Wild Earth Integration

(Courtesy: Bill Watterson. Who is The Man.)

I love it when humans are confronted with something that forces us to step back and evaluate just what we think we know.

I particularly love it when we realize “Oh…… how about that?” and marvel at how we missed something.

Allow me to explain.

About a week ago, an article was published in Biology Letters, outlining a new species of monitor lizard living in the forests of the northern Philippines. Well, it’s new to us at least.

Now get this – we’re not talking about a tree frog the size of your thumbnail, or a deep sea fish that can make himself invisible – this lizard is two metres long and is a relative of the infamous Komodo dragon. In other words, it’s a big oops and scientists are kind of scratching their heads wondering “This is insane – how did we miss this?”

To top it off, instead of eating meat like we would expect this komodo-esque beast to do, it turns out that he much prefers a nice fruit salad. This monitor lizard is a frugivore.

A third point is also worth mentioning. Although biologists haven’t encountered this species before, it’s well known to the indigenous Agta and Ilongot people of the region.

I can’t help but enjoy watching this unfold, because like I mentioned above, it forces us to realize we don’t have it all figured out. This lizard throws a bit of a curve ball at us, and I think it’s good for us to be thrown curve balls. It teaches humility, no?

So, what can we learn from this lizard? Apart from its eating habits and genetic composition, this lizard serves as a nice reminder of a few things:

1/ Maybe this planet has secrets (biological or otherwise) that we aren’t aware of yet. Admitting that we don’t know what we don’t know will open us to those possibilities faster than assuming we do.

2/Even big things (animals, effects, concepts) can go unseen if we’re not really opening our eyes.

3/ When in doubt, ask the locals. They probably know a lot more than you think.

Keep it wild!

Just a reminder:

Happy New Year!

Are you ready for another year? I have big plans for 2010, so let’s hit the ground running, shall we?

If there’s one thing I wish for everybody for the coming year, it’s to spend more time in nature. It will make you happier, healthier, smarter and quite possibly better looking. (Hey, it can’t hurt.) But according to the National Wildlife Federation, many kids are only spending four to seven minutes outside a day. Kid or adult – you need to get outside.

Here are 15 ways to get out there and rock the natural world.

1. Everyday when you wake up, take a deep breath. Air connects you to the rest of the world. Think about it – it’s quite possible that you’re breathing the same atoms that Da Vinci breathed in, hundreds of years ago. Thanks to Zen Habits for reminding me to breathe.

2. Go outside and look up. A change in perspective opens you up to new things. I promise you’ll see something new.

3. Go outside and look down. Ditto.

4. Touch trees. It sounds cheesy, but when you touch trees you’re reminded of what it feels like to be truly grounded.

5. Forget about the sanitizer for now and play in the dirt. Make moats, dirt castles and claim your land with a little flag.

5. Take off your shoes. Feel grass, puddles, soil and even snow on your feet. You’ll definitely make people wonder with barefoot prints in the snow.

6. Take a count of all the living things in your house. Try to double, or triple that number. Plants count.

7. If you have the resources, adopt a pet from your local shelter. A dog’s joy is one of the most authentic things in life.

8. Collect rocks. Stack them somewhere. Reflect on how much older than you they really are.

9. Get down close to the ground and see the world from an ant’s perspective. Stay there long enough to get used to it. Stand up and feel like a giant.

10. Climb trees. Pretend you’re Tarzan (or Jane). Loincloth optional.

11. Check out a zoo (a responsible one) and look a wild animal in the eyes. Feel that awe you get when encountering something that powerful.

12. Make a deliberate choice to learn more about nature. Read books, watch documentaries and take a new path. Thanks to Henry David Thoreau for reminding me to live deliberately, and to Melissa for writing about him.

13. Look for incredible natural patterns around you. Need a start? Look at a shelled walnut. Now look at a picture of a brain. Cool huh? Also check out trees, snails and leaves.

