connections with nature“It takes time – loose, unstructured dreamtime – to experience nature in a meaningful way…”
“Last Child in the Woods” Richard Louv A connection to the natural world feeds into every project I work on in one way or another. I’ve been drawn to nature since I was very tiny and my early childhood memories contain much that still really inspires me: the discoveries of pond-creatures, getting to know local wild places, watching insects and birds, creating illustrations and stories about the natural world around me, using sticks to make dens, making potions from flower petals and so much more… As an adult this connection with nature is crucial to me and I feel strongly that we all need to ensure access to the “wild” is given to today’s children. It’s become more of a driven thing for me in the work that I undertake. A disconnection with the natural world is an increasingly recognised part of the childhood of many contemporary children – and thereby also of the adults around them (and the adults they might become). It feeds into a wider sense of time and modern living; we live in a “quick-fix” world where things are available at the push of a button or the click of a keyboard… Nature doesn’t operate at the bush of a button, it takes time to explore and experience – and is all the more deep-rooted, meaningful and restorative because of this. There is a growing movement to address a disconnection with nature and to offer projects, initiatives, opportunities and information to support children and adults in spending time with the natural world. I feel really lucky to work on a number of projects that are just a small part of a much wider field of initiatives. see also: wildlife friendly gardens photography forest schools Residency with Dunkirk Primary and Nursery School working with natural materials: clay, mud and sand water patterns and images loose parts willow natural light |
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