Webinar series: Beyond Plant Blindness – Understanding and Protecting Native Biodiversity

Introduction

This webinar explored how scientific understanding of human–plant relationships has evolved from the concept of plant blindness toward the more constructive framework of plant awareness. Against the background of the global biodiversity crisis, Dr Peter Pany presented research highlighting why plants are often overlooked and how education can foster a deeper recognition of their ecological importance.

Key Speaker Highlights

Dr Pany presented insights from over a decade of interdisciplinary research in botany education, focusing on:

• The historical development and critique of the concept of plant blindness, including concerns around ableist terminology.
• The emergence of plant awareness as a positive, multidimensional construct encompassing perception, knowledge, attitudes, and valuation of plants.
• Empirical findings from Delphi studies and validation of the Plant Awareness Inventory.
• Research on students’ mental models of plants, showing that plant concepts are stable yet adaptable through education.
• Implications for biodiversity conservation, education, and sustainability goals.

Key takeaway

Plant awareness can be deliberately developed through education and is essential for meaningful biodiversity action.

Participant Insights and Key Questions

The Q&A session addressed critical themes, including:

• The relationship between plant awareness, nature connectedness, and willingness to protect nature.
• How educational practices can counteract zoo centric perspectives without pathologizing learners.
• The importance of experiential learning while ensuring transfer from individual plants to broader ecosystems.

Overall, participants emphasized the need to move beyond deficit based narratives and support educational approaches that build lasting, meaningful human–plant relationships.