explorers have the joy of investigating the animals and plants and people that
the animals and plants and people that
the animals and plants and people that that occur in places that are far
that occur in places that are far
that occur in places that are far removed from where we live for example
removed from where we live for example
removed from where we live for example in the tops of trees and distance
in the tops of trees and distance
in the tops of trees and distance rainforests but the problems that
rainforests but the problems that
rainforests but the problems that rainforests are facing means also that
rainforests are facing means also that
rainforests are facing means also that explorers have to cut through the noise
explorers have to cut through the noise
explorers have to cut through the noise in order to communicate what they learn
in order to communicate what they learn
in order to communicate what they learn in these far places to those members of
in these far places to those members of
in these far places to those members of society who may not necessarily
society who may not necessarily
society who may not necessarily understand the beauty and importance of
understand the beauty and importance of
understand the beauty and importance of them who may not necessarily have active
them who may not necessarily have active
them who may not necessarily have active subscriptions to the National Geographic
subscriptions to the National Geographic
subscriptions to the National Geographic magazine
magazine
magazine I believe that communication to the
I believe that communication to the
I believe that communication to the environmentally unaware is one of our
environmentally unaware is one of our
environmentally unaware is one of our big challenges to solve environmental
big challenges to solve environmental
big challenges to solve environmental problems big problems such as forest
problems big problems such as forest
problems big problems such as forest fragmentation global climate change
fragmentation global climate change
fragmentation global climate change species extinctions how can we foster
species extinctions how can we foster
species extinctions how can we foster change in people who may not wish to
change in people who may not wish to
change in people who may not wish to change or not even be aware that there
change or not even be aware that there
change or not even be aware that there is a need to change metaphorically I
is a need to change metaphorically I
is a need to change metaphorically I think there’s one approach to do this
think there’s one approach to do this
think there’s one approach to do this that we can move the focus from the
that we can move the focus from the
that we can move the focus from the immovable trunks of our big problems so
immovable trunks of our big problems so
immovable trunks of our big problems so those parts of this metaphorical tree
those parts of this metaphorical tree
those parts of this metaphorical tree that do move that is in this case the
that do move that is in this case the
that do move that is in this case the leaves and twigs of a tree and to
leaves and twigs of a tree and to
leaves and twigs of a tree and to investigate this I turn trees into
investigate this I turn trees into
investigate this I turn trees into artists what I did was attach little
artists what I did was attach little
artists what I did was attach little paintbrushes on a breezy day to the tips
paintbrushes on a breezy day to the tips
paintbrushes on a breezy day to the tips of trees held up a piece of drawing
of trees held up a piece of drawing
of trees held up a piece of drawing paper and allowed the tree to make art
paper and allowed the tree to make art
paper and allowed the tree to make art for two minutes
for two minutes
for two minutes this was the resulting piece of art that
this was the resulting piece of art that
this was the resulting piece of art that the tree made being a scientist I want
the tree made being a scientist I want
the tree made being a scientist I want to know how far how much these trees
to know how far how much these trees
to know how far how much these trees could move collectively and so I simply
could move collectively and so I simply
could move collectively and so I simply measured the segments of the painted
measured the segments of the painted
measured the segments of the painted tree for two minutes added up the
tree for two minutes added up the
tree for two minutes added up the segments multiplied the number of
segments multiplied the number of
segments multiplied the number of minutes by number of minutes per year
minutes by number of minutes per year
minutes by number of minutes per year the number of twigs per branch the
the number of twigs per branch the
the number of twigs per branch the number of branches per tree and came up
number of branches per tree and came up
number of branches per tree and came up with an accurate figure of how far
with an accurate figure of how far
with an accurate figure of how far collectively a single tree could move in
collectively a single tree could move in
collectively a single tree could move in a year I’m sure you have a guess
since I only have 15 minutes I’ll tell
since I only have 15 minutes I’ll tell you the answer which is 186,000 540
you the answer which is 186,000 540
you the answer which is 186,000 540 miles per year which is equivalent to 7
miles per year which is equivalent to 7
miles per year which is equivalent to 7 times around planet Earth
times around planet Earth
times around planet Earth so using this metaphor of a tree that
so using this metaphor of a tree that
so using this metaphor of a tree that seems a movable and yet isn’t is moving
seems a movable and yet isn’t is moving
seems a movable and yet isn’t is moving very fast and very far I would like to
