This self-scoring test is to determine a basic environmental perception of place. It was given to me while taking “Deep Ecology for the 22nd Century” with Bill Devall at Humboldt State University. It was adapted by Bill from a version that appeared in CoEvolution Magazine (now Whole Earth Review).

The boundaries of place, of bioregion, are not artificial lines drawn on a map for arbitary political purposes. The boundaries are natural boundaries such as watershed, mountain, sea coast.

This test is framed for the Humboldt Bay region in some questions and northwestern California in other questions. Scoring is done on the honor ystem, so if you fudge, cheat, or elude, you also get an idea of you’re at. The quiz is culture bound, favoring the country over the city landscape.

You can replace the proper name between the *asterisks* with your local region. Can you name your local region?

1. How do you celebrate the autumn equinox? How do you celebrate, if at all, the winter solstice?
2. Trace the water you drink from tap to precipitation.
3. Name five native species of plants in the *Humboldt Bay* region.
4. Name five intrusive, exotic species of plants in the *Humboldt Bay* region. What, if anything, is being done to control the spread of these intrusive species?
5. Name five species of animals in the *Humboldt Bay* region.
6. Name five intrusive, exotic species of animals in the *Humboldt Bay* region. What, if anything, is being done to control the spread of these intrusive species?
7. From what direction do winter storms come in the *Humboldt Bay* region?
8. What are the major rivers in northwestern *California*?
9. When do the elk runt in the coastal region of *Humboldt county*? (you’ll really have to come up with a good analog here)
10. What is the largest designated wilderness area in *northwestern California*?
11. Give the names of five species of plants and animals listed as threatened or endangered under Federal or state regulations that are endemic in *northwest California*? What is being done to improve the chances of survival for these species?