Abstract Detail

Teaching Section

Gimma , Katy Lynn [1], Burgess, Michael B. [2].

Establishing a learning landscape to counteract plant blindness.

The National Research Council proclaimed that “our knowledge about the world around us is incomplete if we do not place sufficient emphasis on plant life”. Despite the obvious importance of plants in supporting human civilization and a healthy biosphere, plant blindness is a common phenomenon. A recent study suggests a botany curriculum focused on useful plants, such as medicinal plants and stimulant herbal drugs, can potentially counteract plant blindness. In addition to this model we propose establishing a learning landscape comprised of a living collection of useful plants. The purpose of the learning landscape is to compliment formal botany instruction, serve as a resource for interdisciplinary study, and support public programming. To develop our living collection we have identified 75 common medicinal, edible, and economically important plants. This list includes a broad taxonomic representation of plants native to northeast North America, commonly used by Native Americans , and regularly encountered by people. We propogated plants by seed or cutting at the SUNY Plattsburgh greenhouse. Plants were transplanted with labels into landscape beds surrounding the main entrance of the SUNY Plattsburgh science building. A learning landscape facilitates a physical connection between plants and people, which we hypothesize can counteract plant blindness

1 - SUNY Plattsburgh, Biological Science, 101 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY, 12901, United States
2 - SUNY Plattsburgh, 2 Old State Rd, Ausable Chasm, NY, 12911, USA

Keywords:
plant blindness
learning landscape
experiental education
botany education
ethnobotany.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PTE011
Abstract ID:802
Candidate for Awards:None