very fast and very far I would like to
very fast and very far I would like to share with you today what I think of in
share with you today what I think of in
share with you today what I think of in terms of three ways that we explorers
terms of three ways that we explorers
terms of three ways that we explorers might need to promote movement in terms
might need to promote movement in terms
might need to promote movement in terms of moving these environmental problems
of moving these environmental problems
of moving these environmental problems that I spoke about one of them is moving
that I spoke about one of them is moving
that I spoke about one of them is moving from the unknown to the known the second
from the unknown to the known the second
from the unknown to the known the second is moving information from the exclusive
is moving information from the exclusive
is moving information from the exclusive to the inclusive and finally moving from
to the inclusive and finally moving from
to the inclusive and finally moving from despair to hope first from moving from
despair to hope first from moving from
despair to hope first from moving from the unknown to the known one of the
the unknown to the known one of the
the unknown to the known one of the things that I’ve spent my scientific
things that I’ve spent my scientific
things that I’ve spent my scientific life on is exploring a very unknown
life on is exploring a very unknown
life on is exploring a very unknown place the rainforest canopy of
place the rainforest canopy of
place the rainforest canopy of Monteverde Costa Rica this is the the
Monteverde Costa Rica this is the the
Monteverde Costa Rica this is the the rainforest canopy just thirty years ago
rainforest canopy just thirty years ago
rainforest canopy just thirty years ago was known as the last biotic frontier
was known as the last biotic frontier
was known as the last biotic frontier but with a variety of mountain climbing
but with a variety of mountain climbing
but with a variety of mountain climbing techniques we have been able to know the
techniques we have been able to know the
techniques we have been able to know the unknown very well and I thought the best
unknown very well and I thought the best
unknown very well and I thought the best way to show this to you would be to show
way to show this to you would be to show
way to show this to you would be to show you a small clip of a piece of a
you a small clip of a piece of a
you a small clip of a piece of a National Geographic film called heroes
National Geographic film called heroes
National Geographic film called heroes of the high frontier which illustrates
of the high frontier which illustrates
of the high frontier which illustrates to you how I get from the unknown to the
to you how I get from the unknown to the
to you how I get from the unknown to the known
so when I’ve gotten to the canopy what
so when I’ve gotten to the canopy what I’ve learned is that there are a number
I’ve learned is that there are a number
I’ve learned is that there are a number of things that are revealed that the
of things that are revealed that the
of things that are revealed that the caballo de are very diverse and that
caballo de are very diverse and that
caballo de are very diverse and that they perform extremely important
they perform extremely important
they perform extremely important ecological roles they enhance the water
ecological roles they enhance the water
ecological roles they enhance the water and nutrient cycles of the forest as a
and nutrient cycles of the forest as a
and nutrient cycles of the forest as a whole the canopy plants provide food and
whole the canopy plants provide food and
whole the canopy plants provide food and water for the arboreal mammals and birds
water for the arboreal mammals and birds
water for the arboreal mammals and birds that live up there for their whole lives
that live up there for their whole lives
that live up there for their whole lives but there are other things that I see in
but there are other things that I see in
but there are other things that I see in the forest canopy that I’ve learned one
the forest canopy that I’ve learned one
the forest canopy that I’ve learned one is that we see not only ecological
is that we see not only ecological
is that we see not only ecological wholeness but we also see human
wholeness but we also see human
wholeness but we also see human disturbances and the effects of those of
disturbances and the effects of those of
disturbances and the effects of those of mining of conversion from forests to
mining of conversion from forests to
mining of conversion from forests to agricultural use of invasive species in
agricultural use of invasive species in
agricultural use of invasive species in addition what I have observed is this
addition what I have observed is this
addition what I have observed is this increasing distance of people from trees
increasing distance of people from trees
increasing distance of people from trees this non knowledge that trees are
this non knowledge that trees are
this non knowledge that trees are important to all of the things that we
important to all of the things that we
important to all of the things that we do and so in response to this
do and so in response to this
do and so in response to this understanding I started a little
understanding I started a little
understanding I started a little nonprofit called the international
nonprofit called the international
nonprofit called the international canopy network we canopy researchers got
canopy network we canopy researchers got
canopy network we canopy researchers got together and began publishing papers in
together and began publishing papers in
together and began publishing papers in the popular press consulting to the
the popular press consulting to the
