Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, Park Road, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
I completed my CFE at the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre in North Vancouver. After co-leading various programs, I collaborated with outdoor educators to create learning resources. One of the resources I designed was an identification guide to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of local plants that can be found in Lynn Canyon Park.
I connected this learning resource to our inquiry spot as wild Fireweed can be found growing along the creeks of Lynn Canyon Park. Fireweed is an extraordinary plant as all parts of the plant are edible. In addition, this plant has served many practical purposes throughout history, such as reducing inflammation, pain, and fevers.
Understanding the ecology and medicinal purposes of plants in our surrounding area can help us to appreciate them beyond their superficial qualities. This experience has sparked moments of self-reflection as I began to think deeper about the principle of interconnectedness and reciprocity. In so many ways, the land takes care of us, and it is equally important to engage in acts of environmental stewardship to create and maintain reciprocity.
M.L.
