Linda Wilson’s Post

Touch: When was the last time your feet sunk into the Earth, you felt the rain on your skin, or you hand-gathered plants from Earth’s garden? Today on Earth Day, we’re feeling the weight of the many barriers that stand between us and our physical connection to the Earth and the deep ailments we face as a result. Without this crucial connection, it becomes difficult to see ourselves as a part of it. The E. in FARMERS stands for Earth which is meant to remind us of the importance of remaining connected to the creation around us. We see ourselves as being ‘of Earth’ so it’s no wonder our experiences are so intertwined with Her. There is a reason why while gardening we feel our shoulders relax and we begin to exhale more deeply. By nature of our society, we face a mix of barriers between us and the Earth. Some chosen and imposed barriers may be the shoes on our feet, the homes we live in, the cars we drive, and our near-constant state of absent-minded hurry. Unjust barriers of poverty and discriminatory processes like redlining can serve as structural barriers, relegating people to concrete jungles and environments where it can become nearly impossible to develop a deep connection with the Earth. While experiencing these barriers, being outside may not always be nourishing or safe. There is a difference between being outside and being in TOUCH with the Earth. The tension is the fact that not everyone has the opportunity to experience moments of Earth connection. For us this year, #EarthDay2024 is a prompt for us to consider how we might liberate these spaces for others. There is plenty of research and wisdom out there pointing to the deep nourishment we get from time spent outdoors, from physically touching the Earth and feeling its grounding effect, to the impacts of sunlight on our mood. In the same way that we can get energy from spending time with friends or family, we get energy from being with the Earth; and everyone should have access to that. Let us know in the comments what Earth Day looks like for you! P.S. Have you read our blog post yet? Seeds of Justice - Answering Change with Hope. https://lnkd.in/gDvsCTrf #EarthDay #healing #connection

As the year draws to a close and we prepare for exciting announcements, we’re reflecting on the incredible milestones we’ve reached together. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support, passion, and commitment of this amazing community. Here’s what we’ve accomplished together: 🌱 7 brand-new micro forests planted in Devon primary schools. 🌱 2 pilot forests reinvigorated and brought into the 'My Wacky Forest' family tree, bringing our total to 9 forests. 🌱 2,578 trees planted across 863m² of urban land. 🌱 518m² of wildflower area prepped. 🌱 A learning circle nestled in the heart of each forest. 🌱 752 children planted their very own tree. 🌱 2,898 free books distributed, sharing the adventures of Mushi. 🌱 4 pop up forests at venues across Plymouth. These numbers are more than just statistics, they’re a testament to the power of community, collaboration, and a shared love for our environment. To every volunteer, supporter, school, and child who planted a tree, to everyone who shared our story or cheered us on from the side lines, thank you from the ends of our roots. Here’s to even greener adventures in the year ahead. Look out for news on our upcoming projects, partnerships, more stories from Japan and Mushi madness 🌳 🌱 🌿 #CommunityImpact #UrbanGreening #SustainabilityMatters #NatureForFuture #TreePlanting #MyWackyForest #Mushi #GreenerTogether #LearningThroughNature #OutdoorClassrooms #2024Goals #YearInReview #ExcitingYearAhead Steve Warren-Brown Steve Evans Adam King Viola Hortová Nick Sprague Bethan Rose

When a flower doesn't bloom, 🌸 nurture its surroundings, not the petals. 🌿 Cultivate an environment of encouragement, understanding, and support. 🌼 Provide the right conditions: sunlight of positivity, soil of empathy, and water of patience. 🌱 Understand that growth takes time and care. 🕰️ Don't rush the process; instead, tend to the roots, ensuring they're strong and healthy. 🌻 Sometimes, it's not the flower that needs fixing, but the ecosystem it thrives in. 🌎 Let's create spaces where every bud can flourish, where diversity is celebrated, and where barriers to growth are dismantled. 🌺 Together, let's foster a garden of inclusivity, empowerment, and love. #BloomWithCare #EnvironmentMatters #NurtureNotFix #EmpowerFlowers #GrowTogether #InclusiveGrowth #SupportiveSpaces #FlourishWithLove #CelebrateDifferences #CultivateKindness #EmbraceDiversity #EncourageGrowth #PatienceIsKey #PositiveVibesOnly #EmpathyFirst #StrengthInUnity #HealthyRoots #GardenOfInclusion #EmpowermentJourney #LoveAndSupport #CreateChange #BetterTogether #UnityInDiversity #HarmonyInNature #BlossomWithCompassion