the popular press consulting to the media and so forth but very soon I
media and so forth but very soon I
media and so forth but very soon I realized that I was really preaching to
realized that I was really preaching to
realized that I was really preaching to the choir these products of my publicity
the choir these products of my publicity
the choir these products of my publicity we’re really getting to people who were
we’re really getting to people who were
we’re really getting to people who were already aware of the importance and the
already aware of the importance and the
already aware of the importance and the beauty of canopy organisms so I began to
beauty of canopy organisms so I began to
beauty of canopy organisms so I began to ask how I can get outside that choir how
ask how I can get outside that choir how
ask how I can get outside that choir how can I bring my messages to people who
can I bring my messages to people who
can I bring my messages to people who might not already be convinced of the
might not already be convinced of the
might not already be convinced of the importance and I took then my movement
importance and I took then my movement
importance and I took then my movement from exclusive knowledge to inclusive
from exclusive knowledge to inclusive
from exclusive knowledge to inclusive knowledge and I took a clue from the
knowledge and I took a clue from the
knowledge and I took a clue from the fact that trees have a peculiar
fact that trees have a peculiar
fact that trees have a peculiar structure that each twig is connected to
structure that each twig is connected to
structure that each twig is connected to another twig each branch to another
another twig each branch to another
another twig each branch to another branch and I realized that perhaps what
branch and I realized that perhaps what
branch and I realized that perhaps what I could explore is the connection of the
I could explore is the connection of the
I could explore is the connection of the ecological values of trees which I just
ecological values of trees which I just
ecological values of trees which I just told you about to other societal values
told you about to other societal values
told you about to other societal values that already exist recreational values
that already exist recreational values
that already exist recreational values aesthetic values spiritual values and
aesthetic values spiritual values and
aesthetic values spiritual values and social justice values and I’ll go
social justice values and I’ll go
social justice values and I’ll go through an example of each of the
through an example of each of the
through an example of each of the projects that we’ve worked on in order
projects that we’ve worked on in order
projects that we’ve worked on in order to connect these ecological values with
to connect these ecological values with
to connect these ecological values with society I’ll start with recreational
society I’ll start with recreational
society I’ll start with recreational values the toys and games that we play
values the toys and games that we play
values the toys and games that we play with and of course there was an easy
with and of course there was an easy
with and of course there was an easy shot to say well let’s just make treetop
shot to say well let’s just make treetop
shot to say well let’s just make treetop Barbie after all
Barbie after all
Barbie after all girls are entranced with her what was
girls are entranced with her what was
girls are entranced with her what was really key here after we approached
really key here after we approached
really key here after we approached Mattel and didn’t get much of a positive
Mattel and didn’t get much of a positive
Mattel and didn’t get much of a positive response I really don’t understand why
response I really don’t understand why
response I really don’t understand why so we began making treetops Barbies
so we began making treetops Barbies
so we began making treetops Barbies ourselves going to Goodwill’s buying
ourselves going to Goodwill’s buying
ourselves going to Goodwill’s buying used Barbies and dressing her in these
used Barbies and dressing her in these
used Barbies and dressing her in these little clothes
little clothes
little clothes we also made this little booklet that
we also made this little booklet that
we also made this little booklet that has information about the canopy plants
has information about the canopy plants
has information about the canopy plants of the temperate and tropical
of the temperate and tropical
of the temperate and tropical rainforests we’re now working on ground
rainforests we’re now working on ground
rainforests we’re now working on ground support Ken but it’s not as good as
support Ken but it’s not as good as
support Ken but it’s not as good as Stella so in terms of aesthetic values
Stella so in terms of aesthetic values
Stella so in terms of aesthetic values the power of science combined with the
the power of science combined with the
the power of science combined with the power of art is something that I think
power of art is something that I think
power of art is something that I think is very effective in terms of cutting
is very effective in terms of cutting
is very effective in terms of cutting through the noise to communicate with
through the noise to communicate with
through the noise to communicate with the environmentally unaware and with the
the environmentally unaware and with the
the environmentally unaware and with the support of a conservation trust grant
support of a conservation trust grant
support of a conservation trust grant and the guidance of John Francis who
and the guidance of John Francis who
and the guidance of John Francis who awarded that I started putting together
awarded that I started putting together
awarded that I started putting together what I call canopy confluences where I
