A Separate Peace: 2011

Louv Quotes from "Last Child In the Woods"

Interpretations of Passages and Quotes from the Louv’s Last Child in the Woods:

Quote/Passage #1:

“Given a chance, a child will bring the confusion of the world to the woods, wash it in the creek, turn it over to see what lives on the unseen side of that confusion…In nature, a child finds freedom, fantasy, and privacy; a place distant from the adult world, a separate peace.” (Page 7)

Interpretation: I believe this passage is important because it is saying that nature provides children with a safe haven, away from the worries of reality and things they may be going through in their sometimes hectic lives. I can’t help but read this passage and think of the story “Bridge to Tarabithia” by Katherine Paterson. The main characters in this story created a world of their own in the woods near where they lived. To the boy in the story, this place was an escape from the confusion he felt in his own household and even at school with peers. By allowing his imagination to flourish in the woods, he created a place where he was in control and possibilities were endless. He was free in this imaginary kingdom, and nature played a huge role in creating this fantasy. It is a touching story that I have always enjoyed and it really makes me see the power of nature in childhood. Thinking back, I remember how I used my backyard to create elaborate fantasies and cleared my thoughts of anything close to reality. It truly was a separate peace outside of the real world issues and problems going on at the time.

Unfortunately, more and more children are not using this outlet nature provides for them because they are using their time on more electronic indoor activities, or because the nature around them is decreasing or becoming lost. If children are not getting the chance to roam around freely in nature and imagine and free their mind, then their minds become closed off. They are unable to see the potential of the world and its beauty. Their senses are also not fully being satisfied. I find it amazing to know how much positive can come out of experiencing and imagining in the nature around us. Things in our environment don’t just take on its literal meaning, but instead become anything we want them to mean. This is something all children should experience, especially if they need an outlet to an, otherwise, not so positive reality. Our imaginations in nature can provide hope to our personal lives and allow us to feel safe. All children can find peace in nature and allow their imaginations to wash away the confusion of the realities surrounding them.

Quote/Passage #2:

“Nature offers a well from which many, famous or not, draw a creative sense of pattern and connection…Creativity draws from other immersions as well…So, it seems, creativity occurs without natural influences, but it may have a different tempo.” (Pages 92 & 93)

Interpretation: This passage was something I had not thought about before and made me realize the truth in its meaning. The passage spoke about how many famous or historical people in our history have mentioned nature as large influences to their creativity and outstanding contribution in our world. These are people such as writers and artists who have made impacts on our literature and art. Sometimes it is easy to just give credit to someone’s creativity by saying that they are naturally talented. We tend not to think that nature (the environment) has anything to do with how they developed into such acclaimed people of creativity, but looking into their biographies and early lives, most of them had experiences in nature that somehow influenced their creativity in whatever they ended up doing in the future. It is very interesting to see that connection nature gives to people and their creativity in the things they end up doing. As I read on in the next page of this topic, I discovered that there was also research findings that pointed out famous people in the 1970s and 1980s (such as rock stars) did not recall any nature experience in their early lives that could have contributed to their creativity as artists. This confused me a bit since nature seemed to have a strong connection to creativity, based on what I had read.

The last sentence of this passage then made it clear to me what was to be understood about the connection between nature and creativity. It is obvious to note how nature and experiences in nature can influence creativity in people—our imaginations flourish because of the infinite possibilities nature provides. To some people these experiences have a strong affect and shape their lives in powerful ways. To others these experiences do not stand out to them as having a strong impact on their creativity. I don’t think that means it didn’t influence them at all, I think it means that there was just something more powerful in influencing their creativity, such as an influencing person. Being in nature and experiencing it surely does influence creativity since your mind is allowed to freely wonder. This passage made me aware that everyone has their own influences that contributed to their creativity, but nature certainly does play a impacting role, whether it play a strong or minor part, there is still that connection between the two.

Quote/Passage #3:

“It takes time—loose, unstructured dreamtime—to experience nature in a meaningful way.” (Page 117)

Interpretation: I found this quote compelling because time is something families and children tend to waste or become fixated on. There are so many times where families just don’t “have the time” to do certain things. These things being like going outdoors for a walk to the park to just be together outside and experiences the freshness of the air and each other’s company. Today is a society where things revolve around schedules; everything needs to be scheduled because there are always multiple things going on during the day. Parents and children do not take the time to just relax and experience their environment around them. This is a problem that is occurring now and if it continues, children are going to grow up thinking that this is a normal way to live and they are not going to care what is around them since their busy schedules don’t allow for that kind of time. These busy lives mainly occur in urban households where having a full schedule is meant to keep the kids busy in extracurricular activities or in athletic sports while the parent works. The book mentions how parents think their child is experiencing nature, being outside in the outdoors in their organized team sports, but this is not an experience in nature that is meaningful.

As the quotes states, nature is to be experienced in time that is unstructured, uncontrolled, and free. It is at this “loose” time that children and parents can truly see nature for what it is. As the saying goes: they need to take the time to smell the roses. This means they need to slow down their busy lives and appreciate what is right outside their front door. Parents can influence this in children by simply taking them for day at the local park or beach with no time limit in mind and no schedule to keep track of. It is a librating feeling, to not worry about time and enjoy the moment with the people you love surrounded by the beauty of nature. Parents need to role model to their children that days can slow down from their busy hectic schedules and they can show them that things do not have to be so structured. It is important to let loose and become free from the burdens we bear every once in awhile. When children are given this freedom to experience and indulge in nature, the less likely they are to want to stay indoors, cooped up in front the of television or playing video games.

