Weekly Reflection

The word "economy" is derived from oikonomia, it's Greek origin literally meaning "management of a household." The word has since been turned into a monetary term. In Wendell Berry's book, Home Economics, he explains the importance of getting to know your bioregion as an essential part of sustaining our human well being. We are completely dependent on nature whether we like it or not, and what is good for the air, soil, water, and earth, is good for us in the long run. Berry explains that before we can make decisions involving the management of our "household," the place in which we live, we should first take into account wildlife and respective habitats that are a part of our place.


Last week, I learned a great deal about the vernal pools and wetland habitats that are a vital part of the ecology of my place. I observed many inhabitants and was able to, for the first time in a long time, simply reconnect and explore this incredible world behind my house. In addition I also began putting theory to practice by taking on the responsibility of managing the family garden. Agriculture is one of our closest connections with the natural world and in the garden and around our home, I have been striving to create stable, productive systems that will provide for us while also integrating the land with its inhabitants.


The number one question Berry poses in respect to a human economy in any given place is simply, what is here? This question is the basis of my project, and this week, I continued to answer this question by taking a closer look at "the woodlot." With help from local forester, Doug Newton, I have begun the process of identifying the number of different trees, shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, and mosses that characterize my place. Already I have gained a much better understanding of the different species that reside in "the woodlot" and I've become much more knowledgable of my place. Through my field work, observations, and insight from both David and Doug, I have learned, from direct experience, a number of plants and animals that I never knew lived in my own backyard (including a roughed grouse that I startled on one of my walks).


In the last stretch of my project, I will be honing in on "the woodlot" and will begin compiling information for my map, working on a herbarium, dip-netting in some of the vernal pools, and continuing my work in the garden and around the house.