Developed by Lenora Davis,

University of Oregon Environmental

Leadership Program, 2020
Welcome to your virtual field trip!
Although we won’t be directly experiencing the
wonders of the outdoors together, we still have lots
of fun and informative activities planned for the
following weeks that should inspire and motivate
you to become engaged with the natural world!
Materials for today!
Take 1-2 minutes to go gather these supplies, if you
have them
● Pencil
● Paper or a notebook
Meet the
Team!
Land
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge and
honor the indigenous communities
found throughout Oregon, specifically
the Kalapuya Tribe which is now a part
of the Confederated Tribes of the
Grand Ronde.

Eugene is built upon the traditional

homelands of the Kalapuya and we http://www.native-languages.org/oregon.htm

recognize their role as past, present,

and future caretakers of the land.
Today’s Topics

Today we will learn the characteristics of

native, invasive, and non-native plants.
Why?

By learning about plants that are found in Oregon,

one native and one invasive, we can understand
more about the natural world where we live!
Himalayan Blackberry
Take 2 minutes to
write down or draw
characteristics and
adaptations you
observe or know of.

We will go around
and everyone will
share something!
More Characteristics of Himalayan
Blackberry
● Forms impenetrable thorny
thickets
○ Can block wildlife from getting
to food or water sources
● Has delicious berries!
● Takes resources from other plants
○ What resources?
Oregon Grape
Take 2 minutes to
write down or draw
characteristics and
adaptations you
observe or know of.

We will go around
and everyone will
share something!
More Characteristics of Oregon Grape
● Has edible, but bitter
berries
● Root has medicinal
qualities
● Leaves resemble holly
leaves
● It is the state of Oregon’s
state flower
What makes something an
invasive species?
Raise your hand to answer!
Invasive species
One definition:
A non-native organism whose introduction causes
environmental harm, harm to human, animal, or plant
health.

Often they are fast-growing generalists, meaning they can grow

anywhere.
What makes something a
native species?
Raise your hand to answer!
Native species
One definition:
A plant that is a part of the balance of nature that has
developed over hundreds or thousands of years in a
particular region or ecosystem.

Often they play important roles in the ecosystem, providing food

or shelter for other organisms.
Which plant that we looked at is invasive?
Which one is native?
How do you know?

OR

Oregon Himalayan Blackberry

Non-native species

What are your hypotheses for the differences

between non-native species and invasive
species?
Non-native species
One definition:
Non-native species may not prevent the survival of
others within the ecosystem. They simply exist where
they have not naturally occurred.

What are some examples of non-native plants?

Non-native species

Example: Tomatoes
Tomatoes are native to South
America, but non-native to
North America!
They are not invasive because
they do not hurt others in the
ecosystem.
Eco-Challenge! (In your yard, out
the window, on a
walk, or online!)

This week, find a plant and

make observations about it to
hypothesize whether it is
native, non-native or invasive!
Then you can do more research to support your hypothesis!
 What’s happening next week?
—We’ll be learning more about
— Remember to bring a writing utensil and
something you can keep to write in this entire
semester!
References
National Parks Service - Invasive & Non-Native Species
USDA - Native, Invasive, and Other Plant-Related Definitions