Yes, of course there is a scientific term for our inability to recognize and relate with the natural world around us! Now is the perfect time to make a change in the way you view all of that green stuff outside that we often take for granted. Often referred to ask ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’ or ‘Plant Blindness’, this is a bad habit we can change! Here are some things we can do to be better stewards, observers, and appreciators of our environment.
The Importance of Plants
In a previous blog post focused on the importance of fresh air, we talked about the health benefits of getting outside and breathing in the good stuff. On a very related note, Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD, if you like) describes the gap that is forming between our attention to plants and the way we view nature’s benefits to our individual and societal well being. NDD was introduced to us in 2005 by Richard Louv, the co-founder of The Children and Nature Network and author of best-selling book “Last Child in the Woods”.
Caused by an increase in screen time, fewer open green spaces, lack of educational opportunities focused on the natural world, and human fear caused by news and media, NDD is more broadly wrapped into the “epidemic of inactivity” which pervades our society today. A quote from Louv’s website sums this up well:
An expanding body of scientific evidence suggests that nature-deficit disorder contributes to a diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, conditions of obesity, and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses. Research also suggests that the nature-deficit weakens ecological literacy and stewardship of the natural world.
As a daughter of a botanist and an environmental scientist myself, I completely understand how this gap was formed. With so much to learn through our schooling and so little time spent outdoors participating in ‘unstructured play’, plants are easily overlooked. It was not until college that I truly learned and committed plant species and their uses to memory. The beautiful thing is- like all learning- once it is in your brain it is there to stay!
Taking the time actually learn a few facts about nature opened up a whole new world of life around me. From a moving vehicle I can pick out tree species and know what type of ecosystem exists along the roadway. On a walk I can appreciate flowers and grasses by name and pull plants that I know have sticky stems or unique smelling leaves to share with those around me. In my yard I can decide what plants serve a purpose and I can remove plants that might harm my pets, children, or the ecosystem I have created to live in.
Train Your Brain to See the Natural World Around You
It sounds like a lot, I know. Your brain knows it is hard too! Our brains intentionally clump plants together because they tend to move only with the wind, grow close together, and are similar shades of color. This article from the BBC cites our brains receiving 10 million pieces of visual data per second through the human eye, with our visual system filtering out anything that is deemed non-threatening and unfamiliar.
The author points out that most humans will remember the color and type of the last animal they saw, but would be very unlikely to remember any details of the last plant they saw. Plant Blindness is an example of humans visually recognizing what they already know and glossing over things that don’t remind us of, well… us.
Similarily, in ‘Plant blindness is a real thing: why its a real problem too‘ authored by The Conversation, researchers have agreed on this:
Our inability to see and notice plants is because they lack visual attention cues. They don’t have a face; they don’t move in the way that animals do; and they aren’t threatening. Our eye-brain system and the visual cortex filter out so much “data” from what we see daily that most of the visual information about the plants we see is discarded.
We can do more to train our brain to notice and invite more information into our minds about the world around us!
These articles specifically mention today’s younger generations as being the most ‘at risk’ for suffering from this in the future. Plants are directly linked to our research and efforts to combat climate change, food scarcity, and mental illness in future populations. Thousands of plant species are used in medicines and treatments around the world to keep us healthy and in all of our diets to allow our bodies to thrive. Knowing about the plants you use and experience in your life will go a long ways in curing your Nature Deficit Disorder!
Ways to Combat Plant Blindness
Here are a few suggestions that ANYONE can use around your house and in your communities to become more plant-literate! Nature is meant to be experienced- don’t feel bad picking some plants to hold close for a better look or to bring home for more research! Your mind will be glad you did.
- Nature Art! Use leaves, flowers, twigs and seeds to create unique posters and pictures. Stamp with mushrooms, press or dry flowers, build figurines with twigs and so much more!
- Nature Scavenger Hunt! These templates are for the kiddos, but adults I challenge you to go out and identify three trees in your yard! Use simple techniques like leaf shape, seed type, and color to learn the difference between oaks and maples, pines and spruces.
- Support your local state and national parks! Spend a couple of extra minutes of your trip looking closely at the plants around you- are there ferns? Cattails? Moss? You will be surprised how much you already know about nature when you take the time to look!
- Plant something new! Go to your local greenhouse and pick out a new plant to enjoy as a family. This new ‘pet’ can have a name and can go inside or out in the yard! Learn a few things from the plant’s tag about the species and care.
As I write this, it is spring and we are all suffering from a global pandemic. There could be no better time than now to step outside and learn a thing or two for yourself and your family! With kids out of school- give them an opportunity to learn what they may not have in the classroom. Connect with nature- a force that is not going to change no matter how turbulent our lives are!