14. Start a nature journal. There is an astounding amount of beauty in this world, but training yourself to notice it is a skill. Take time, get your family involved and create a nature journal to document the world around you. Sketch, sculpt or take pictures of what you see. Bring the outside in.

15. Learn about a new organism everyday. Spread the word about the awesome species living in the world – the more they know, the more they’ll care. Of course, this blog is a great place to start!

All the best in 2010! As always, feel free to drop me a line in the comments – how will you discover nature this year?

Twas the days before Christmas,

and all ’round the world

lots of creatures were stirring, without saying a word

With Christmas being right around the corner, it’s easy to get overcome by all the festivities. Shopping, baking, shoveling snow and general holiday-osity are important, but it’s also a good time to remember that there are those out there that need your help. Right now (and all throughout the year) there are homeless, hungry and unhappy animals, all without a voice. Let’s fix that, shall we?

Without further adieu, here’s how you can help. You might think it’s small potatoes, but with enough small potatoes, we can make a big difference.

• Feed the Birds

Sure it’s simple, but it can also bring some great rewards. Here’s a great ornament feeder for your yard that’s fun to make and sure to please your feathered neighbors. All you need is some yarn, rice cakes, peanut butter and bird seed. Using the tip of a knife, poke a small slit through each rice cake. String in your yarn, tying off a knot before and after each rice cake. Roll the sides of the rice cake in PB and dip them into the bird seed. Finito! Leave a bit of yarn at the top (or if you’re like me, mess it up and then have to tie on extra) and then string it up to a tree. Promise, the birds will go crazy over this one.

• Check out your local shelter. Lend a hand.

One of my first jobs was at the Humane Society. I can tell you first hand – there is no downtime for animal care workers. Why not drop by a shelter in your area? Even if you can’t give money, they are always in need of newspapers, blankets (to keep young animals warm), pet food, treats and cleaning products. If you want to make them really happy, bring some leashes, collars or pet toys. If you have awhile, you can always offer to walk shelter dogs (one of my favorite holiday activities), or spend some time with the cats and other small animals. Socializing the animals increases their chances of being adopted (because they get used to handling and people), so your gift could very well result in an animal finding a home!

• Donate money to an animal-related charity of your choice.

I know, money doesn’t grow on trees. But there are many organizations that are doing really fantastic things with even small sums. If conservation is your thing, you can donate to the World Wildlife Fund. These people work around the clock throughout the year to inform and educate people and improve ecological policies. If you can’t look at a malnourished puppy without crying, you would probably get a lot from donating to the World Society for the Protection of Animals. WSPA spends countless hours trying to eradicate animal cruelty of all kinds around the globe. Everything from bear-baiting to bull fighting – WSPA covers it. These organizations also have hundreds of gift ideas, so your giving can also get you a beautiful present for someone. Win-win.

There are many more ideas, but these are a few that can get you started. If you want to learn more about shelter donations, you can check out your local Humane Society. If conservation or cruelty aid are more your thing, you can click the logos below to find each website. I hope you guys have a fantastic week, and I’d love to hear what you do to help out our animal friends. Of course, one of the easiest ways to help animals is to give your own pet a hug – so go to!

See you on Wednesday!

…If you don’t slow down.

The holidays are fast approaching and many of us are knee-deep in the busy season already. Sure, it’s the most wonderful time of the year *here you go* – but it can also be one of the most rushed. The perfect antidote to all of this madness? A little time in nature.

During any season, it can be pretty easy to fly through the outdoors. But don’t fall prey to the urge to speed through. If you’re rushing, you’re probably zoning out. Bad explorer!  Nobody knows about the importance of slowing down like a good animal tracker. In fact, some of the best trackers out there say that in order to truly see the world around you, you must walk at a speed that’s 1/4 your normal walking speed.

Think about that.

I know that if we were all to wander around at 1/4th our pace everyday, things would get pretty hairy. Holiday shopping would be even worse, wouldn’t it? But nature, like many great things, is all in the details.

