old Growth”.  Here, the human emotion and feelings that arise from taking in the described landscape are expressed to create a tie to humanity.
  4. I would like to know what, if any, effects does the presence of the researchers and the research station have on the forest and what efforts are taken to eliminate those effects from the data results.

HJA 3

Change and Continuity:

  1. This theme was chosen to show the path that the Andrews Experimental Forest has undergone throughout history.  It has been continuously been affected by numerous environmental disturbances.  These disturbances create a changing environment that can often not be easily predicted.  The disruptive floods and volcanic formations change Andrews experimental forest but are instrumental to its actuality as a place.
  2. I expect the landscape to be more torn apart than I originally thought.  The aftereffects from the logging and the flash floods would seem almost out of place in what is a protected environment.  This would be a stark contrast to a lot of forests on the East Coast that do not have to deal with flooding as much.
  3. The natural disruptive changes described in “Disturbance” are paralleled with changes in “Ten-Foot Gnarly Stick”.  The author in this section is using a piece of nature to reflect on the many changes and unexpected experiences in his life.  He is also acknowledging his inability to know what is yet to come.
  4. I would like to know the exact frequency of major disruptive changes and how the researchers deal with them impacting their experiments.

HJA 4

Borrowing Others’ Eyes

  1. These theme was chosen because it describes how, by noticing small fragments of an environment, we can use those little bits as “eyes” to see the inner connections of the forest.  The many connections found in the forest then can be viewed in a way that creates a big picture and furthers the general understanding of our natural environment.
  2. From this passage, I expect the landscape to be filled with a wide variety of plants and animals.  The trees and rock formations will appear to be scattered across the landscape and will have streams crossing back and forth through them.
  3. The Ground Work essay “Soundscapes” describes the techniques used to capture forest sounds and turn them into usable data by extracting individual bird or insect sounds.  Many of the creative passages in the whole book describe the sounds of the forest, and in this section, “Listening to Water” describes ecological reflection with the sounds of the streams and the rain.
  4. After reading this section, I would like to know if there are any specific areas of Andrews that naturally draw the creative writers to them.
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Portlandness

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Carl Salinger

Portland 1

1.  Place can be defined as the combination of all of the geographic and human aspects that are found in a specific area.  These aspects are often intertwined and can be tied to other geographic places.  I am spending the summer on Otsego Lake in upstate New York.  This place is surrounded by protected forests and has a wide array of birds, fishes, and mammals.  The lake is also the source of the Susquehanna river, which feeds into the Chesapeake Bay.

  1. My preconceived ideas of the city of Portland included that the people there were obsessed about environmentalism almost to the point where it places the environment over humanity.  In addition the people there are supposedly all hipsters  and distrustful of people outside of Portland.  The hipster vibe and the environmentally conscious traits both matched with my preconceived notions.  However, I was not aware of the large number of breweries or how tolerant the people there are of diversity.
  2. The authors introduced Portland as a Cascadian city so as to examine Portland from many perspectives and not reinforce the traditional stereotypes about its location.  This also allows the authors to implement the many ties to the environment by stressing the importance of Cascadia as a bioregion.  To be a Cascadian city is to be a city that is closely intertwined with the numerous watersheds of the region and on a key location in terms of the tectonic plates and continental shelf.
  3. The essence of Portlandness is that no place can be properly understood in the traditional sense of maps and descriptions.  It has to look at the many ties between the culture, environment, and the way that man-made structures impact all of this.  This book does that by attempting to show as many different points of view as possible.  Maps are useful in this effort because they provide a visual aid that can effectively link the man-made with the environment

Portland 2

Urban Landscapes:

  1. The main idea in this section is that people have transformed the natural environment into a more urban one, so as to better fit their needs.  Portland is different than most cities in the sense that it has done a better job emphasizing the needs of the environment than most other cities.  These urban landscapes can also be analyzed from a variety of different perspectives that illustrate ways the culture is shaped by the new urban environment.
  2. Bridgetown:  This perspective illustrates the concept that bridges play an instrumental role in the inner workings of a city, especially cities that are built around rivers.  The many different styles of bridges here shows that regardless of architecture, these bridges all have a distinct role, such as the pedestrians-only bridge or the ones that serve more industrial purposes.  From this perspective, Portland appears to be a city that’s planning has been central to its interactions, both commercial and environmental, with the river.
  3. I would produce a map that shows each bridge across the James River, placing emphasis on railroad bridges because of how they fuel industry and have historically shaped the city of Richmond.  It would be titled:  “Overpassing or Passing Over?”.

