Garden communication (and nature communication)

I've spent 35-odd years or so encouraging people to learn about plants and nature. The first incarnation was as a TA in graduate school, for classes in General Biology, Plant Ecology, California Flora, and Evolutionary (Plant) Ecology. As a young college professor, I taught General Biology, General Botany, and People and the Environment.

But for the last 15 years or so, I've been a botanical garden educator, which means that I get to encourage folks (of all ages) to learn more broadly about plants, gardening, gardens, natural history, nature, birds, etc. etc. It's been a gift to be able to have as 'work' the mission of educating folks about the natural world. (There are PLENTY of non-idyllic aspects, to be sure, but I won't list them here.)

I've thought about this recently in the context of blogging, as I'm planning on going to the Garden Bloggers Buffa10 gathering this summer (the third of these informal gatherings). It sounds like it will be great fun.

Several years ago, two wise gardening friends (excellent garden writers and communicators, both) encouraged me to join the national Garden Writers Association. I've now been to two annual meetings and been inspired by both. I read posts about the first two Garden Bloggers gatherings, and they sounded great, too.

Because what I've realized is that as an educator, I'm actually a communicator and a coach, and thinking about what I do in that context is both invigorating and inspiring. GWA now defines their profession as garden communication, which is apt, since most of us write, speak, post web pieces, do radio spots, do video, podcast, etc., etc.

But it's also been a distinct pleasure to write about my own garden, gardening experiences, and observations. The medium of blogging has been a delightful way to keep track of what I've been doing, thinking about, and observing and it's been encouraging, too, with whomever drops by to read a post.

Thanks for dropping by.

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Listening to gardeners

Hearing gardeners talk about gardening and gardening is always inspiring, especially on a cold winter morning. We regularly have a series of Saturday morning lectures in February, and I always try to have a mix of programs about garden design, plants, garden ideas, etc., but my favorites are always hearing about personal plant choices and reflections on gardening style.

We become better gardeners, with more satisfying gardens, if we've noticed what we enjoy in other people's gardens and our own. And part of that noticing requires careful observation; is it the texture mix, or the color contrast, or the backdrop, or the meandering path? Why does one color combination work and another doesn't? What suits you best?

Our speakers this morning were both accomplished garden writers, and are used to describing plants and gardens in clear and visually oriented prose. Writers who write to encourage people about gardening also make excellent speakers, I've found, as well as being fun to share ideas with! I'm now ready to think about shrubs in a different way and better reflect on a number of design and color ideas in my own garden. What a nice way to spend a winter morning...

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