Our traditional understanding of native Kentucky wildflowers is based on the cause and effect relationship of the absence of specific plants for pollinators (FOR-98: Attracting Butterflies with Native Plants; Tom Barnes), but the benefits should not be limited to a single purpose. Native plants attract a number of types of wildlife with fruit and flowers, bio-indicators of the health of an ecosystem, provide a unique aesthetic to a native Kentucky ecological community, and, if used and planted properly in a home garden, can be an incredible display of color and purpose. All of these benefits, in addition to the attraction and proliferation of butterfly populations. Although all of these potential benefits exist, the limited knowledge by the general public, namely youth, to identify and appreciate the interconnectedness of plants to people is at an all-time low. In a recent study in the United Kingdom, 82% of youth did not recognize an oak leaf and 42% of youth did not recognize a dandelion. This absence of the ability to identify speaks to a longstanding, important issue of connection to outdoors for youth and adults. 

Garrard County 4-H Youth Development Agent, recognizing the need for a base level, cursory understanding of basic ecological processes, identifying characteristics of plants (native and non-native), and how we have used plants in the past and are using them in the present, created a multi-season video series called "On the Ground." The videos paid close attention to a few key concepts:

• Common Name and Scientific Name
• Etymology of the name
• Identifying characteristics of individual species or family
• Specific pollinators 
• Specific habitats or habitat-types
• Ethnobotany (human uses for medicine or food)

More than 2000 views over the course of the entire series showed the need of this type of interactive series (some were live and others were recorded [dependent on cell phone signal], especially during the current pandemic crisis. A number of comments revolved around additional questions related to the plants which were handled by the Garrard County 4-H Youth Development Agent, but all level of participation was received and encouraged. Classroom teachers and ad hoc homeschooling teachers have shown their students and used them as a reference for lessons related to plants and wildlife [mammals and insects]. Continued use of this format is planned for the future. New platforms may be used to utilize in-video questions and information related to each species of plant covered.