Finding the right neighborhood is like selecting the perfect setting for the next chapter of your life story. It's more than just a home; it's about the community, the daily rhythms, and the conveniences. From top-tier schools to a commute that's a breeze, the local eats, or green retreats, what's the non-negotiable for you in your next neighborhood? Share your top must-have that makes a place not just a location, but a lifestyle. #neighborhoodgoals #locationmatters #homebuyingtips #communityvibes #lifebydesign

Finding the right neighborhood is like selecting the perfect setting for the next chapter of your life story. It's more than just a home; it's about the community, the daily rhythms, and the conveniences. From top-tier schools to a commute that's a breeze, the local eats, or green retreats, what's the non-negotiable for you in your next neighborhood? Share your top must-have that makes a place not just a location, but a lifestyle. #neighborhoodgoals #locationmatters #homebuyingtips #communityvibes #lifebydesign

Can people be a force for good? Of course! In fact, for almost all of human history, people have been deeply connected with the ecosystems of which we were a part, carrying out the role of caregiver, collaborator, team mate and friend to the species and connections around them. And this is still happening today, in some places. Whenever we grow a garden, build soil, plant trees, and support businesses and people that do the same, we're achieving the modern equivalent of this. Being a part of our ecosystem. Taking care of our needs without trampling those of others. Giving back where we can. The way things are set up means we have certain challenges to overcome, but connecting and caretaking in the ways that we are able to brings a richness to our lives and communities. We are a force for good. We are a part of this global community. We are caretakers and collaborators with the world around us. How are you caretaking the Earth, even in a small way? #brennaquinlan #artwithpurpose #artasactivism

Finding the right neighborhood is like selecting the perfect setting for the next chapter of your life story. It's more than just a home; it's about the community, the daily rhythms, and the conveniences. From top-tier schools to a commute that's a breeze, the local eats, or green retreats, what's the non-negotiable for you in your next neighborhood? Share your top must-have that makes a place not just a location, but a lifestyle. #neighborhoodgoals #locationmatters #homebuyingtips #communityvibes #lifebydesign

Finding the right neighborhood is like selecting the perfect setting for the next chapter of your life story. It's more than just a home; it's about the community, the daily rhythms, and the conveniences. From top-tier schools to a commute that's a breeze, the local eats, or green retreats, what's the non-negotiable for you in your next neighborhood? Share your top must-have that makes a place not just a location, but a lifestyle. #neighborhoodgoals #locationmatters #homebuyingtips #communityvibes #lifebydesign

💌💖 Dive into the heartwarming world in Weidner’s communities! Our teams are encouraged to find little ways to help our residents feel connected to their "place" with #LoveNotes. Love Notes are creative acts of kindness that inspire a healthy sense of community! Watch how we spread joy, one heartfelt message at a time. #Weareweidner #WhyWeidner #WorkWithUs #CompanyCulture #PropertyManagement

“You are one of the most important health workers of our time — you engage kids in nature.” – Dr. David Erickson, Federal Reserve Bank of New York Equitable access to nature is not only one of the “upstream conditions” that supports children’s health and well-being — it could “save trillions on avoided chronic disease, incarceration, educational failures, and lost productivity.” (Excerpted from The Brookings Institution Press.) In his book “The Fifth Freedom,” senior vice president at Federal Reserve Bank of New York Dr. David Erickson explains how we “spend too much on downstream consequences of people living in poverty, rather than the upstream conditions that would guarantee an opportunity-rich childhood for all.” During the 2024 Nature Everywhere Conference, Dr. Erickson met with his friend and colleague Dr. Hanaa Hamdi, public health expert, Children & Nature Network board member and visiting scholar with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. They discussed how we can build a new, intersectional status quo, where nature can be used to avoid downstream medical costs and build an opportunity-rich childhood for all. What does an opportunity-rich childhood look like to you? What kinds of “upstream conditions” in society would make this type of childhood a reality for every child? https://bit.ly/3Abghr5 #FindingNatureNews #NatureEverywhere #Childhood #GreenSpaces #EquitableAccess #ChildrenAndNature