Portland 3:

The Once and Future City:

  1. The main concept illustrated by this section is that there always needs to be a focus on the past because by remembering what is lost, there is a better ability to plan for the future.  Cultural history helps to better understand the motivations of people in the present and how to create spaces that foster tolerance and diversity.  A constantly changing landscape forces a need for proper planning and analysis in order to properly minimize loss of historic or environmental spaces.
  2. Swan Island: This perspective shows the numerous transformations that a place can undergo.  The many roles that Swan Island has played in industry, wartime efforts, and transportation can be paralleled with the history of Portland and changes that the entire city was undergoing.  Additionally, the ship building industry further illustrates Portland’s close ties between economic development and its location on a river.
  3. I would create a map that showed each island along the James with each one individually color coded to its purpose, such as being a park, wildlife refuge, or industrial center.  It would be titled: “Surrounded by Water in Many Ways’.

Portland 4:

Wildness:

  1. The main concept illustrated in this section is that even though Portland is a city, it still is impacted by wildlife in many ways.  Plants and animals have not been expelled from the city but rather have found ways to adapt and thrive in the new urban environment.  Many of the people have encouraged this, as “the line between city and wilderness is intentionally blurred in Portland”.
  2. Lost Waters and Phantom Streams:  I chose this perspective because it shows that cities cannot just be built up viably disregarding the natural environment.  It talks about how pipes and culverts are used to reroute streams and infill is used in certain situations to try and eliminate water flow.  Streams such as Tanner Creek run underground across the entirety of the city without being seen.  This shows the drastic measures that are taken to avoid the influence of running water on valuable city infrastructure.
  3. My map for Richmond would show any place where water would have taken over the land if there had been no human influence.  This would include flooding and any potential erosion of the riverbanks that would cause deleterious effects on the modern city of Richmond.

Aerial View of Portland Streets

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Portland

Posted on August 22, 2016 by

Portland 1

Both books emphasize the study of place. Define the geographic concept of “place”. Illustrate the concept by describing the place where you are this summer.

A place is a geographic location that is described by physical and human characteristics. Physical characteristics can include earth features such as lakes, mountains, and valleys. Human characteristics can describe attributes linked to a place including things such as culture, political institutions, and religion. The scope of which you describe a place alters the way it is viewed, such as how Portland could be described as a city in Oregon, a city in the Northwest, or an American city. This summer, I am living and working in my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia. As a place, Charlottesville is known for being surrounded by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and rolling hills. It is also known for being a very cute, liberal, active, and happy college town.

 

Before reading this book, think about your preconceived idea of the City of Portland. From this introductory material, describe two things that matched your preconceived notion of Portland. Describe two things that you had not previously associated with Portland.

Two attributes of Portland that matched my preconceived notion of what Portland is like were environmentalism and being bike-friendly. When I thought about Portland previously, I thought about it being one of the most liberal cities in the United States. While the maps show that it is definitely liberal overall, many of the areas and suburban areas surrounding Portland are more conservative, which did not match my previous understanding. I also was unaware of the major brewery presence in Portland. I had thought of Portland as “hipster” and could guess that there were breweries around, but I did not know it was a central part of Portlandness and that the breweries were so prominent in Portland culture. I also was unaware how dog-friendly Portland is!

 

Why did the authors choose to introduce Portland as a Cascadian City? What does it mean to be a Cascadian City?

