Naturally Connected

What is the Bio DaVersity Code?

Free Range studios has recently launched a new flash movie aimed at explaining humans relationship to the web of life.  In a DaVinci Code theme, forensic zoologist Robert Penguin and the dashing agent Sophie Minnow race to expose the greatest lie ever told.  Watch the The BioDaVersity Code to find out about the secret priory of species, biodiversity and the web of life. 

Taking action begins with each and every one of us.  A detailed list of actions is included on the site. 

The Attraction of the Persimmon Tree

Before moving into the house I just rented, I had taken a friend by to see the house.  While we were pulling out of the driveway she noticed this persimmon tree that is on the edge of the neighbors property.  She was so excited that she had to go pick some of the fresh fruit for us.

Last weekend after moving all of my stuff into the house, my boyfriend and I were busy arranging furniture and boxes.  We noticed a man who was surveying the house.  Eventually he knocked on the door.  He was inquiring about the persimmon tree and wanted to know if it was mine.  He explained that in his native country the trees were much more common than here, and he was very excited to see the tree.  I told him the tree belonged to the neighbors.  He mentioned that he had knocked on their door and they were not home but he wanted to pick some of the fruit.  It just so happened that my friend who had been so excited about the tree had helped with the moving the day before and had picked some more fruit off of the tree.  I offered these to him.  He began to take out his wallet, and I thought he was going to offer me some money and I said that wasn't necessary.  He then pulled out a business card and handed it to me.  He said that he lived in the senior home down the street and asked me to let the neighbors know that he was interested in some of the fruit when I saw them and pointed out his email address on the card for me to contact him.

The title of the business card says "A Healthier, Happier and More Peaceful Life."  I have never seen a business card like that.  I reminded me of a scene from The Peaceful Warrior Movie.  Since I spent the last year focusing on the exact topics of health, happiness and the creation of peace, I know that it was no accident that he knocked on my door that day.  I will be in touch with him once I get a little more settled in.

This is a perfect story of nature playing a role in making human connections!  What a special persimmon tree. 

Running the Sahara for Clean Water

I was happy to learn about the Running the Sahara project on Matt's blog Empathy.  On November 1, 2006 three men began their journey running the distance of about two marathons a day across the Sahara.  They will be running across six countries and nine ecosystems.  A major portion of the proceeds from the project go toward H2O Africa who's mission is to support sustainable and integrated water programs in a region that gets less than 5 inches of water a year. They are sustainable, in that projects are accompanied by training and maintenance to create a program that will live for the long run. Activity will complement other programs in the region, such as education and infrastructure development, m aking them integrated.

The Sahara is the largest desert on earth and covers a land mass similar to the size of the United States. A friend of mine from Ghana which is located South of Mali told me how his showers growing up were from a tin can with slits in the top.  This exemplifies how little water there is.  The lack of safe drinkable water impacts people's health, leading to malnutrition and starvation becasue of lack of food.  Humans aren't the only ones impacted.  The Eden Foundation describes the threats to native plants and animals in the region. 

Desertification is increasing globally. It affects one third of the world's surface and has an impact on the lives of one fifth of the world's population.  Africa is at the greatest risk with over two thirds of its landmass being desert or drylands.  Learn more watching UNEP's global desertification outlook video below.  It highlights new opportunities for improviing livlihoods for people living in desert regions by leveraging the wind and sun to bring energy to the region. 

Global Desertification

Autumn in Nature

I am thrilled to share these watercolor prints which highlight the amazing colors and scenes of nature this time of year in North America.  In the See it Big view (bottom left corner of Filmloop) each image contains a link to purchase the print directly on the Heron Dance site. 

Tide Pool Views Filmloop

This past week I had the opportunity to spend some time on the Northern California coast between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay.  I was surprised to find so many bird feathers floating in the tide pools.  This became a key theme for my latest Filmloop.   I hope you enjoy the colors and textures of the sea life, rocks and water at the tide pools.  I sure did! 

Building Green TV - on PBS

Corey Freed at OrganicArchitechtblog mentioned a new show beginning on PBS this October that I am looking forward to checking out called Building Green.  The first season will chronicle the entire process of building a strawbale home in Santa Barbara, CA.  It includes episodes on topics such as the foundation, steel framework, flooring, exterior finishing, interior finishing, energy, plumbing etc.  You can view clips for a sneak peak.  Here is the latest listing of stations where it will be showing. 

Film Festival for Global Peace

The 4th Annual Global Peace Film Festival opens in Orlando, FL on September 14, 2006, and runs through September 21st, 2006.  Over 40 features, documentaries and shorts will be shown, along with panel discussions and guest speakers.  This event coincides with over 1200 other events and activities for the Global International Day of Peace on September 21. 

Costa Rican Butterflies and Moths FilmLoop 2

My first FilmLoop of Costa Rican Butterflies and Moths has been such a success, I created a second one with 30 new images.  I think I like this one better than the first.  What do you think?

The entire photo album (138+ images) is available from the right column on My Pura Vida. 

Two Connections to Tibet Today

Tibet Web TV launched on August 3.  It will devote the bulk of its coverage to the accomplishments and teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and serve as a connecting point for Tibettans worldwide (except where censored in Tibet.)   

Today in Costa Rica, I attended an environmental purification ceremony with a group of Buddhist monks, including one of the monks that fled Tibet with the Dali Lama.  Read more on My Pura Vida. 

Another Movie to Add to the List to See

Alex Steffan added a post today about the movie Monumental, to the WorldChanging site.  This seems like another movie to add to the list to see.  It's a documentary about David Brower who crusaded for wilderness and sustainability for Sierra Club from the 1960's.  I am always interested in learning more about people who are inspired to make the world a better place, especially when it's for the environment.  Here is the list of screenings.