Green Cay Wetlands – Boynton Beach, FL

The very last field trip location we went on was at Green Cay in Boynton Beach, Fl. This was a large sectioned area of wetland, with about 2 miles of boardwalks and observation decks. Because this was our last field trip, it was bitter sweet because it marked the end of our course. During our discussion with the professor, we reviewed a few activities that would be great learning tools for children. Reflecting on our own childhood, it made me realize how much there is to learn from nature. This location was flourishing with wild life. We observed an alligator approaching nearby anhinga (snake bird )…. Our whole group observed for a moment because we thought the alligator was about to make the anhinga their lunch! The Florida cooter was also fearless around the Florida alligator.

The wetlands inhabited various types of bird life. One in particular was the Red Wing Black Bird, which I found very spectacular. The Painted Bumpkin was also a site to see! After reading about the very rare visitor, The Roseate Spoonbill, we happened to spot a few in the distance. Their pinkish feathers reminded me of the Flamingo- which is sadly also a rare site to see these days. The Purple Gallinule bird was also spotted along the wetland banks and spattered dock. The colors of the Purple Gallinule bird were very attractive with shades of turquoise, purple and royal blue.

The flora in this Green Cay was very similar to the flora I observed at previous wetlands. The species of flora ranged from waxed myrtle, fire flag, bald cypresses and saw palmetto’s. I particularly liked the Spider Lily that we found because it resembled a white star, standing out among the rest of the flora.

Green Anole

White Egret

Limpkin

Spider Lily

Bald Cypress

Giant Leather Fern

Royal Palms in the Distance

Florida Mouse

Mottled Duck

Roseate Spoonbill (in distance)

Green Heron

Alligator

Night Heron

List of Flora Species:

Salvia plant

Saw Palmetto

Duckweed

Spider Lily

Bald Cypress

Fire Flag

Bulrush

Wax Myrtle

Royal Palm

List of Fauna Species:

Green Anole

Anhinga bird

Painted Bumpkin

Red Wing Blackbird

Moorhen

Limpkin

Green Heron

Blue Heron

Night Heron

Alligator

Cooter Turtles

Mottle Duck

SPCA Wildlife Center – Fort Lauderdale, FL

This location center was very different from the rest of the field trips we’ve experienced. This was more of a wildlife hospital where professional vegetarians nurture injured and abused wildlife back health and set them back into the wild. The executive director of the Wildlife Center, Sherry Schlueter, was a very compelling woman who knew what she wanted and went for it. She told us of her early love for animals and how she was always the child that would save the animals and care for them. Her love and admiration for animals grew into something greater when she started volunteering at the wildlife center. I found it very interesting how she become a police woman in order to later become part of the wildlife animal protective service. She made very strong points stating how the relationship of neglect and cruelty towards animals connects with criminal activity in society. Sometimes humans can be “monsters” and do horrible things to animals. Animal cruelty should be taken seriously because those offenses against those creatures can cross over into human cruelty and even relate to child neglect.

I enjoyed visiting this location because of the variety of animals I was able to view. Most of the animals were in captivity being nurtured back into health. Among the animals observed, were baby woodpeckers, native bats, various owls, and different types of shore birds. I also found it very interesting how the educational tools were accessible with the x-ray’s of the animals and the operating tables. Among the flora species that were observed around the facility were invasive Australian pines, cabbage palms, Indian blankets and fire bush.

It was a good idea that they did not name any of the animals so they did not form an attachment to them. After taking in about 12,000 animals a year, their goal is to “treat and release” hoping not to keep the animals in captivity too long. The Director mentioned that she is trying to keep the “wild life wild.” Following this ideology, the Director believes that after treating each animal, nature should run its course.

List of Flora Species:

Australian Pine (Invasive species)

Corral Bean

Fire bush

Indian Blanket

Cabbage Palm

Gumbo Limbo

List of Fauna Species:

Opossum

Woodpecker

Native Florida Bat

Cormorant

Shore Birds

American Coot

Pot bellied pig

Blue jays bird

Barn Owl

Morning Dove Birds

Scarlet Macaw Parrot

Pelicans

Pot Bellied Pig

Bluejay

Katherine with St. Francis

Gumbo Limbo

Mourning Birds

Indian Blanket Flower

Opossum

Newborn Woodpeckers

Yamato Scrub – Boca Raton, FL

The field trip to the Yamato Scrub was more personal than all the rest of the field trips our group has gone on in the past. This was partially because there was only myself and four other members of our group present. This allowed for more one on one time with getting to know nature at a relaxing place. The weather was very tolerable this day as well with an overcast of clouds and cooling light drizzle of rain. There were so many plant species in the scrub that we had never seen before and need a book to identify. Taking the time to look for the name of the plant based on its physical characteristics was a rewarding learning experience for me, as I am sure it was for others on this trip as well. It was exciting to see the life on this scrub and I was shocked to think that this area (which is now a few miles inward of the beach line) was once the scrub area of the coast and the beach lay right by it. It’s interesting to learn how our land changes over the course of many years and what the factors are that contribute to those changes.

During this visit to the scrub I learned how to identify the different native pine trees that are in this region: the slash pine and the sand pine. Along with the abundant plant life that exists among this scrub, our group was lucky enough to have close encounters with animal/insect life such as an armadillo, a large black spider with her eggs, a Florida mouse, a stunning Cardinal bird, and a surprising Eastern Indigo Snake. The Yamato Scrub is located very close to our university campus and I can’t believe I did not know about it until now. I am glad we went to this location because of its rare species that live there and am happy that it is a nearby location for me so that I can go back and visit it more often, perhaps finding more species I had not seen during the field trip.

List of Flora Species:

Periwinkle (from Africa)

Slash Pine

Sand Pine

Partridge Pea

Prickly Pear Cactus

Saw Palmetto Palm

Bracken Fern

Tar Flower

Coco Plum

Dwarf Oak Trees

Caribou Moss