Hi Sherry. That sounds like the "Developing a Sense of Place" exercise. I've done it myself in an "environmental biology" course, both as a student and as a teaching assistant for the same course. It's a great semester-long exercise, and students definitely get out of it what they put into it - some may take it very shallowly, but those who really dig into it will find it a very rewarding experience.
This specific exercise is found in "BioSphere 2000", an introduction to environmental science textbook by Don Kaufman and Cecilia Franz of Miami University (Oxford, Ohio, USA), but it's based upon a list in "Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered" by Bill Devall and George Sessions. I've copied the list of 30 questions below, for everyone following this thread. Presumably if you've read this far, you have some interest in the content! I'm happy to disseminate this list -- adapt it as you see fit, of course -- and would love to see it be used more widely. Even though many current students are aware of general environmental issues, they often lack the kind of local connection or "grounding" that this exercise can provide. cheers John D. Perrine, PhD Assistant Professor / Associate Curator of Mammals Biological Sciences Department California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401 ---- Developing a Sense of Place from: Donald G. Kaufman and Cecilia M. Franz. 1996. Biosphere 2000: Protecting our Global Environment, 2nd ed. Kendall / Hunt Publishing, Dubuque, Iowa, USA. p. 579. 1. Trace the water you drink from precipitation to tap. 2. How many days until the moon is full (plus or minus a couple of days)? (From your birthday this year.) 3. Describe the soil around your home. 4. What were the primary subsistence techniques of the culture(s) that lived in your area before you? 5. Name five native edible plants in your bioregion and their season(s) of availability. 6. From what direction do winter storms generally come in your region? 7. Where does your garbage go? 8. How long is the growing season where you live? 9. On what day of the year are the shadows the shortest where you live? 10. Name five trees in your area. Are any of them native? If you cant name names, describe them. 11. Name five resident and five migratory birds in your area. 12. What is the land-use history by humans in your bioregion during the past century? 13. What primary geological event / process influenced the land form where you live? (Explain.) 14. Name at least three species that have become extinct in your area. 15. What are the major plant associations in your region? 16. Trace your wastewater from toilet to precipitation. 17. What spring wildflower is consistently among the first to bloom where you live? 18. What kinds of rocks and minerals are found in your bioregion? 19. List five adaptations for winter survival that plants and animals exhibit in your area. 20. Name some beings (nonhuman) which share your place. 21. Do you celebrate the turning of the summer and winter solstices? If so, how do you celebrate? 22. How many people live next door to you? What are their names? 23. How much gasoline do you use a week, on the average? 24. What energy costs you the most money? What kind of energy is it? 25. What developed and potential energy resources are in your area? 26. What plans are there for massive development of energy or mineral resources in your bioregion? 27. What is the largest or closest wilderness area in or near your bioregion? 28. Interview a conservation, environmental or ecology professional in your bioregion for his/her sense of place. 29. Interview an environmental activist from your region for his/her sense of place. 30. How long has it been since youve walked beyond where the sidewalk ends (why so long)? Take a walk in a special place on a special day with a special person (optional). Describe your experience. (Adapted from a list found in Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered, Devall and Sessions, Gibbs, Smith, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah.) -end-
