Field Notes: The Ethics of Documentation

The Living Record

The final preparation of a plant is not physical—it is Intellectual. In the traditional era, this was the Oral Tradition: the passing of names, locations, and “stories” of the plants from grandmother to granddaughter. Today, for many of us, this process takes the form of the Field Journal.

Why We Document

Ethnobotany is a science of relationships. Recording when a plant blooms, what insects visit it, and how the soil feels under its roots helps us move from “foraging” to “kinship.”

1. Phenology: By tracking blooming dates over years, we can see the impact of climate change on our local prairie.
2. Accuracy: A sketch of a leaf or a note on the number of petals can be the difference between a life-saving medicine and a toxic mistake.
3. Accountability: Recording exactly how much we harvested from a patch ensures we never take more than the population can sustain.

The Ethical Framework

When documenting Indigenous plants and their uses, the spirit of the record is as important as the data.

1. The Right of Silence

Not all knowledge should be written. If a traditional teacher or elder shares a “secret” use or a sacred location, it is often intended only for your ears. Respecting these boundaries is the first rule of ethnobotanical ethics.

2. Attribution

Whenever you learn a use of a plant, note the source. Was it from a book? An elder? A personal experiment? Recognizing the lineage of our knowledge prevents “knowledge theft” and keeps us humble.

3. Gratitude

A field note should start with a moment of thanks. Recognizing that the plant has “given” itself to you changes the tone of the documentation from a transaction to a gift.

Practical Documentation Tools

• The Sketch: You don’t need to be an artist. Drawing a plant forces you to look at its structural details in a way that a photograph cannot.
• The Map: Note the landmarks, not just the GPS coordinates. “Three paces east of the lightning-struck cottonwood” has more meaning and longevity than a digital pin.
• The Sensory Note: What does the crushed leaf smell like? Is the root bitter, sweet, or acrid? These are the sensory keys that practitioners have used for millennia.

Conclusion

By keeping field notes, we join the long line of observers who have walked these plains. We ensure that the “spirit of the plant” is not just harvested but remembered. Your journal is a hand extended to the next generation, ensuring they do not have to walk a silent prairie.

This concludes our Preparation Series. Next: Materials - The Science of Plains Fiber and Dye.