Earth Day is a time to appreciate all that’s happening locally. Peterborough Examiner – April 21, 2023 – by Drew Monkman When I think back to my childhood, so much of what I recall were moments spent outside: the joy of catching frogs and turtles; the excitement of evening grosbeaks coming to the Read more…
Envisioning what nature protection could look like in 20 years Peterborough Examiner – December 16, 2022 – by Drew Monkman Imagination is critical to sustainable and just futures for life on Earth. Imagining a species-rich future that also meets society’s needs engages with emotions that motivate action. As the COP 15 UN Read more…
Your enthusiasm for nature will be noticed by children A love of nature begins in childhood; every boy and girl is a budding naturalist. This should come as no surprise. Up until the agricultural revolution and, later, the emigration into villages and cities, humans grew up and lived in intimate Read more…
The average North American child can identify over 300 corporate logos, but only 10 native plants or animals – a telling indictment of our modern disconnection from the natural world. Even though children are born with an innate interest in nature, our society does little to nurture this predisposition. It Read more…
Every culture has its own origin story. They may be short anecdotes or elaborate narratives that help explain the mysteries of our existence. “Big History” is an origin story unlike any other. Instead of being rooted in a specific culture or geography, it presents a science-based perspective and is therefore Read more…
Nature is replete with beautiful vistas, vibrant colors, intriguing species, poetic moments and always the unexpected. It is wonderful to be able to capture some of these discoveries on paper and to reflect more deeply on the experience. Journaling is an activity that can help everyone – regardless of age Read more…
A love of nature begins in childhood; every boy and girl is a budding naturalist. This should come as no surprise. Up until the agricultural revolution and, later, the emigration into villages and cities, humans grew up and lived in intimate contact with natural environments. Survival depended on detailed knowledge Read more…
How do we raise engaged and concerned citizens in the 21st century? How can we teach our children to care for each other as well as the land, water and other species? Who will be the conservationists of the future when the average child can identify over 300 corporate logos, Read more…