Diario del proyecto Metro Phoenix EcoFlora

Join the July EcoQuest: The Leaf Connection.

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Join the EcoQuest
Important: Be sure to include the hashtag #theleafconnection in the notes section of your observation.

WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Any kind of leaf, whether on the ground, trees, bushes, flowering plants, or other spaces in nature that catch your eye. Photograph the whole plant and a closeup of the leaf, if possible.

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This month’s EcoQuest is in collaboration with local artist Mary Meyer.
Mary Meyer creates ceramic wall installations that examine the human connection with nature and the environment. The work is driven by her interest in ecology and the many similarities between human and botanical anatomy. She received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in fine arts from the University of Arizona, where she received the MFA Fellowship. Meyer lives and works in Gold Canyon, Arizona, and is an active member of the metro Phoenix art community. Her work is represented in public and private collections in the US and internationally.

Visit her website: www.marymeyerstudio.com
Follow on Instagram: marymeyerstudio, the.leaf.connection

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The Leaf Connection is a new community engagement art project developed by Arizona artist Mary Meyer in collaboration with Metro Phoenix EcoFlora. This project invites participants to use iNaturalist to share images of leaves within the urban desert of metro Phoenix. Join the project for a chance to see your observation come to life. Select observations will be used to inform leaf designs for a large wall installation that will carry hundreds of clay leaves that Mary will sculpt by hand. The installation will be mapped out to reflect the Phoenix metropolitan area and illustrate the diversity of plants and people in our desert home. The purpose of this project is to foster community and connection through art, as well as bring awareness to our natural surroundings.

Mary Meyer. Biophilia (leaves) II. Porcelain, graphite, pigment, sewing needles, wood panel. 60x180x2,5 inches. Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum.

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EcoQuests are month-long challenges that are part of the larger Metro Phoenix EcoFlora project. Learn more by visiting our website.
Look for project happenings, EcoQuest announcements and more in the newsletter, project journal and on social media.

Sign up for the newsletter, The Metro Phoenix Field Guide.
Let's be social on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Please do not observe indoor houseplants or pets.
For your own safety and the protection of plants and wildlife, do not trespass when making observations. Please follow all posted rules and guidelines in parks/preserves and do not enter private property.
Do not remove or move natural materials (plants, animals, rocks).
Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals and keep a safe distance).
Observe COVID-19 Guidelines/Recommendations.
This is a great opportunity to observe and appreciate nature in our neighborhoods as we all navigate the complications of COVID-19. It is imperative that you follow COVID-19 guidelines/recommendations (wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash your hands).

Do what’s best for you and your community.

For more COVID-19 information and guidelines, visit:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2020/journal/31768-cnc-covid-19
https://www.inaturalist.org/blog/31664-exploring-nature-when-you-re-stuck-at-home
Arizona Office of Tourism: Responsible Recreation in AZ
https://tourism.az.gov/responsible-recreation-across-arizona

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Join us at Desert BotanicalGarden for EcoQuestions and learn all about a new community engagement art project developed by Arizona artist Mary Meyer in collaboration with Metro Phoenix EcoFlora.

EcoQuestions with Mary Meyer
Wednesday, July 27 | 6:30 p.m. at Desert Botanical Garden
Find more information and register to attend for free: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/374596396907

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In this session, Mary will share about her personal connection with leaves and their influence on her creative work, guide us through basic leaf botany, and provide information about The Leaf Connection Project. Mary will have examples of her work and there will be an opportunity to learn how to use the iNaturalist app and join the project.

The Leaf Connection project invites participants to use iNaturalist to share images of leaves within the urban desert of metro Phoenix. Select observations will be used to inform leaf designs for a large wall installation that carries hundreds of clay leaves that Mary will sculpt by hand. The installation will be mapped out to reflect the Phoenix metropolitan area and illustrate the diversity of plants and people in our desert home.

