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How to identify big-leaf maple
Maple leaves might look familiar… I can guarantee that you’ve seen a maple leaf before—it’s plastered right on the front…
Learn how to identify trees, flowers, and ferns throughout Oregon!
Welcome to the Learn Oregon Plants blog! I write intuitive, experience-based articles teaching people how to identify Oregon’s trees, wildflowers, shrubs, and ferns. My goal? To make plant identification as fun and easy as possible! So whether you’re an outdoor adventurer who wants to learn about edible plants, a backyard naturalist who wants to learn more about their neighborhood ecosystem, a gardener who wants to learn more about native plant species, or an environmental activist who wants to feel more connected to nature, the Learn Oregon Plants blog is here to be your guide!
Latest Articles
How to identify stream violets
Roses are red, violets are…yellow? When you hear the word ‘violet,’ do you automatically think of a purple or blue…
How to identify western red cedar
What is western red cedar? Western red cedar is one of our most iconic PNW evergreen trees. As is true…
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About Me
Hi, My Name Is Francesca!
I’m a writer, artist, and environmentalist, and the founder of Learn Oregon Plants. I grew up right here in Oregon, playing among cedar trees and salmonberry bushes in my forested backyard.
My love of plants and deep connection to the natural world led me to pursue an environmental studies major at the University of Oregon. Through ecology, environmental science, and backcountry/wilderness survival courses, I added an academic lens to the experiential, self-taught plant knowledge I gained as a child.
After graduating, I spent the next two years in Salt Lake City, where I earned my M.A. in environmental humanities from the University of Utah. While there, I was able to learn about new plants in the Great Basin, red-rock desert, and Rocky Mountain ecosystems.
Upon returning to Oregon in 2018, I spent four years working in communications at environmental nonprofits in the Portland area. Since then, I’ve been working as a writer and freelance copy editor, and I’ve continue to hike, backpack, and learn about plants in my spare time. In 2024, I launched the Learn Oregon Plants website with the goal of sharing my ecological knowledge and passion for plants with others! Thanks for stopping by!