For our expedition today, I took the 1/4 pace challenge in my backyard. Within 50 feet of my house, I was amazed at what I found.

My friends, I give you 5 things you will surely miss if you don’t slow down out there:

• Unexpected Buddies
  

That’s right – what expedition around my house would be complete without a little evidence of Gerry. And introducing today – Gerry’s nemesis! One of the easiest ways to see animal tracks is to get down low – reeeaal low, with your head close to the ground. People typically don’t notice the ground in front of them when they’re rushing, so unexpected friends like this are often missed!

• Tiny Shots of Festive Color

Ironically enough, it’s in a gray, wintery world that most color tends to stand out. But our human brains don’t quite catch on. When we see a lot of something in front of us (like snow for example), our mind wants us to think that it’s all uniform. Sort of like a white noise on a television set, our brain decides ‘there’s nothing there’. But you can show your brain who’s boss by slowing down and focusing – you might be amazed at what is right in front of you.

• Things That Hang On

Have you ever really looked at climbing vines? Many of them have small suckers, a lot like a gecko’s foot. These suckers latch onto trees, fences and whatever else they can find. Even though they dry out in winter, these suckers are still hangin’ on.

• Things That Let Go

If there’s one lesson that trees can teach you, it’s that sometimes you just gotta let go. Every fall, trees (at least ones with leaves like these) draw in all their nutrients to their core. This is why leaves turn such gorgeous colors, they’re losing nutrients to the trunk. In winter, the tree is in 100% self preservation mode, so the leaves let go.

• Things That Don’t Follow the Crowd

If that’s not a poster for perseverance, I don’t know what is.

I wonder what you’d see if you took the 1/4 pace challenge? Let’s hear your tales!

We all have our secrets. Today, I thought I’d introduce you to one of mine.

This is Gerry. Say hi to him!

Gerry is an Eastern Gray Squirrel that has been inspiring me for months. Everyday, he comes around to the patio outside of my office (lucky writer, I know) and eats binges on the seeds that I have so graciously tossed out for the wildlife. Of course, Gerry has grown to be a pretty hefty squirrel (in fact he probably weighs about as much as a cat at this point), so the birds have to get up pretty early to get the jump on him!

As a busy writer/illustrator/educator/aspiring nature superhero, life can get pretty hectic. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget about the simple things – the reasons why we do what we do. For me, animals, nature and science are my thing. My shtick. Having Gerry (and his assorted friends) around outside the door is a great reminder of why it is that I do what I do. I know many of you reading are also nature superheros, so Gerry is a reminder to you too. But I digress.

So, my top 3 favorite things about squirrels? Glad you asked.

#3 – They have no thumbs. Yep, they accomplish all of their squirrel-tastic tasks without any thumbs. If I had no thumbs, my writingwouldprobablylooklikethis. But this guy climbs trees, scares off cats (I’ve seen him do it!) and otherwise kicks squirrel booty without so much as an opposable digit. Fantastic.

#2 -They stand up for what they believe in, and when needed, yell at you. We’ve all been minding our own business, walking under a tree, when suddenly we hear it. Grinding chitter-chatter coming from above our heads. Alas, it is Gerry (or one of his relatives) reaming us out for daring to walk under his tree. Forget the fact that we outweigh Gerry a hundred-fold and that he’s got no thumbs. Nope, squirrels stick up for themselves. No matter how big (or human) their foes are.

#1 – That crazy tail-bopping thing they do. If you’ve spent any time with squirrels (why wouldn’t you, really?) – you know what I’m talking about. They’ll hop and scamper along, with their tails bopping up and down in weird, jumbly rhythms. I’m convinced that there is some sort of behavioral/evolutionary reason for all of this bopping, but I have yet to devise a scheme experiment to figure it out. Is it a signal of some kind? Reflective of their physiology? Only Gerry knows.

