Why and What For

Why is it worth taking a closer look – at what’s growing, blooming, crawling?
What’s the point of listening – to what rustles, chirps, or sings?
Why smell, taste, and feel – what nature offers us?
Why bother at all? And who cares? (Spoiler: we all do!)

There are many reasons – here are four that truly matter:

Because we’re part of a bigger picture

We don’t live next to nature – we live within it. Every plant, every animal plays a role in the ecosystem – and our lives depend on it:

• Pollination by insects
• Fresh air thanks to plants
• Food, medicine, healthy soil

Those who get to know nature understand how interconnected and fragile everything is.

Because perception is the first step toward mindfulness

When we recognize what’s growing, buzzing, or crawling, we see more than just “green stuff” or “creepy-crawlies”. We develop:

• Appreciation over indifference
• Responsibility over ignorance
• Connection over separation

What we can name doesn’t disappear from our awareness so easily.

Because knowledge protects and inspires

Many plants and animals are endangered – often because they’re overlooked or misunderstood. Yet every species carries a story, a wonder, a purpose:

• A plant that heals wounds
• A tiny insect that pollinates entire forests
• A bird that signals ecological change

Understanding leads to respect – and respect is the beginning of protection.

Because it changes our relationship with the world

When you know that the plant growing in front of you is considered a “miracle plant” in many cultures – you walk past it differently.

Knowledge makes everyday life richer, deeper, more meaningful.

To name – or not to name?

The living beings we encounter on our travels, whether plants or animals, don’t always need to be named. Words, especially scientific terms or classifications, can sometimes get in the way of simply observing without thinking. They can even be harmful when living beings are labeled as pests, weeds or useless, and seen as something humans have the right to eliminate. Earth’s ecosystem is complex. Creatures we consider harmful or predatory may actually be beneficial and play roles we don’t yet understand. As long as much remains beyond our understanding – and it may always be that way – we would do well not to place ourselves above nature, but to respect the habitat of other living beings and all of creation.

We could instead learn again to feel what the plant or animal wants to tell us. Especially with plants – location, appearance, flowering and ripening time, smell and taste, as well as their use by animals, reveal quite a lot – for example, whether they are edible.

However, knowing the names of plants and animals can be helpful when we want to learn more about them. They also facilitate international communication and exchange. That’s why we include their scientific and English names whenever we know them. Sometimes this knowledge helps people develop a deeper appreciation. It gives them a sense of connection to the living beings around them.