The authors argue that setting a place in context has an effect on the perception of the place. For example, thinking about Charlottesville, Virginia, as a city in the “south” brings different characteristics about my hometown to light than if you think about Charlottesville as a city in America. For Portland, where many different characteristics are at play and where many already have preconceived notions addressing the city, the authors chose to introduce Portland as a Cascadian city. Being as Cascadian city means that the city falls within the geographic Cascadian border, drawn through watersheds. The authors’ choice in framing Portland through Cascadia is very important to consider. For one, “[Cascadia] is a bit of a mystery, an unknown” (Banis & Shobe, 16). This allows for more of a clean slate when we picture Portland, as readers aren’t imposing their ideas of a greater place (i.e. the Northwest, Oregon) onto their idea of Portland. Furthermore, Cascadia is an idea for a nation that grounds itself in geographic borders, such as waterways and watersheds. This is important in the concept of “place.” Where does Portland begin and end? Most of our borders are imaginary lines drawn by man. Cascadia reminds us of this point.

 

What is the essence of Portlandness? Why are maps a useful way of presenting this idea?

The essence of Portlandness describes cultural characteristics Portland is argued to possess. Some of these include a multitude of breweries, being liberal and environmentally conscious, using green energy, and being bike friendly. Maps are extremely useful in presenting the essence of Portlandness because maps can spatially show these characteristics over the city of Portland. From this information, it is easy to see which areas of Portland have the most perceived Portland qualities, and how far these qualities reach. Maps help show the characteristics in an organized and easy to follow manner, which help solidify our idea of Portland as a place.

Here's an interesting example of the graffiti found in Portland. It was all very unique and beautiful!

Here’s an interesting example of the graffiti found in Portland. It was all very unique and beautiful!

Portland 2

What is the main concept illustrated in this section (e.g., what is an Urban Landscape)?

An urban landscape describes the urban features (such as buildings, streets, and walkways) that constitute a place. Through analyzing these attributes, a deeper understanding of a geographic place can occur. For example, Portland’s urban landscape shows off its liberal, eco-friendly nature through bike lanes, city parks, and food trucks. However, taking a closer look at the urban landscape, remnants of Portland’s industrial past still linger close to the Willamette river.

 

 

What perspective did you choose to read for this section (e.g., Bridgetown, Under the Bridges, Where the Sidewalk Ends… or Naked City)? Why? How would you describe Portland according to this perspective in a few sentences?

For this section, I chose to look at the “Stop! Writing on STOP signs” map. I chose this perspective for several reasons. First, graffiti on stop signs is something I have noticed in my own hometown. It seems to be very popular due to the difficulties associated with removing the graffiti paint without removing the reflective quality of the stop sign. I also chose this map because the graffiti present on Portland’s stop signs exemplifies the passionate people living in Portland, people who want change and progress. The graffiti on the stop signs shows what people in Portland are angry about, such as homophobia, KFC cruelty, war, and global warming. The stop signs also show Portland’s quirky and humorous side, with graffiti urging to “stop hammertime” and “stop Voldemort.”

 

What map would you produce for Richmond to represent this concept? Why? What would be the title of the map? What might the map look like? (go ahead and sketch it, if you feel you can. Don’t worry about the technology, if you can’t post the drawing.)

One unique thing about Richmond’s urban landscape is the beautiful graffiti surrounding the city. It is something I noticed while first exploring the city last year, and it seems to be present all around the city. Like Portland’s stop sign graffiti, Richmond’s graffiti allows residents to express themselves and, as a part of Richmond’s urban landscape, the graffiti tells a lot about Richmond as a artsy city. The map could be called “Richmond’s Artsy Graffiti” and showcase the different buildings in the city coated with graffiti along with some of the major themes presented by the graffiti. This website shows some examples of the colorful graffiti present in RVA that could be showcased on the map: http://graffitirichmond.tumblr.com/

 

Portland 3

What is the main concept illustrated in this section (e.g., what is an Urban Landscape)?

The once and future city aims to discover Portland’s character as a city through examining its past and its failed projects. As a city, Portland is constantly changing. This section looks at the parts of Portland that have changed or that were planned but never followed through. By having knowledge of a place’s past, a better understanding of a place’s present and its future can be gained. “Considering what’s missing invites us to imagine not only what’s gone but what could have been” (Banis & Shobe, 55).

