Seeking Members for an Edmonton Phenological Engagement Group
Exploring a relational approach to learning our local ecology by Nathan Binnema
Back
Story
From October 2016 to October 2017, I
took a 13-lunar cycle online course in Blackfoot Phenology with Ryan Heavy Head
of the Kainai, using a small area in Forest Heights Park just south of the
Dawson Bridge for my field study.
Visiting that site for five hours a week throughout the year and posting
my field notes on the course web page, I was able to learn to recognize over
100 hundred species at my site by sight, sound or track. I witnessed for myself many of the ways these
species relate to one another – who feeds on whom, who provides shelter for
whom, and so on - as well as significant life cycle events in the lives of some
of them, such as the mallard hen raising her young. I found there were several species of edible
plants at my site, and harvested for myself from some of these. I formed closer relationships with some of
the more common species, such as the red squirrels – learning the boundaries of
their territories and where their middens, nests and tunnels are, and becoming
familiar enough with them that they don't raise the alarm when I come by
anymore. I learned a little of how to
learn from birds by paying attention to what they are paying attention to,
which sometimes led me witness significant events such as a hawk kill. All in all, I was transformed, becoming aware
of a whole world that I hadn't previously paid attention to, right here in the
city! And now I am inviting you
to join me in this journey of discovery.
What
is Phenological Engagement?
In the western knowledge tradition,
the term Phenology comes from the Greek root phaeno, which means to appear, and from which we also derive our
term phenomenon. The western field of Phenology studies the timing of the
appearance of natural, or ecological phenomena, as compared to the Gregorian
calendar. We draw upon the approach to Phenology that I learned from Ryan Heavy
Head, involving three key principles for learning:
1. Our study is intentionally place based, spending
a significant amount of time at a small local site, aspiring to learn about the
participants and relationships in the ecology at that site.
2. We pay attention to both solar and lunar time.
3.
We ask how
human beings fit in to the ecology, and participate in the give and take as
possible.
What
will I do?
1. Select a local study site of your own choosing
2. Spend time each week being present and learning
at your site
3.
Share your
observations, insights, and questions with the online Edmonton Phenological
Engagement community.
Why
should I participate?
Benefits include a reason to spend
time outdoors, the opportunity to learn our local ecology with the support of a
learning community, and to cultivate a sense of groundedness in this place
where we live.
How
do I get involved?
For more information,
please contact Nathan Binnema at ernienathan@protonmail.com, or Miriam Mahaffy at miriam.mahaffy@gmail.com.
A potluck gathering will
take place on Wednesday, March 13th, 6 – 8 pm,
at Rocky Feroe’s house in Riverdale (10144 – 87 Street, Edmonton). For the potluck event see: