This week we’re featuring a guest piece by Andrew Hesser, founder of Bryan’s Quest. Taking on the role of “Bryan”, Andrew has set up a YouTube channel dedicated to exploring nature, which complements the activities of the Sensing Nature project.
In the first short film, released this month, Bryan aims to demonstrate how a blind person could approach the task of planting a tree.
In the film, we see Bryan approaching a thickly grassed patch of ground. One of his challenges is to remove a one metre square patch of turf, in order for the tree to be planted in the middle and not be overcome by the grass, as well as leaving plenty of exposed soil to absorb rainwater.
In previous tree planting attempts, Bryan began by estimating a one meter square patch, using a central wooden stake. He then sliced through the turf with his sharp spade and removed the top layer to reveal the soil.
Although successful, this method was a bit hit-and-miss and Bryan was not satisfied with the resulting misshapen rectangular patch of earth, especially when compared with the neat edges he thought that sighted people might achieve. Bryan had a rethink.
The video reveals that Bryan now uses an old car tyre to act as a guide; he bangs a stake into the ground, places the tyre over the post and lays it down horizontally.
He then uses his spade to carefully cut a line vertically down through the turf, following the outside of the tyre all the way around. When he lifts the tyre away, he is left with a neat circular cut, which enables him to lift the grass by pushing his spade almost horizontally under the turf and rolling it back. The result is a round patch of clear soil, all ready for Bryan to dig a hole in the centre.
For more nature-related access issues and to discover what else Bryan gets up to in the great outdoors, please do visit his YouTube channel or visit his website bryansquest.org.
It has been brilliant collaborating with Andrew throughout the Sensing Nature project. He urges everyone to try some tree planting or other conservation work.
If you do have any interesting nature experiences or come up against any visual impairment-related barriers to full participation, please do let him know using the contact form on the Bryan’s Quest website (bryansquest.org/contact) or via Twitter using his handle @BryansQuest.