what I call canopy confluences where I
what I call canopy confluences where I invite and then become inclusive with
invite and then become inclusive with
invite and then become inclusive with scientists artists singers opera singers
scientists artists singers opera singers
scientists artists singers opera singers dancers rap singers and forest
dancers rap singers and forest
dancers rap singers and forest ecologists we spend a week in the forest
ecologists we spend a week in the forest
ecologists we spend a week in the forest together climbing trees making
together climbing trees making
together climbing trees making observations and communicating what we
observations and communicating what we
observations and communicating what we collectively learned about the forest
collectively learned about the forest
collectively learned about the forest canopy this has resulted in moss
canopy this has resulted in moss
canopy this has resulted in moss collections and modern dances and
collections and modern dances and
collections and modern dances and artwork and in sculpture but to me
artwork and in sculpture but to me
artwork and in sculpture but to me perhaps the most important result was
perhaps the most important result was
perhaps the most important result was learning that I could engage rap singers
learning that I could engage rap singers
learning that I could engage rap singers to engage urban youth at risk urban
to engage urban youth at risk urban
to engage urban youth at risk urban youth in terms of understanding the
youth in terms of understanding the
youth in terms of understanding the importance of trees
importance of trees
importance of trees I hired a rap singer named caution we
I hired a rap singer named caution we
I hired a rap singer named caution we brought together 40 at-risk kids from
brought together 40 at-risk kids from
brought together 40 at-risk kids from Tacoma Washington we spent five days at
Tacoma Washington we spent five days at
Tacoma Washington we spent five days at the college campus where I taught and in
the college campus where I taught and in
the college campus where I taught and in the afternoons we adjourn to the music
the afternoons we adjourn to the music
the afternoons we adjourn to the music the music studios were the kids
the music studios were the kids
the music studios were the kids themselves then translated what they had
themselves then translated what they had
themselves then translated what they had experienced in the forest with the rap
experienced in the forest with the rap
experienced in the forest with the rap singer – making their own rap songs
singer – making their own rap songs
singer – making their own rap songs their own hip-hop songs and their own
their own hip-hop songs and their own
their own hip-hop songs and their own spoken word poetry another application
spoken word poetry another application
spoken word poetry another application of aesthetics of course is fashion very
of aesthetics of course is fashion very
of aesthetics of course is fashion very powerful business in terms of people’s
powerful business in terms of people’s
powerful business in terms of people’s self image and in terms of the amount of
self image and in terms of the amount of
self image and in terms of the amount of money that people spend on clothes I’m
money that people spend on clothes I’m
money that people spend on clothes I’m working now with a fashion designer in
working now with a fashion designer in
working now with a fashion designer in New York City to create a line of
New York City to create a line of
New York City to create a line of clothes called field guide in which we
clothes called field guide in which we
clothes called field guide in which we take an image from the forest canopy
take an image from the forest canopy
take an image from the forest canopy this is a piper plant piper
this is a piper plant piper
this is a piper plant piper Arita m– it grows in the canopy it’s in
Arita m– it grows in the canopy it’s in
Arita m– it grows in the canopy it’s in the same plant family as black pepper
the same plant family as black pepper
the same plant family as black pepper that you put on your scrambled eggs this
that you put on your scrambled eggs this
that you put on your scrambled eggs this morning we make little hang tags that go
morning we make little hang tags that go
morning we make little hang tags that go along with this so that the person who
along with this so that the person who
along with this so that the person who buys it will have that information and
buys it will have that information and
buys it will have that information and so when I first
so when I first
so when I first might go to Starbucks and I’m in line
might go to Starbucks and I’m in line
might go to Starbucks and I’m in line and Brooke sees me just Nalini nice
and Brooke sees me just Nalini nice
and Brooke sees me just Nalini nice jacket then I can tell her well this is
jacket then I can tell her well this is
jacket then I can tell her well this is Piper Eitam it grows on the Monteverdi
Piper Eitam it grows on the Monteverdi
Piper Eitam it grows on the Monteverdi forest clan lady it’s related to the
forest clan lady it’s related to the
forest clan lady it’s related to the black pepper and it’s an endangered
black pepper and it’s an endangered
black pepper and it’s an endangered ecosystem thereby getting the message to
ecosystem thereby getting the message to
ecosystem thereby getting the message to people again who might cherish clothes
people again who might cherish clothes
people again who might cherish clothes the applied aesthetics of clothes and
the applied aesthetics of clothes and
the applied aesthetics of clothes and fashion where they might never step foot
fashion where they might never step foot
fashion where they might never step foot in a tropical rainforest spiritual