 

What perspective did you choose to read for this section (e.g., Bridgetown, Under the Bridges, Where the Sidewalk Ends… or Naked City)? Why? How would you describe Portland according to this perspective in a few sentences?

For this section, I chose to read the perspective called “The Streets Speak the Languages of the Past.” I chose this section because nomenclature is something that interests me, and you can learn a lot about a place based off of the names chosen for streets. For example, the three streets near my house are called “Raven’s Place,” “Poe Lane,” and “Allen’s Way,” all named in honor of Edgar Allen Poe, who attended UVA (the university in my town). By examining the old street names of Portland, you can easily find the names of the early prominent members of Portland’s society who helped found the city. For example, a street named after Francis Pettygrove reveals that Pettygrove was one of Portland’s founders. Portland is a city that cherishes its past and the important people who helped make it what it is today.

 

What map would you produce for Richmond to represent this concept? Why? What would be the title of the map? What might the map look like? (go ahead and sketch it, if you feel you can. Don’t worry about the technology, if you can’t post the drawing.)

A map of Richmond to represent the concept of changing over time would have to include Richmond’s rich history. I think it would be interesting to portray Richmond’s importance in different years on a map, particularly the Revolutionary War and the Civil war. The map could include famous battle sites, as well as remnants of the wars that the city still holds. The map would showcase the statues along Monument Avenue that have ties to wars, such as the Robert E. Lee statue, the Jefferson Davis statue, and the Stonewall Jackson statue. The Virginia War museum, located in Richmond, could also be highlighted, though it focuses on later wars. The map could be called “Wartime in Richmond.”

 

Portland 4

What is the main concept illustrated in this section (e.g., what is an Urban Landscape)?

I chose to examine Food and Drink in Portland. Food and drink can tell a lot about a city. For example, Portland is known for being eccentric and eco-friendly, therefore many of their food options can be described as full of “organic production, locally sourced ingredients… and an explosion of food carts” (Banis & Shobe, 141). The type of food available often connects with the cultural background of the people living in a place. Therefore, examining what a city has to offer as far as food and drink are concerned can reveal quite a lot about the culture and habits of people living in the city.

 

What perspective did you choose to read for this section (e.g., Bridgetown, Under the Bridges, Where the Sidewalk Ends… or Naked City)? Why? How would you describe Portland according to this perspective in a few sentences?

For this section, I chose the perspective “Farm to Market.” I thought this would be an interesting perspective for this section for me to look into because I love farmer’s markets and I thought it would connect to how people from Portland like to eat local. I was surprised to learn that most of the stands at a typical Portland farmer’s market contain baked goods, prepared food, coffee, and crafts. From looking at the farmer’s markets in Portland, it is clear that they have grown substantially as time has gone passed, seeming to at least double in the twenty years between 1990 and 2010. This shows that people in Portland care about supporting their local economies, preparing food, and eating locally.

 

What map would you produce for Richmond to represent this concept? Why? What would be the title of the map? What might the map look like? (go ahead and sketch it, if you feel you can. Don’t worry about the technology, if you can’t post the drawing.)

To represent food and drink in Richmond, I think it would be interesting to look at the different kinds of food present at different places around the city. I would be curious to compare a map showing food types, such as Asian cuisine, fast food, Italian, Mexican, etc. to a map portraying concentrations of race and ethnicity in Richmond, such as this one:

race

I think this would be an interesting map to analyze in order to discover if there is any correlation between ethnic/racial distribution across the city with what food category is prominent in the area. The map could be titled “Does Richmond’s Cuisine Correspond with Ethnic Distribution?”

 

 

 

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HJA

Posted on August 22, 2016 by

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?

Surrounded by countless ancient trees, a feeling of peace and connectivity is easy to feel in the Andrews forest.

Surrounded by countless ancient trees, a feeling of peace and connectivity is easy to feel in the Andrews forest.

Old trees means huge trunks!

Old trees means huge trunks!

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successful environmental leadership = ?

