Journal Entry #10


Our review of Barry Lopez and The American Geographies made me think a lot about how I interact and view nature. I will be the first to admit that I have a horrible awareness of what is around me geographically. I have not taken the time to educate myself on places and landmarks around the world, and in my own community for that matter. Lopez talks about “a numbing casualness….and commercial frame of mind,” and when reading this, I felt like he was almost talking to me. I have taken little time to create emotional ties to places in the environment like Lopez talks about. Our discussion in class has made me realize that I need to set aside time to allow myself to explore and create memories in these natural places. Being able to go volunteer at the nature center, was the first environmental immersion that I have had in a very long time.


On another note, I saw the structure and perspective of this class displayed in the writings of Lopez. His comment regarding looking outside of books and taking the time to experience things for yourself is quite literally the purpose of this class. While we did read and educate ourselves, we added the second most necessary component and experienced it for ourselves. I have only taken one other class that has done that. My professors talk, teach and lecture, but rarely actively involve us in processes and practices along the way. I believe that this component is what is most crucial for students to learn and solidify their base knowledge.

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