in a tropical rainforest spiritual
in a tropical rainforest spiritual values are very pervasive about 80% of
values are very pervasive about 80% of
values are very pervasive about 80% of the people on this planet consider
the people on this planet consider
the people on this planet consider themselves religious or spiritual in
themselves religious or spiritual in
themselves religious or spiritual in nature and my technique for doing this
nature and my technique for doing this
nature and my technique for doing this for exploring the connection between the
for exploring the connection between the
for exploring the connection between the ecological values of trees with those of
ecological values of trees with those of
ecological values of trees with those of spiritual and religious people was to
spiritual and religious people was to
spiritual and religious people was to start reading and taking notes on the
start reading and taking notes on the
start reading and taking notes on the religious texts of all of the world
religious texts of all of the world
religious texts of all of the world religions to find out how trees and
religions to find out how trees and
religions to find out how trees and forests are described in the holy
forests are described in the holy
forests are described in the holy scriptures for example in the Old
scriptures for example in the Old
scriptures for example in the Old Testament I ended up downloading that
Testament I ended up downloading that
Testament I ended up downloading that from the from the web doing a search for
from the from the web doing a search for
from the from the web doing a search for the word tree in forest and finding that
the word tree in forest and finding that
the word tree in forest and finding that there were 328 references to the words
there were 328 references to the words
there were 328 references to the words tree and forests all of which relate to
tree and forests all of which relate to
tree and forests all of which relate to important cultural and religious values
important cultural and religious values
important cultural and religious values ornamentation for temples practical use
ornamentation for temples practical use
ornamentation for temples practical use location descriptions and so forth I did
location descriptions and so forth I did
location descriptions and so forth I did the same thing with a Koran with a
the same thing with a Koran with a
the same thing with a Koran with a Talmud with Buddhist writings in the
Talmud with Buddhist writings in the
Talmud with Buddhist writings in the Bhagavad Gita and it was able then to
Bhagavad Gita and it was able then to
Bhagavad Gita and it was able then to put together a number of sermons that
put together a number of sermons that
put together a number of sermons that I’ve taken to churches and temples and
I’ve taken to churches and temples and
I’ve taken to churches and temples and synagogues to provide evidence of the
synagogues to provide evidence of the
synagogues to provide evidence of the importance of trees growing not on my
importance of trees growing not on my
importance of trees growing not on my ecological values but rather the words
ecological values but rather the words
ecological values but rather the words of the Holy Scriptures of the people in
of the Holy Scriptures of the people in
of the Holy Scriptures of the people in the congregation themselves another
the congregation themselves another
the congregation themselves another thing that we’re doing is mapping trees
thing that we’re doing is mapping trees
thing that we’re doing is mapping trees and churchyards where we go to a
and churchyards where we go to a
and churchyards where we go to a churchyard we offer to map and document
churchyard we offer to map and document
churchyard we offer to map and document all of the trees on the sacred ground of
all of the trees on the sacred ground of
all of the trees on the sacred ground of the churchyard to remind people that
the churchyard to remind people that
the churchyard to remind people that they are protecting not only the nave
they are protecting not only the nave
they are protecting not only the nave and the Holy Scriptures and the pews and
and the Holy Scriptures and the pews and
and the Holy Scriptures and the pews and the pulpit but also the fact that the
the pulpit but also the fact that the
the pulpit but also the fact that the trees and the biota in their own
trees and the biota in their own
trees and the biota in their own churchyards are deserving of mindfulness
churchyards are deserving of mindfulness
churchyards are deserving of mindfulness and of stewardship and of understanding
and of stewardship and of understanding
and of stewardship and of understanding the last value all talked about is the
the last value all talked about is the
the last value all talked about is the value of social justice values basically
value of social justice values basically
value of social justice values basically when you think of the prisons in our
when you think of the prisons in our
when you think of the prisons in our country there are 2.3 million people who
country there are 2.3 million people who
country there are 2.3 million people who are incarcerated these people are kept
are incarcerated these people are kept
are incarcerated these people are kept away from nature as one of the
away from nature as one of the
away from nature as one of the consequences of their actions
consequences of their actions
consequences of their actions and that is something that I myself can
and that is something that I myself can
and that is something that I myself can hardly imagine but I thought that they
hardly imagine but I thought that they
hardly imagine but I thought that they might be great candidates for needing to
might be great candidates for needing to
