We took a brisk walk for a quick site survey visit last week. It was a cool, reasonably dry autumn day. On the way up to the site, we passed troves of Tilia cordata (Small-leaved Lime) trees, a beautiful specimen of Quercus ilex (Holm Oak); I can even remember the shape of the Betula pendula’s (Silver Birch) graceful branches almost “accidentally-on-purpose” learning to get ones attention into the road. Even the Gorilla Prunus cerasifera!

I remember the Doctor Who! police box, even the blue women behind the cars! All of this almost to pin point accuracy.

But why is it, when came to the less interesting and most likely more important information to recall regarding the forms, shapes, buildings etc did I fall a little short?

Having previously studied psychology and written a little book called “How to Remember Plant Names – the Fun Way”. I know that human minds have an associated memory; to remember more effectively, it links things together. And to remember better and for longer if we have an emotional link or connection, e.g. we are passionate, we like it, or interested in it, we’re most definitely more likely to remember it.

Why I didn’t remember things also, could be that I wasn’t looking at the right things. I didn’t go with a survey check list to keep me and my over excited mind on task.

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t fail miserably at not remembering, I just didn’t remember details that would be really handy going forward.

Above was a collaborative memory task. This is the power of team work! It was positive reinforcement, we all got excited about what we could remember, joking and laughing, so now, by association we will remember it longer.

I will be going back to site, with a site appraisal check list ensuring to capturing real data. I will have more time to be still in the place and absorb what is around me as well as what I just see.

1. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-associative-memory-5198601
2. How to Learn Plant Names – The Fun Way! A. E. Jones 2023 (link to be updated)
3. https://cognitiontoday.com/why-fun-improves-learning-mood-senses-neurons-arousal-cognition/