Moss Appreciation Week at Lewis & Clark College
The Natural History Club of Lewis & Clark College (Portland, OR) invited me to be a part of their 6th Annual Moss Appreciation Week, and it was a fantastic experience! I kicked off my involvement by leading a moss walk on campus, where we explored the diversity of mosses in the Pacific Northwest habitat. We had an enthusiastic group, and it was wonderful to see people connect with the mosses growing right under their feet on campus.
Throughout the week, there were tons of other moss-themed events that added to the celebration. Some highlights included:
- Moss Petting Zoo: A hands-on experience where attendees could explore moss in all its textures, presented by the Portland State University Herbarium.
- Moss Murmurs Ear Forest Installation: An interactive, immersive experience featuring soundscapes and voice performances.
- Gastropod Derby: A fun, competitive event with a moss twist!
- Terrarium Workshop: Participants created their own mini moss habitats.
I also saw some of the most beautiful moss art (in sticker form) and read some incredible moss poetry during this magnificent event. The event wrapped up with the keynote lecture, which I also had the honor of giving, titled “A sedentary stone does gather moss: The secret world of mosses under quartz crystals,” where I shared the story of hypolithic moss.
It was truly a fantastic week celebrating moss in all its forms. Thank you to the Lewis & Clark Natural History Club and everyone who made this week memorable!
All photos and videos below via Lewis & Clark Natural History Club instagram @lc_nhn