might be great candidates for needing to learn about
learn about
learn about the importance of trees and forests my
the importance of trees and forests my
the importance of trees and forests my approach to this was to involve them
approach to this was to involve them
approach to this was to involve them with a ecological problem in the Pacific
with a ecological problem in the Pacific
with a ecological problem in the Pacific Northwest there’s a great deal of
Northwest there’s a great deal of
Northwest there’s a great deal of harvesting of mosses and lichens for the
harvesting of mosses and lichens for the
harvesting of mosses and lichens for the horticultural trade which is expanding
horticultural trade which is expanding
horticultural trade which is expanding my research has shown that these mosses
my research has shown that these mosses
my research has shown that these mosses take two to three decades to regrow and
take two to three decades to regrow and
take two to three decades to regrow and therefore it is not a sustainable
therefore it is not a sustainable
therefore it is not a sustainable practice and so I needed to engage some
practice and so I needed to engage some
practice and so I needed to engage some people who could help me learn how to
people who could help me learn how to
people who could help me learn how to farm mosses to reduce the collection of
farm mosses to reduce the collection of
farm mosses to reduce the collection of mosses from the wild it seems to me also
mosses from the wild it seems to me also
mosses from the wild it seems to me also that perhaps prisoners would be the best
that perhaps prisoners would be the best
that perhaps prisoners would be the best candidates for this they have a lot of
candidates for this they have a lot of
candidates for this they have a lot of time they have a lot of space they don’t
time they have a lot of space they don’t
time they have a lot of space they don’t need sharp tools to work with mosses and
need sharp tools to work with mosses and
need sharp tools to work with mosses and that’s exactly what happened I went to a
that’s exactly what happened I went to a
that’s exactly what happened I went to a minimum-security prison just south of
minimum-security prison just south of
minimum-security prison just south of Olympia Washington where I lived and I
Olympia Washington where I lived and I
Olympia Washington where I lived and I was able after going through two or
was able after going through two or
was able after going through two or three prisons found that in fact one of
three prisons found that in fact one of
three prisons found that in fact one of the superintendent’s was very
the superintendent’s was very
the superintendent’s was very sympathetic to this I was allowed to
sympathetic to this I was allowed to
sympathetic to this I was allowed to bring my mosses together we developed
bring my mosses together we developed
bring my mosses together we developed together with the inmates the study
together with the inmates the study
together with the inmates the study design and the the research itself we
design and the the research itself we
design and the the research itself we ended up publishing a number of
ended up publishing a number of
ended up publishing a number of scientific papers with the inmates as
scientific papers with the inmates as
scientific papers with the inmates as co-authors this was so successful in
co-authors this was so successful in
co-authors this was so successful in terms of the prisoners myself as a
terms of the prisoners myself as a
terms of the prisoners myself as a scientist and the prison administrators
scientist and the prison administrators
scientist and the prison administrators that I was asked to start a science
that I was asked to start a science
that I was asked to start a science lecture series and I did and I began
lecture series and I did and I began
lecture series and I did and I began bringing in other scientists
bringing in other scientists
bringing in other scientists sustainability experts these lectures
sustainability experts these lectures
sustainability experts these lectures then began inspiring the superintendent
then began inspiring the superintendent
then began inspiring the superintendent and the inmates themselves to start
and the inmates themselves to start
and the inmates themselves to start putting in organic Gardens vermiculture
putting in organic Gardens vermiculture
putting in organic Gardens vermiculture beekeeping water catchment and that led
beekeeping water catchment and that led
beekeeping water catchment and that led them to working with conservation groups
them to working with conservation groups
them to working with conservation groups to start having the inmates raise
to start having the inmates raise
to start having the inmates raise endangered plants for restoration the
endangered plants for restoration the
endangered plants for restoration the endangered Oregon spotted frog and the
endangered Oregon spotted frog and the
endangered Oregon spotted frog and the Taylor Checkerspot butterfly this
Taylor Checkerspot butterfly this
Taylor Checkerspot butterfly this program the sustainability and prisons
program the sustainability and prisons
program the sustainability and prisons project has now spread to ten state
project has now spread to ten state
project has now spread to ten state prisons in Washington State and we are
prisons in Washington State and we are
prisons in Washington State and we are now moving towards a nationwide effort
now moving towards a nationwide effort
now moving towards a nationwide effort to bring this program to other states
to bring this program to other states
to bring this program to other states and other universities we have a
and other universities we have a
and other universities we have a multitude of partners agencies NGOs and
