Sustain Mizzou’s guided forest walk provided an opportunity to learn about plants native to Columbia
Local forestry expert, Gina Beebe, led Sustain Mizzou’s first Guided Forest Walk. The walk took place on Thursday, Oct. 5, at Capen Park. The aim of the walk was to educate students about the basics of plant identification, natural history and different uses of common plants. Beebe has a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Missouri and is currently working for the university’s Center for Agroforestry.
The Capen Park entrance sign on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023, at Capen Park, in Columbia, Mo. This year Sustain Mizzou hosted their first ever Guided Forest Walk led by forestry expert, Gina Beebe. “We’re not separate from nature, so I don’t love using that term,” said Beede. “So I really like referring to it as connecting to our landscape, connecting to our natural communities, as opposed to our human communities.” People walk along the trail, led by Beebe. “I love just bringing people outside because one of the most healing and beautiful components of my life is that connection with the natural world,” said Beebe. “It’s being able to really see and feel and be a part of what we call nature.” Beebe stands in front of an autumn olive. While on the walk, Beebe introduced a variety of plants including honeysuckle, poison ivy, white oak and the autumn olive. “It is kind of at first glance similar to honeysuckle, especially because it’s producing these red berries,” said Beebe. “But autumn olive has alternate leaves and silvery backsides. So, it is different, and one thing about autumn olives that is way more fun is it’s actually edible.” Students pick autumn olive berries from a nearby bush. Beebe explained the basics of foraging for berries and other plants. While there are quite a few berries and leaves that are edible, Beebe explained how important it is to be able to identify the different types. “How we’ve learned through millennia is actually cultivating a relationship with plants,” said Beebe. And to do that we have to be with the plants, we have to start to get to know our neighbors, by their name, their shape, their form and also just be spending time with them.” Beebe explains the science behind the appearance of trees. “To get that nice beautiful fall color spectrum it has to be warm during the day and then cold at night,” said Beebe. “So essentially, when it’s warm during the day, trees are photosynthesizing, and then when it’s cold at night they close their stomata and it traps in those sugars.”
Edited by Hannah Schuh | hschuh@themaneater.com
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