Summer Programs at Blackstone Park

Full details here: https://15minutefieldtrips.blogspot.com/p/blackstone-parks-programs.html

Be the Change

I can’t be at rallies or protests for a number of reasons. I’ve had pneumonia this time of year and have an auto-immune disorder. If I get arrested, I can say good-bye to my teaching career. I have a child that needs me. But I still want to do what I can to advocate for and protect those I love. This is just one action I am am taking in response to these times:

I teach about the environment through art. I teach about the importance, the necessity, of biodiversity. Children thrill at the diversity of colors and shapes and textures in leaves, in seeds. I teach about pollination, not just about the introduced domesticated honey bees, but the solitary bees, the butterflies and moths, the beetles, flies, ants, birds, and even bats that pollinate. Without insect pollinators, humanity would be wiped out. We don’t get to decide which insects get to pollinate our tomatoes, which more often will be a bumblebee, nor should we. Using pesticides and enforcing monocultures is toxic. Words of hate and racism and suppression of other races and cultures is toxic.

Today I continue work bringing nature to children. I am mostly engaged online, but I prepare for the time we can be together again. I struggled with putting nature under a plastic shield, wanting kids to touch actual leaves and galls knowing some would be crushed. Now I seal some of my favorite pressed leaves under lamination so each child I teach can look at their diversity before collecting their own leaves around where we are. I will wipe all the sheets down with Lysol. I’m placing robin egg shells, cicada exoskeletons, dragonfly exuvia, and oak apple galls inside clear plastic cases to pass around and wipe between each student, as they learn how nature solves problems.

We need to change our nature as a society. Be the change you want to see.

We need to change our nature as a society.  Be the change you want to see.

Compost Cafe Countdown

Just five days left until our Compost Cafe launch with deep underground jazz worm Blind Lemon Nightcrawler!  Join us as we plan the menu, create our brand, listen to jazz, watch silly worm antics, and experiment with bananas!  It's one hour of dirt-packed fun!  Only $6 per household for our virtual event on Zoom.  Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/compost-cafe-with-blind-lemon-nightcrawler-tickets-104312357068?fbclid=IwAR2ZyCzXMCyrpKGWs8UsnGKCT8R_IfJvhB_DC4tKVd9x6Zpyky3u9HG2U7U

Insect Orchestra Part 2

Here's the next installment of "Insect Orchestra"! You can get the art on many items here. You can listen here.

Insect Orchestra Part 1

Here's the first of nine pairings I will share this month. Stay tuned for exhibit info. Have a listen here: http://songsofinsects.com/katydids/american-shieldback You can order prints here: https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-board-print/Watermelon-with-wind-up-toy-by-Eco-Artopia/48081030.7Q6GI

Ants In My Pants, Beetle Mania, and Anita Crackinstuff!

Need some silliness right now? Watch some beetle mania and more with Anita Crackinstuff and myself as we sing and dance and get the ants out of our pants!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QBHG64_XnQ

Compost Cafe

We're going LIVE with a workshop with special guest, deep underground jazz musician Blind Lemon Nightcrawler!  Learn about the greens and browns of compost and design your own menu for the compost cafe to help you remember how to reduce your food waste at home.  Registration limited.  Sign up here.