multitude of partners agencies NGOs and
multitude of partners agencies NGOs and universities as well as corrections
universities as well as corrections
universities as well as corrections groups and we recently had a National
groups and we recently had a National
groups and we recently had a National Science foundation-funded conference to
Science foundation-funded conference to
Science foundation-funded conference to bring together people from ten different
bring together people from ten different
bring together people from ten different states to think about launching their
states to think about launching their
states to think about launching their own sustainability in prisons projects
own sustainability in prisons projects
own sustainability in prisons projects the last piece I’d like to talk about is
the last piece I’d like to talk about is
the last piece I’d like to talk about is the movement from despair to hope and it
the movement from despair to hope and it
the movement from despair to hope and it was in the prisons I began to feel that
was in the prisons I began to feel that
was in the prisons I began to feel that I was really in the pits of despair
I was really in the pits of despair
I was really in the pits of despair looking at what some of the prisoners
looking at what some of the prisoners
looking at what some of the prisoners have to deal with in their own lives we
have to deal with in their own lives we
have to deal with in their own lives we didn’t have access to all of the prisons
didn’t have access to all of the prisons
didn’t have access to all of the prisons and all of the prisoners in these
and all of the prisoners in these
and all of the prisoners in these projects because some of these prisoners
projects because some of these prisoners
projects because some of these prisoners are kept in what is called Supermax or
are kept in what is called Supermax or
are kept in what is called Supermax or segregated units where because of the
segregated units where because of the
segregated units where because of the violence of their crimes or the nature
violence of their crimes or the nature
violence of their crimes or the nature of their crimes they’re kept away in
of their crimes they’re kept away in
of their crimes they’re kept away in solitary confinement and small-scaled
solitary confinement and small-scaled
solitary confinement and small-scaled cells for 23 hours a day one hour a day
cells for 23 hours a day one hour a day
cells for 23 hours a day one hour a day they’re allowed to go out to what is
they’re allowed to go out to what is
they’re allowed to go out to what is called recreation yards they’re very
called recreation yards they’re very
called recreation yards they’re very bare and very sterile my idea was to
bare and very sterile my idea was to
bare and very sterile my idea was to bring nature imagery to these inmates we
bring nature imagery to these inmates we
bring nature imagery to these inmates we couldn’t bring frogs to them we couldn’t
couldn’t bring frogs to them we couldn’t
couldn’t bring frogs to them we couldn’t bring plants and soil to them but we
bring plants and soil to them but we
bring plants and soil to them but we could bring the images of trees the
could bring the images of trees the
could bring the images of trees the images of nature to them in these cells
images of nature to them in these cells
images of nature to them in these cells and that’s exactly what we’ve been able
and that’s exactly what we’ve been able
and that’s exactly what we’ve been able to do starting with one prison in Oregon
to do starting with one prison in Oregon
to do starting with one prison in Oregon state where we now have projectors that
state where we now have projectors that
state where we now have projectors that are now beaming images of trees and
are now beaming images of trees and
are now beaming images of trees and forests and other images of nature
forests and other images of nature
forests and other images of nature within these very sterile cells to at
within these very sterile cells to at
within these very sterile cells to at least show them and expose them to the
least show them and expose them to the
least show them and expose them to the beauty of trees which in other
beauty of trees which in other
beauty of trees which in other situations bring down stress brings down
situations bring down stress brings down
situations bring down stress brings down anxiety and brings down violence what we
anxiety and brings down violence what we
anxiety and brings down violence what we found on just the first two months is
found on just the first two months is
found on just the first two months is that in fact violent interactions and
that in fact violent interactions and
that in fact violent interactions and infractions have gone down in the units
infractions have gone down in the units
infractions have gone down in the units of where these nature imagery
of where these nature imagery
of where these nature imagery projections are being being offered and
projections are being being offered and
projections are being being offered and so we hope to get really strong evidence
so we hope to get really strong evidence
so we hope to get really strong evidence for that so that we can spread that to
for that so that we can spread that to
for that so that we can spread that to other prisons across the country all of
other prisons across the country all of
other prisons across the country all of us as explorers I think can think about
us as explorers I think can think about
us as explorers I think can think about ways that we can link the values of the
ways that we can link the values of the
ways that we can link the values of the plants and the animals and the people
plants and the animals and the people
plants and the animals and the people that we are investigating in these