About Mary: Mary Meyer examines our human connection with nature and the environment using ceramic sculpture and mixed media wall installations. The work is driven by her interest in ecology and the myriad similarities between human and botanical anatomy. Arizona exhibitions include the Phoenix Art Museum, Tucson Museum of Art, Sky Harbor International Airport, and Mesa Contemporary Arts Museum which featured her 2019 solo exhibition Biophilia. Meyer is a recent Artist in Residence at Tempe Center for the Arts, and one of 12 artists selected to take part in the Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art (PhICA)Trajectory Print Project. Other awards include the Pat Mutterer Memorial Award presented at the 2020 Arizona Biennial (Tucson Museum of Art), the Night Bloom Grant (Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson)and the Contemporary Forum Artist Grant (Phoenix Art Museum). She has served as a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University and Scottsdale Community College, and teaches workshops for learning programs through Scottsdale Arts. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Arizona State University, and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona where she received the MFA Fellowship. Meyer lives and works in Gold Canyon, AZ and is an active member of the Metro Phoenix art community. Her work is represented in public and private collections in the US and internationally.

Visit her website: www.marymeyerstudio.com
Follow on Instagram: marymeyerstudio, the.leaf.connection

This session coordinates with the July EcoQuest for the Metro Phoenix EcoFlora. This month, we're supporting The Leaf Connection Project.

Hope to see you there!

Join the August EcoQuest: Palms on Parade.
Find and map as many palm trees as possible.
Join the EcoQuest
See them on iNaturalist.
WHAT TO OBSERVE:
Any and all palm trees (Family Arecaceae).

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Palm trees have a long history in metro Phoenix and can be met with mixed sentiments. They are an iconic part of the landscape, but are not native and can consume considerable amounts of water. They have been planted for agricultural purposes, like date palms, and for landscaping and oasis resort vibes. Palms can be tricky to identify and can hybridize with one another! Currently, there are nine verifiable species of palm tree in metro Phoenix on iNaturalist, can you find more?



Palm tree fun fact: Arizona is said to have ONE native palm tree, the California fan palm( Washingtonia filifera. The single population grows in the Kofa National Wildlife refuge and is thought to have been started from seeds in bird or animal droppings.



If you see palm trees pruned like this, please know this is NOT a good pruning practice! Palm trees rely heavily on their fronds to make energy, and they typically only make a few fronds at a time. Some only make one to two new fronds a year! Removing living fronds can slow or stop a palm’s growth. Over-pruning palms also makes them less storm tolerant. In addition, climbing spikes should not be used to climb palms to prune them. Climbing spikes wound the palm tree which do not close, inviting insects and pests. If you must, only remove dead or discolored fronds, never living fronds. Do not remove fronds that have a horizontal or upward orientation.

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Observing palm trees in metro Phoenix can help us understand their population and distribution, and we can potentially learn about their water use in our desert city.

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EcoQuests are month-long challenges that are part of the larger Metro Phoenix EcoFlora project. Learn more by visiting our website.
Look for project happenings, EcoQuest announcements and more in the newsletter, project journal and on social media.

Sign up for the newsletter, The Metro Phoenix Field Guide.
Let's be social on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

---

Please do not observe indoor houseplants or pets.
For your own safety and the protection of plants and wildlife, do not trespass when making observations. Please follow all posted rules and guidelines in parks/preserves and do not enter private property.
Do not remove or move natural materials (plants, animals, rocks).
Respect wildlife (do not touch, feed, or disturb animals and keep a safe distance).
Observe COVID-19 Guidelines/Recommendations.
This is a great opportunity to observe and appreciate nature in our neighborhoods as we all navigate the complications of COVID-19. It is imperative that you follow COVID-19 guidelines/recommendations (wear a mask, practice physical distancing and wash your hands).

Do what’s best for you and your community.

For more COVID-19 information and guidelines, visit:
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2020/journal/31768-cnc-covid-19
https://www.inaturalist.org/blog/31664-exploring-nature-when-you-re-stuck-at-home
Arizona Office of Tourism: Responsible Recreation in AZ
https://tourism.az.gov/responsible-recreation-across-arizona

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