Southern Illinois botanist presents the importance of plants at Giant City State Park

MAKANDA, Ill. (KBSI) – An Illinois botanist visited Giant City State Park to inform the public about plants key role in the ecosystem.

“We need to understand that if we don’t protect and care for these places and these plants, that they do not persist,” said botanist Chris Benda.

Benda’s presentation challenges the community’s perceptions by teaching “Plant Blindness” which he says is a term used to describe the fact that for a lot of people, plants are just in the background, and sometimes forgotten about.

“They’re green things that are ignored, and yet we literally owe our existence to plants and the fact that they photosynthesize,” said Benda.

A variety of examples were used in Sunday’s presentation to persuade the public to care more for plant life. Benda spoke about The State Wildlife Action Plan, the Niceification of Nature, and shard quotes of famous botanists on their discoveries.

“It’s important to present a variety of ways to engage people and get them to think about plants and their importance, so that they pay attention to them when they’re out and about,” he said.

Park Ranger Jennifer Randolph-Bollinger believes the turn out of Sunday’s lesson shows many residents in the Illinois area do, in fact, care for the ecosystem.

“I was thrilled to see so many people come out, on a day in February, especially on a day when the weathers really nice,” said Randolph-Bollinger. “It lets me know that people are curious, and they want to know more.”

Chris Benda’s next program will also be available at Giant City State Park on March 3. He will explain the importance of botanical names and their meaning.