that we are investigating in these
that we are investigating in these far-flung places to the public not just
far-flung places to the public not just
far-flung places to the public not just to the public and people like us but to
to the public and people like us but to
to the public and people like us but to the public that may not be so aware of
the public that may not be so aware of
the public that may not be so aware of the importance of ecological values and
the importance of ecological values and
the importance of ecological values and so I invite each of you to think about
so I invite each of you to think about
so I invite each of you to think about and I think all of you are explorers to
and I think all of you are explorers to
and I think all of you are explorers to think about the plant or animal or
think about the plant or animal or
think about the plant or animal or people that you might relate to other
people that you might relate to other
people that you might relate to other kinds of values within society in order
kinds of values within society in order
kinds of values within society in order to cut through the noise and communicate
to cut through the noise and communicate
to cut through the noise and communicate with them I’ve started what I call the
with them I’ve started what I call the
with them I’ve started what I call the research ambassador program funded by
research ambassador program funded by
research ambassador program funded by the National Science Foundation to take
the National Science Foundation to take
the National Science Foundation to take other scientists to do this kind of work
other scientists to do this kind of work
other scientists to do this kind of work to take their research their knowledge
to take their research their knowledge
to take their research their knowledge their deep knowledge moving from the
their deep knowledge moving from the
their deep knowledge moving from the unknown to the known and share that in
unknown to the known and share that in
unknown to the known and share that in an an inclusive way with other people in
an an inclusive way with other people in
an an inclusive way with other people in society
society
society I’ll end by just repeating that
I’ll end by just repeating that
I’ll end by just repeating that explorers do have the joy of
explorers do have the joy of
explorers do have the joy of investigating biota in place that lie
investigating biota in place that lie
investigating biota in place that lie outside the ordinary and that we must
outside the ordinary and that we must
outside the ordinary and that we must share what we learn with those who do
share what we learn with those who do
share what we learn with those who do not share our values although there’s
not share our values although there’s
not share our values although there’s really very little training at least in
really very little training at least in
really very little training at least in academia for this I believe that we all
academia for this I believe that we all
academia for this I believe that we all can do this I believe that if a single
can do this I believe that if a single
can do this I believe that if a single tree can move around our planet seven
tree can move around our planet seven
tree can move around our planet seven times in a year if Barbie can climb
times in a year if Barbie can climb
times in a year if Barbie can climb trees with her high-heeled feet
trees with her high-heeled feet
trees with her high-heeled feet if rap singers can inspire urban
if rap singers can inspire urban
if rap singers can inspire urban children if puppets can become places to
children if puppets can become places to
children if puppets can become places to preach about conservation and if
preach about conservation and if
preach about conservation and if prisoners can nurture species and bring
prisoners can nurture species and bring
prisoners can nurture species and bring them away from extinction while even
them away from extinction while even
them away from extinction while even these prisoners are still caged then I
these prisoners are still caged then I
these prisoners are still caged then I think that explorers like us can counter
think that explorers like us can counter
think that explorers like us can counter the deep-rooted and heavily trunk
the deep-rooted and heavily trunk
the deep-rooted and heavily trunk problems of plants and animals and
problems of plants and animals and
problems of plants and animals and people on our planet I’ve learned many
people on our planet I’ve learned many
people on our planet I’ve learned many lessons with the support of the National
lessons with the support of the National
lessons with the support of the National Geographic Society I’ve learned that by
Geographic Society I’ve learned that by
Geographic Society I’ve learned that by making creative leaps that turn out to
making creative leaps that turn out to
making creative leaps that turn out to be just small stepping stones by
be just small stepping stones by
be just small stepping stones by engaging it by engaging partners in all
engaging it by engaging partners in all
engaging it by engaging partners in all walks of life and most of all by opening
walks of life and most of all by opening
walks of life and most of all by opening ourselves to the values of others we can
ourselves to the values of others we can
ourselves to the values of others we can harness the beautiful movement of
harness the beautiful movement of
harness the beautiful movement of seemingly intractable intractable
seemingly intractable intractable
seemingly intractable intractable obstacles that will prove that will
obstacles that will prove that will
obstacles that will prove that will propel us upward and onward thank you
”
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