“A
true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his
fathers, but borrowed from his children.” John James Audubon
John
James Audubon was both a scientist and an artist. He dove into his passion and
has left an amazing legacy not only of his own work, but the inspiration he
passed on to others. What action from your journal last week has built up your
desire to combine your own practical and creative abilities into an ongoing
interaction?
Or,
where would you like to investigate more? What time can you carve out? Has
anything surprised you in your journal so far that is changing your
perspective? The possibilities are endless in nature so to interact means to
listen to your heartbeat for your passion.
Several
years ago Geary Mandrapilias shared her story in Nature’s Garden that she had
begun gardening as an outdoor activity while her children played in the yard.
“I was definitely collecting plants but…I certainly did not know I was making a
habitat.” Her passion grew and when a fellow Master Gardener suggested she
become a wildlife rehabilitator, another one of her interests blended in. She
built a chain of three small ponds into her yard that became a habitat for
turtles. Later an “assortment of birds, rabbits, squirrels, lizards, and other
wildlife” also came. (Nature’s
Garden Magazine Summer 2007)
Sometimes
taking our first step of interaction can begin a surprising journey.
In
a recent visit to Milwaukie, Oregon, I spotted a few Wildlife signs near
driveways during a walk. When I took a closer look I saw they were
certifications for backyard habitats. The Portland Audubon society has a
program to assist homeowners to interact and help preserve local habitats.
Their five program elements include: “removal of aggressive weeds, naturescaping with native
plants, pesticides reduction, stormwater management and wildlife stewardship.
Two of their concerns under wildlife stewardship include providing water and
shelter, and decreasing hazards to wildlife.
Journal ideas of how you would like to interact with nature.
Then write out other interests and daydream how they might merge—either in
concrete physical action and/or art.
Action
Steps:
1. Look up the
Audubon websites and resources in your own geographic home and see what
stewardship or habitat possibilities you might be able to incorporate, even if
in a crowded city.
2. What actions
will best combine your personal factual science and your art lean together?
3. Plan your
project.
Share: What is one
simple action you discovered for your location?
Read deep, marcy
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