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Natalie Somerville

I am currently sitting in Portland, Oregon, with the current Earth Lodge community (aka GeoJames) members scattered around various parts of the city, traipsing and exploring and finding dinner. This year’s SSIR is taking their trip just before the school year begins, which I believe is a great idea – it promotes community bonding so that the group is (hopefully) already on the road to being great friends and can then spend the entire year with that jump-start to community and friendship having already occurred.

As my last blog post in conjunction with my James River Park System summer internship under TLB’s mentorship, I am publishing one (well, two-in-one) more of my reflections, a response to a couple journal prompts I had created. I’ve been thinking a lot about environmental leadership this summer and wanted to try to parse out a bit of what I’ve thought through or learned.

In thinking about environmental leadership, what do you consider to be qualities/strengths of a good leader? What skills will put them on a path to greater success?

A good environmental leader should be passionate about their field and area of leadership. I feel like it goes without saying, but a good leader will be stable and grounded in a fairly or very comprehensive knowledge of their sphere – people can rally or persuade others all they want, but unless they are actually educated and an expert in their field, their leadership will not hold much water. An effective leader will be charismatic enough, and possess sufficient interpersonal skills, to work with people and help their cause spread through human networks. They ought to be energetic and enthusiastic; and a healthy dose of optimism sure helps them retain their motivation and momentum and keeps them from getting too discouraged. A good leader will possess excellent communication abilities and be skilled in conveying and listening to/understanding points and messages and information. It is crucial, for good leadership, to remain open to outcomes and to be flexible. Someone should be able to work with others on a team – teamwork is SO key to accomplishing goals, and a good leader will be strong in working within a team context and communicating with their co-workers to keep the same vision and utilize each others’ strengths to get things done. Skills they should possess to reach greater success: education, persuasion, enthusiasm, passion, flexibility, creativity, openness and receptiveness, clarity of thought and communication, and ability to think in terms of small and big scales – close and far/big pictures.

Define success, according to your opinion of it, in regards to environmental leadership. 

Successfully leading in an environmental context looks like making steps towards achieving your goals, in a healthy and sustainable way that neither harms the environment nor causes everyone to get mad at you. It entails garnering support for your cause with a solid background of knowledge. Success would take all stakeholders into consideration and make the most informed and best decision possible for all involved parties. Successful leadership should protect biodiversity and natural environments while/through educating the broader public about issues and promoting good environmental stewardship and realizing any necessary mentality shifts.

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the importance of wilderness

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Natalie Somerville

As I was recently researching some background into why wilderness therapy exists and into the various benefits of the great outdoors, I read a wonderful article about “Why We Need Wilderness” (http://www.motherearthnews.com/nature-and-environment/why-we-need-wilderness-zmaz04aszsel.aspx?PageId=1). Most of the article is comprised of a letter written by Wallace Stegner, an author and conservationist, to David Pesonen, a consultant to a commission reviewing the need for wilderness legislation. It is a beautifully written letter and does a great job capturing the essence of what the wilderness, that beautiful, natural, outdoor environment, is and what its value is to mankind.

A few of the reflection prompts I created this summer (while interning for James River Park System, looking ahead to interning for Earth Lodge) were about the purpose and importance of parks and green spaces. I have included a couple of them below; I felt like the Wilderness Letter within the article above was a good segue into the topic.

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What is your opinion of parks and green spaces? Are they vital components to a community? Are they wasted spaces that could be utilized for bigger and better purposes? Are they in fact important – if so, why, and if not, why not?

According to my view of them, parks and green spaces are very important physical locations and spaces. They allow for the enjoyment of nature and wild, natural, growing things; they provide cleaner air, a dynamic of peace and quiet, and the chance to not be surrounded by so many other humans or so much chaos and noise. The existence of parks and green spaces keeps some semblance of the natural world and environment within reach of civilization and society, allowing humans and nature to come in contact with each other in a mutually beneficial way, one which neither degrades the natural environment nor excludes humankind.

