Each intelligence has a core set of capacities which are involved in its actual functioning. These are almost like “sub-intelligences”. If you are wanting to improve, enhance, or otherwise strengthen an intelligence, you must work at the level of developing the full range of its capacities.

Study these capacities and think about how you use them in your life and you’ll gain a fuller sense and understanding of your own NatureSmart.

The first task for more fully understanding and enhancing your NatureSmart capacities is learning to speak the unique language of this intelligence; that is, learning to decipher its special jargon, to understand its vernacular, and being willing to immerse yourself in its various operating modalities.

The language and operating modality of NatureSmart is is the full sensory impact of the natural world (as opposed to that world created by human beings!), it's amazing array of patterns, its many varieties of animal species and the flora and fauna of the "plant kingdom".

Once you understand the different dimensions and aspects of NatureSmart it is important that you focus on using them on a fairly regular basis. As with any capacity we have developed in our life, regular, consistent practice makes perfect.

Following is a description of each capacity and a place for you to type your reflections on how each of the capacities tend to show up in your daily life, AND what you can do to exercise it or use is more.

(Just type your thoughts in the boxes provided. At the bottom is a "print button" so you can save your work.)

"COMMUNION" WITH NATURE

You may know people who you can take out-of-doors into almost any natural setting and they suddenly feel at home. They have developed a special knowing related to the different natural patterns, colors, sounds, smells, textures, shapes, and tastes. This capacity is called “Communion” with Nature.

SENSITIVITY TO NATURE'S FLORA

This capacity involves your relationship to, appreciation and understanding of, and connection to the plant kingdom. It deals exclusively with the remarkable impact of botanical organisms and the profound knowing about yourself and your world that can result.

ABILITY TO CARE FOR, TAME, AND INTERACT WITH LIVING CREATURES

This capacity involves the special skill or talent some have developed for understanding and relating to our fellow creatures in this world, beyond the human species. Some people have an almost uncanny relationship with animals--there is almost an understanding between them.

RECOGNIZING AND CLASSIFYING SPECIES

This capacity involves several levels of classification related to species of the natural world, both the animal and plant kingdoms, including the recognition of “membership groups” within a species and their unique characteristics and the recognition of “neighboring species,” including being able to chart relationships and connections between several species.

GROWING THINGS

Growing Things involves the nurturing of your special connection to the earth which comes from tilling the soil and “living off the land.” The knowing here is related to the process of planting something and nurturing it to full growth and maturity.