Activity 2-1: Get to Know Your Neighbors

Motivation
Learning to differentiate among families or species and getting to know some individuals who inhabit your chosen park helps you appreciate the being-ness of your more-than-human neighbors. Just as the first thing you do when meeting a new group of people is to learn their names, learning the names of the beings who inhabit the park you have chosen is a first step in getting to know them. Instead of just seeing a bunch of "trees," recognizing Maple, Birch, Locust, and Spruce forms a basis for relationship. 
A sign describing the Amur Corktree
A tree identification post at Horton Park. Photo by Tracy Kugler.
Things to Try
Guidebooks for your region from a local library or bookstore and the online resources below can help you learn the names of your park's inhabitants.
 
Plants
Learn the names of several trees, plants, and flowers. Trees and plants are good starting points because they hold still while you try to figure out who they are. Take it slowly, learning the names of one or two trees or plants on each visit. As you return on future visits, practice remembering the names you learned earlier. Start by identifying individuals. Then pay attention to key characteristics so you can recognize others of the same type elsewhere in the park or around your neighborhood.

You might also learn more about some of the plants, such as whether they are native to the area, details of how they reproduce, or their preferences for soil, moisture, and light.
Printable worksheet
Animals
Watch for birds, insects, or other animals and learn their names. Animals can be more challenging because they often move quickly. Sometimes taking photos can help, if you can catch an angle with identifying characteristics visible. It can also be helpful to learn what to look for. You might look over guidebooks or websites targeted to your area or talk to experts to learn some of the common varieties of birds, butterflies, or other animals.

When I started really paying attention to birds, I was surprised and delighted to learn how many different types were around. Seeing and recognizing the less common varieties always gives me a little thrill of seeing a world most people aren't aware of.
Companion Tree
Choose a companion tree and spend time with her.  Just as our understanding of people should not be limited to the groups they are part of, each tree is a unique individual. You may already have a favorite tree. If not, take some time to visit with several in the park, spending a few moments with each. Find one that you are drawn to, for any reason, or no discernible reason at all. Once you have found your companion tree, spend time with her regularly. Sit at her roots to read or think; notice how she changes from day to day and through the seasons; see who else shares her company. If you are just passing through, pause briefly to greet her.
Resources

PictureThis App - The PictureThis app uses image recognition to help you identify trees and plants. Simply take a picture, and the app will compare it against a database to determine what it is. (For plants, I find that PictureThis is more effective than Seek.)

Seek App - Created by iNaturalist, the Seek app is similar to PictureThis, but works for animals in addition to plants. Seek also provides opportunities to earn badges and participate in challenges.

Cornell Lab All About Birds - All About Birds contains information about thousands of bird species, including photographs, recordings of songs, range maps, and key points for identification. Each species also includes a list of similar species and tools for comparing among them. The Merlin ID feature lets you enter the time and location of a sighting and characteristics such as color, size, and behavior, and gives you a list of probable species.

What Tree is That? - The Arbor Day Foundation's tree identification tool guides you through a dichotomous key to help you identify trees based on their leaves.

Master Gardeners - Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who provide advice about gardening and conduct outreach activities. The program is typically organized by universities, and this site will point you to the program in your area. You might find a Master Gardner who would be delighted to lead a guided walk through your park.

Arboretums and Botanical Gardens - Arboretums and botanical gardens are treasure troves of trees and plants, usually labeled with their names and other information. Try taking some pictures from your park to a nearby arboretum or botanical garden and matching them to their counterparts.
Suggested Reading

Braiding Sweetgrass chapter: "Asters and Goldenrod" - As an aspiring scientist, Kimmerer explained to a professor that she wanted to study botany to "learn about why asters and goldenrod looked so beautiful together." The professor was not impressed. Reflecting on this chilly reception, Kimmerer explores the limits of "objective" science, while continuing to honor the knowledge science can reveal. While learning the names of the park's inhabitants, it is important to keep in mind that names are just a beginning and that there are many valid ways of knowing.
Each tree records a fractal signature—ashes expansive, filling great balloons of space; ginkgoes knobby and blunt; honey locusts gnarled and spiny; and one perfectly rounded sugar maple presides over all.

January 15, 2016 ~ Horton Park