And now my friends, I leave you with a picture of Gerry – decked out 300 style. You know, the movie about the Persians and the battle for Thermopylae? He is a squirrel to be reckoned with. Epic, no?

I’d love to hear your own backyard wildlife stories – feel free to introduce us in the comments!

Just a quick update to look forward to — Last week, I was fortunate enough to speak at a workshop focused on creating positive change in the world. I chatted with 3 groups of Grade 7s-8s about sustainability, social justice, environmentalism and (of course) clay. The kids were awesome, and they definitely have some world changing ideas.

Just wait ’til you see what they made. Stay tuned for more details and pictures of their masterpieces!

In the meantime, I hope you’re feelin good.

“The reason they want you to fit in is that once you do, they can ignore you.”

-SG

In case you don’t read Seth – you should.

First item: It’s Friday. This makes me happy.

Second, I finished a new pic. You like?

In the spirit of Friday, I thought I’d write a little bit about input and output. No, I’m not talking about hooking up the DVD player, although that is an experience for the books also. I’m talking about the other part of the creative process that many people often ignore.

Here’s the way I see it. Creativity is output. It comes from inside of you (this is starting to sound a bit like Alien, but bear with me) – and then something is formed, stitched and melded together from your own blood, sweat, tears and imagination. It could be writing, dancing, sculpting, basketweaving – it’s all coming from you and ends up representing a snapshot of your life and mindset at the time. You put a lot of yourself into it. That’s why people use the phrase “it took a lot out of me.”

What I’m trying to say is, it’s really hard.

But this is only half of the equation. These are the awesome-super-fired-up-gungho-I’m-the-king-of-the-world moments where you’re buzzing with the excitement of creating, or having created, something entirely you. What’s the other half, then?

The other half of the equation is input. I think of input as a time of mindful, active rest. It is the second piece of bread in the creative sandwich, but too often people ignore it and make a huge mess trying to eat it open-faced style. Input is the time you allow yourself to delve into those activities that you used to enjoy as a kid, or feel niggly, naggy little feelings towards now. Input is the stuff that you want to do, but won’t allow yourself to do because you’ve got work to do.

Maybe your version of input is seeing an opera. Or watching Die Hard for the eighth time (shush, it happens). Maybe it’s sneaking a read of Twilight to see what all the fuss is about (guilty), or sitting on a park bench watching the squirrels. It could be eating an incredible meal with your main squeeze or going to the bookstore and poring over the children’s books you used to love. Input is the stuff that many people see as absolute fluff. But they’re wrong.

Input, unlike creating, is letting the world come to you.

I hear you – “But Jess! I can’t just escape my life and master the art of french cooking! I’ve got pieces to finish, papers to grade, books to write!”*  *(Pick your poison there). But what we’ve forgotten is, input is part of the job. If you don’t have input, you’ll have nothing to turn into output.

You’re no super(wo)man. Neither am I. But for a long time, I gave myself a hard time about needing the time to gain those inputs in my life. I would get frustrated if I caught myself staring out the window, feeling like a desperate spaniel pawing at the outside world. I would steal glances at the latest novel beside me and say to it “in a minute, in a minute”. (So I talk to books sometimes, what’s it to you?)

But you’d be surprised what a little input can do if you allow it into your life. Watch the movie. Take a walk. Get over yourself and how serious you are about your work and do something you actually want to do. The funny thing is, the more you allow yourself to be human and work with yourself (by that I mean, accepting that you need inputs), the more you’ll notice your outputs taking off! When you allow yourself to work with your own process, you’ll become more productive. Promise.

This isn’t just me telling you to go easy on yourself and take a break every now and then. It’s me telling you that input (walks, books, movies, friends, tree climbing) is necessary to any sort of creatively successful life. It’s filling up your mental dictionary. It’s expanding your brain, making new connections and sorting old files. As soon as you realize that input is part of the job, things change.

So go ahead. Don’t ignore half of your job. Enjoy some input time. Yippee-kay-yay – John McClane would be proud.