I believe these places are indeed vital components of a community – the concept of parks and green spaces hearkens back to, or reminds us of, the Commons: shared, public spaces which were owned and managed by an entire community, spaces which anyone was free to use and enjoy. The Commons foster a sense of community by allowing shared living within a context of less regulation, less personal ownership, and less exclusion. I think it is a sad thing that shared living, being in community, and having the Commons are not as present in modern-day American society. It could be very beneficial to human relation, interaction, and rapport to have common, publicly available spaces. This need is met in some part by parks and green spaces – although these locales are usually technically owned by a municipality (a city, a state, a federal government), they are open to the public (within reasonable limits, hours, and regulations) for enjoyment and use.

As is probably evident from the preceding musings, I do not consider the currently discussed allocation of land – to become parks and green spaces – as a waste of space. I hold the view that nature, the great outdoors, and wild environments must be respected, held in high esteem, and allowed to continue existing. Granted, I do value the natural environment and prioritize the retention of beautiful, wild spaces far more than many other humans in the world, who would much more quickly see industry, business, money-making endeavors, and human-oriented and human-progressing development as top priorities. So part of it boils down to conflicts of interest and where priorities lie. But as for me, I view parks and green spaces as important locales that ought to be given priority. Their importance as peace-bringers, recreation-providers, beauty-holders, and community-promoters cannot be overstated.

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What is the goal of parks, reserves, green spaces, conservation areas, and the like? What is their purpose for existence?

The conglomeration of purposefully set-aside natural environments and spaces exists with a goal of keeping some of the wild beauty of nature in a protected and managed way to allow mankind to interact with and enjoy it to an extent. The National Park Service and the national parks they manage, for example, were started and created because people felt like the great outdoors ought to be protected from degrading use or human development, protected in perpetuity so that man could recreate in beautiful, natural spaces and reap the benefits the wilderness provides. Mankind has money in his eyes; the desire for progress, development, profit, and improvement often bulldozes over (literally and figuratively) the natural world and its place on the planet. Motions, laws, regulations, and rules must thus be implemented in order to protect our natural environments from the destruction and damage brought by the historic trajectory of human progress and development. Conservation areas and reserves are created to keep plants, animals, species, and ecosystems in existence. Parks and green spaces allow people to recreate and adventure on semi-wild land and to witness the grand diversity of environments we have in the world. These lands must continue to exist; I am glad, therefore, that many of these locales are protected in perpetuity by laws that cannot be changed or revoked. I just hope climate change and negative human impacts on the world do not harm the protected, green areas too much.

 

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HJA 1, HJA 2-4

Posted on August 13, 2016 by John DeAngelis

Jack DeAngelis

2) Forest Under Story: Creative Inquiry in an Old-Growth Forest

Edited by Nathaniel Brodie, Charles Goodrich, and Frederick J. Swanson https://www.washington.edu/uwpress/search/books/BROFOR.html

HJA 1: In the introductory material (pages 1-14) the author asks the fundamental question, “What’s the story here?” After you have read the first chapter, answer the following questions (no more than a short paragraph per answer):

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

I expect to observe the combination of both untouched and preserved land while also viewing experimental sites full of equipment.  At first, this apparent human trash scattered across the area will seem as a perverse defiling of the natural wonder of the old growth forest, but I hope to grow used to the homemade equipment and see the beauty of scientific data gathering.

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

It all comes down to the story of the relationship between the land and the people.  Scientific inquiry is a way for the forest to speak for itself and tell its own side of the story, but it can only answer the questions that scientists ask.  Poets can patiently wait for the land to reveal itself to them in a slightly more organic manner and record the story as they feel the land has told them.  Additionally, scientific research can start the story while literature can frame it in a captivating and heartfelt way that penetrates the lives of others.  The balance of both science and literature in this story telling project is quite breathtaking.  Simply put, there are “multiple ways of knowing” (Goodrich 11) and understanding the places around us and “cross fertilization” (Goodrich 11) between the sciences and humanities is vital when telling the story of these forests.

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

The long-view is so critical to understanding the role of humans in the natural world mostly because of the urgency of issues such as climate change and the depletion of natural resources.  By taking a step back and looking at the big picture, one can track the rapidly changing conditions of the planet and witness the extrapolated figures that project human kind into an unfortunate, yet self-inflicted, doomsday.  Additionally, the long-view can potentially “offer keys to questions for which we don’t yet have good answers, even questions we have not yet learned to ask” (Goodrich 13).  In other words, collecting information and tracking change now could prove to be very useful in the future.

