Here are three stories to rewild your mind, shift horizons and help you regenerate life on Earth. With Crack Flowers I am seeking to bring new perspectives, ways of thinking, seeing and being into your life. The stories that make you question your worldview, knowledge and beliefs.
Did you spot a Crack Flower Story? Drop me a message to share her with the Shifting Horizons Community!
#1 🌸 Doubling Nature by Rewilding Gardens
“Private gardens in Britain cover 10 million acres, more than the total area of all the country's nature reserves.” Oliver Dauert
By rewilding the British gardens, without government or companies the citizens of the UK have the opportunity to double the amount of space for nature to rewild. Oliver helpfully shares 5 actions to rewild your garden.
# 1 Let it grow:
Mow your lawn less frequently to allow grasses & wildflowers to bloom, providing food for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
# 2 Plant native species:
Choose native plants and trees that are well-suited to your local environment. These plants support local wildlife and require less maintenance.
# 3 Create wildlife habitats:
Leave piles of leaves, logs, or rocks in your garden to provide shelter for insects, small mammals, and birds.
# 4 Add water:
Install a small pond or birdbath to attract amphibians, birds, and insects. Water sources are crucial for many species.
# 5 Cut chemical use:
Avoid using pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals can harm beneficial insects and disrupt the natural balance of your garden.
This year my parents rewilded their already pretty wild garden. They planted a wide range of native species, created ponds for frogs and birds and built nestle piles for insects and other wildlife. We are barely six months later and the garden is already buzzing with life and so are my parents.
» Seeking to rewild your garden and mind? I highly recommend joining Wildya
#2 Parking Spot Garden
Many houses, especially in suburban areas come with a parking spot. But what if you have no car? Can you turn the spot into a community garden, play area for kids or mini library? Most likely short-sighted policies in your municipality will prevent you from bringing more joy and life to your neighbourhood in these ways.
The only option is to get creative. This is exactly what Lee and Xavier in Brussels did. First, they turned their parking spot into a garden directly on the pavement, but the government kept taking it away. After they put it back a couple of times, they had an absolute genius idea and put their garden on wheels. It’s not a garden; it’s a trailer, which can legitimately occupy their parking spot.
If you are reading this, don’t own a car and want to bring some colour and life to your neighbourhood, you know what to do.
» For Tips and inspiration check out Guerilla Gardeners (In Dutch)
#3 Bird songs got sexier during the COVID-19 shutdown
Humans and our ways are impacting wider nature in countless ways. Ever imagined that a global pandemic would impact the sexiness of birds?
”Without the rumble of roadway traffic, sparrows could sing more softly and sweetly. When Phillips recorded the city birds’ songs during the shutdown, they were indeed softer. And, even though they were quieter, the calls travelled twice as far due to the lack of masking from other noise.
The urban birds also lowered their pitch during the shutdown. This wider vocal range is more attractive to female birds, says Derryberry. Striking a broad range of notes is more challenging, and a good way to impress other birds in earshot. “So their sexiness just went basically through the roof in the city during the lockdown,” says Derryberry. Suddenly, the city sparrows were singingly as sweetly as those in the countryside.
Quieting our cities could therefore potentially help increase local biodiversity, allowing animals that weren’t able to communicate over the din to move back in.”
Just by living in the noise and hussle of a city for long enough we often tend to numb our senses. I most intensely experienced it when I returned to my hometown, via the highway, after a couple of days of total silence in the woods. Anyone, who like me, is quite sensitive to noises, smells and other stimuli, recognizes how very present we humans are. I know that I shut down when too much is going on around me. I can only start to wonder how animals 20x smaller than me feel.
How can we create environments in which birds can feel sexier and hedgehogs can leisurely go on strolls?
» Listen to the recordings and learn more here → Bird songs got sexier during the COVID-19 shutdown
Let’s amplify stories that rewild our minds and hearts together. Support this newsletter by sharing it with your friends, family and colleagues. 😊
🖋️ Articles that Shift Horizons
Hippies, Hackers, Hipsters: Are We Changing the World or Just Talking About It?
Ecuador river is granted the right to not be polluted in historic court case
📚 Books I am reading
Civilized to Death, the price of progress - by Christoper Ryan
Living Resistance - by Kaitlin B. Curtice