Encyclopedia of Life

The Encyclopedia of Life is an amazing project, "an unprecedented global partnership between the scientific community and the general public....... to make freely available to anyone knowledge about all the world’s organisms."

The photo above is of the Penstemon newberryi Gray, commonly called Mountain Pride. Who knew? All from this website.

"Imagine an electronic page for each species of organism on Earth..." - Edward O. Wilson

What a fantastic resource. Can't quite get over it......

Cities for People

Jan Gehl's new book "Cities for People" is next on my list. I just read a great interview over at "The Dirt" and must buy it.....

I was going to add a couple of quotes but couldn't decide which quote I wanted to add, save copying and pasting the whole interview.......... so go read.

Mother Nature's Child

Mother Nature's Child is a documentary film by Camilla Rockwell.

It explores "nature’s powerful role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood and adolescents. The film marks a moment in time when a living generation can still recall childhoods of free play outdoors; this will not be true for most children growing up today. The effects of “nature deficit disorder” are now being noted across the country in epidemics of child obesity, attention disorders, and depression."

Available to buy at the film's website.

Urban Prescriptions/Recetas Urbanas

Excellent project called Legalisation and Temporary Occupation of Empty Lots, by Spanish architect Santiago Cirugeda.

Found via Architectradure.

(Sorry about the tiny photos to the right but they were worth including just to tempt you to check out the website...)

Sustainable Prisons Project

The Evergreen State College and Washington State Department of Corrections project "Sustainable Prisons" tag line is:

"We connect prisons with nature."

"Our mission is to bring science and nature into prisons. We conduct ecological research and conserve biodiversity by forging collaborations with scientists, inmates, prison staff, students, and community partners. Equally important, we help reduce the environmental, economic, and human costs of prisons by inspiring and informing sustainable practices."

Wow.

No Right Brain Left Behind Update

I posted about this project a few months back and they now have a shortlist of projects from various different companies/design studios on their website. They have ideas from rewarding kids with gift cards and reading badges to a stand-up desk that enables creative behaviour.

www.rightbrainsare.us

Woodland Trust gets hip.

Download this at iTunes and all proceeds go to the Woodland Trust.

Garden for Wildlife Month

Over at the National Wildlife Fund they are promoting their garden for wildlife certification by offering to plant a tree on your behalf if you certify your garden or yard anytime in the month of May. The tree will be planted by children and young folk as part of their Trees for the 21st Program. (" an ambitious tree planting program as a way to provide hands-on activities for children and youth to learn about, and become long-term stewards of the environment.") Love it, love it, love it.

If you've been putting this off, now's the time to do it.

Coffee and a park

A bit behind again with this article but it's interesting all the same. All part the UK's new government plan to make everyone happy, while they pay off the deficit....

I have recently moved to a house (and in a country, according to a recent study, that is the happiest place on earth) that has nature all around and I love it but I could walk the length and breadth of my neighbourhood and not find a decent coffee shop anywhere.

So, not to belittle my local forest and beach but I agree with the heading, a nice patch of nature and a good cup of coffee and I'm a happy camper.

The Nature Principle

While I admit it may seem like I have been living as a troglodyte, I am ashamed to say that I have not and have no excuse for not knowing that Richard Louv's new book is out!

I was a huge fan of "Last Child in the Woods" and hope to get my sweaty little hands on a copy of "The Nature Principle" as soon as I can. I urge you to do the same, I'll sure it will not disappoint.....

Imagination

Great website promoting creativity and imagination in our school systems as a way to help kids in the future.... The two co-directors say we are living in an "Imagination Age".

Love the graphics as well. Check it out here.