HJA 2-4: For each of the main sections of the book (Part One, Two, and Three), read the Ground Work essays and at least three other entries for the section. Then answer the following questions (no more than a short paragraph per answer):

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

The first section of this book was aptly titled Research and Revelation because scientists and poets did exactly that.  To research the forest, scientists devised experiments and collected data while poets explored and observed the spaces around themselves.  Both parties then experienced revelations by either interpreting data on the forest’s behalf or constructing literature in a fashion that helped to tell a story.  On another level, scientists collect data and do the research while poets tug at heartstrings and experience revelations.

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

I am glad we will be visiting the Andrews during the dry, summer season as the Ground Work essays and poetry set during the winter seem damp and cold.  While numerous bird species are referenced often, only a few select tree species seem to dominate the wooded areas of the Andrews.  The debris and decomposition scatted among the thriving flora and vegetation should create an interesting landscape.  I expect the trees to be tall, thick and utterly breathtaking.

* 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 concept of reincarnation is repeatedly alluded to in many of the creative pieces while the Ground Work essays explain how new saplings grow from the decaying trucks of felled trees.  This topic is clearly explained in the more scientific writings because so much research and study at the Andrews is devoted towards this natural phenomenon.  It is often the main theme of the poetry because life and death are the unifiers of all people and continue to fascinate the human mind on a spiritual level.  Scientists seem to research reincarnation while poets seem to experience revelations while pondering rebirth.

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

Is everything really covered in moss?  How can a tree collect sunlight and grow if it is draped in moss?

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Moss really does cover the trees as show here on the Old-Growth Look-Out trail.

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

In an old growth forest, it is easy to forget that the landscape is alive and constantly changing.  Change and Continuity reminds the reader that this forest is a dynamic place, but because a simple walk in the woods will not reveal this change, a long term view is necessary to fully experience the forest’s transformations.  This section deals with change and how it is understood as a function of time.

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

I expect to see areas of clear cut forests and areas of selective cut forests.  The Ground Work essays explain these forest practices, their effect on the surrounding environment and the surprisingly resilient succession of new species moving in.

* 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 Ground Work essays explain change and disturbances over time which is reflected in the poetry by reminding readers that change is not necessarily bad.  Yes, major disturbances can bring about losses, but there are gains, too.  In New Channel, Fearnside asks, “why do we focus always on the destruction and not the regeneration?” (Fearnside 124).  In another creative piece from The Mountain Lion, Fox notes the transition of symbols representing the majority’s mentality on forestry practices.  This is another example of a creative story tracking the changes that come with the forest.

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

How much change will we witness during our short time at the Andrews?  Considering such a long term project, will a few days give us enough time to witness any minute transition at all?

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

Borrowing Others’ Eyes is all about witnessing the Andrews through unexpected or nontraditional methods.  Understanding the forest ecosystem via hydrology or sound does not seem like the primary method a scientist or poet would use to better comprehend the land; however, these areas have proven very important when comprehending the forest.  One may experience the forest anew by simply changing their perspective.

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

Because it is the summer, the forest should not be quite as aquatic as described in the Ground Work essay; however, I would expect it to still be very damp.  The second Ground Work essay explores the soundscape of the Andrews.  Many creative pieces in Part I mentioned the various birds and their sweet songs, so this is something I expect to hear during our trip along with the other sounds described in the poetry.

* 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 This Day, Tomorrow, and the Next, Rogers sets up a creative situation where a blind man and deaf man walk together in a forest.  This story fits perfectly with this section’s theme of seeing the forest in a new way.  Because the men have limited senses to use, they must rely on the little that they do have to experience the forest around them.  The physicality of the Andrews is highlighted by Rogers’ strong use of description which really places the reader in the forest.  By the end of the poem, the reader may realize that they themselves are viewing the area through a new set of eyes too: Rogers’.

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

What is in the future of studying the soundscape?  How can understanding the soundscape of a forest be used in a way to better protect the land?

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