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Mar 11

On Biophilia and Country music

If you’re not familiar with the concept of Biophilia, here’s a short definition:

The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between human beings and other living systems. Edward O. Wilson introduced and popularized the hypothesis in his book entitled Biophilia. The term literally means “love of life or living systems.” Wilson suggests that biophilia describes “the connections that human beings subconsciously seek with the rest of life.” He proposed the possibility that the deep affiliations humans have with nature are rooted in our biology. (adapted from Wikipedia)

This “affiliation” with nature, whether conscious or subconscious, seems to be inherently tied to a connection with place. It’s the reason that after years of my being away, a springtime visit to my native State was as comforting as walking into my childhood home. There was just something in the air – turns out it was mostly pollen – but still I was deeply connected to the warm air and early green of a north Florida spring. It was undoubtedly a factor in my return to the area.

I know I’m simplifying the biophilia hypothesis to a degree that most scientists won’t appreciate, but when it comes down to it, I do believe it is simple. We are tied to place and living systems in ways that we can’t even calculate. And it is through our connection to nature that we establish, strengthen, and grow our connections with each other. Nature is the great equalizer. We all have experienced environmental factors and some sort of living system that has contributed to who we are. And that tie is something we can all share, even if the landscape is different.

This relationship is celebrated and addressed in literature, art and music. One of my favorite lines of all time is from a Ryan Adams song that says “all the sweetest winds they blow across the South.” One genre of music that really gets it is Country music. And yes, I am from the South, but I also ignored Country music for a good deal of my life because of that very fact. I considered my taste to be “more sophisticated,” whatever that means. But these days I listen to the words from a different frame of reference.

It was my grandfather (aka Daddytruck because he used to drive an 18-wheeler) that told me a few years before he passed how much he liked Country music because it speaks the truth. He explained that it talks about real life, relatable things like love and work. Ironically, I’ve also noticed that you will hear a great deal about nature in Country songs. The connection with place is so ingrained in the songs. For example, one of Daddytruck’s favorites was “Country Roads,” by John Denver.

Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue Ridge Mountain, Shanandoa River,
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze

More recently I was listening to the radio the other day and these words came up:

From the mountains high to the wave-crashed coast
There’s a way to find better days, I know
It’s been a long hard ride, got a ways to go
But this is still the place that we all call home

Do you think this connection to the landscape is a regional thing? I always assumed that people from all regions feel it, but I wouldn’t really know since I’m personally tied to the Southeastern United States. The biophilia hypothesis would suggest that it occurs everywhere. I’m more worried that it may be a generational thing. The less time our children spend outdoors, hands in the dirt, the less connection they will have to their landscape, region, and community (physical place AND living system). But that’s a blog topic for another day.

If you’re not familiar with Country music, I’d like to share with you the words of one other song that I think speaks so poignantly to the tie that we have to nature and how it brings us together. It’s from a Trace Adkins song called “Just Fishin’” and seeing as how I’m a big supporter of the Children and Nature movement, these words speak volumes.

Getting ready to fish with Daddytruck, circa 1980

I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel
She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still
Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels
And her kittens
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

I say, “Daddy loves you, baby” one more time
She says, “I know. I think I got a bite.”
And all this laughin’, cryin, smilin’ dyin’ here inside’s
What I call, livin’

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we couldn’t fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious

My oldest and his Pops, circa 2011

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She’s already pretty, like her mama is
Gonna drive the boys all crazy
Give her daddy fits
And I better do this every chance I get
‘Cause time is tickin’
(Yeah it is)

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we couldn’t fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Yeah, aww, she thinks we’re just fishin’
We ain’t only fishin’
(This ain’t about fishin’)

Daddytruck would be proud!

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Feb 16

Play is everywhere – if we let it be

I’ve spent the last few months observing my boys (and other kids) when we are out and about. At 3 and 6, they are constantly finding ways to turn everyday objects and spaces into challenging games or simple play structures. Bike racks, curbs, fountains, and planters become intriguing when you’re 3 feet tall and out running errands. When I can, I try not to hurry them along or tell them “that’s not a place to play.” After all, it looks like fun and I am realizing more and more that the liberty to play and discover is no longer the standard in free time for our kids.

If you’ve read this blog, or any newspaper, in the last few years you’ve seen the arguments over the state of our children – diabetes, obesity, education disparities, testing, over scheduling, “over”parenting – the list goes on and on. Play is not the magic bullet, but it’s pretty darn close. It is the natural state of childhood, the unlearned way to learn.

photo credit Charlie Summers (via flickr)

Baby animals of all other species use it to acclimate themselves to their world and develop their own instincts and skill set. Children use it the same way – to understand their surroundings, learn how to work together, use their imaginations. And yes, most schools do have playgrounds (thankfully we haven’t gotten rid of those) with structures to climb up, slide down, and space to run. But I would argue that children shouldn’t be limited to our standard, carefully engineered, ways or spaces to play. Open ended, diverse, dynamic environments in the fresh air (or even indoors) offer so much more. Eventually using the same playground everyday will get boring anyhow. Or worse, the kids will begin to feel confined and indifferent, leading other outdoor spaces without vast areas of mulch and manmade, metal monkey bars to seem scary or strange. While my view may seem pessimistic, I’m watching it happen. I just spent some time in a classroom with 10 and 11 year-olds where images of a non-traditional park with fallen trees to climb would “only be fun for the creative kids” and the thought of a play area with plants led many of them to immediately mention “bees,” “hornets,” and “poison ivy.” I naively think all kids are creative, but it seems they’re losing that instinct earlier and earlier.

Even the American Academy of Pediatrics has come out in support of the benefits of play. A recent video released by the Alliance for Childhood and Kaboom! explains how the natural impetus to play is being stifled in most of our children and that it is significantly impacting their health and well-being. To view the video, click the following link Prescription for Play.

As parents, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the things that our children “should” be doing. I get that. And the job is no less complicated for teachers, many of whom must do their best to serve the kids under strict circumstances and tight time schedules. I’ve discovered that many of them have their own good instincts about what the kids need, but they only have so much time with them and resources with which to work. The responsibility should really be shared. Legislators, government officials, parents, teachers, school administrators, mentors, and grandparents clearly have an opportunity through their policies, rules, and time with the children in their lives. On the flip side, doctors, planners, designers, and community advocates can also be doing their part. Free time and play can be prescribed. Schools, neighborhoods, and parks, even common public areas like shopping malls, grocery stores, and airports, can be conceived and designed with creative play in mind. And information can be disseminated about the importance of play to those who might think it’s a waste of time.

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Jan 16

Good on ya!

About 15 years ago I was lucky enough to spend some time in Western Australia. It was my choice for a university study abroad program mainly for two reasons. 1) I didn’t have to be fluent in another language and 2) the lure of the outdoor experience there. Before experiencing it I equated Australia with: the Outback (not the restaurant), the Great Barrier Reef, koalas, and kangaroos. Clearly I was affected by the characterization of the country more than anything – but the common thread in all of my assumptions of Australia was the outdoor factor. It seemed odd to many people at the time, especially since I was a Fine Arts major. I guess people assumed that I would want to go witness the masterpieces found in the Sistine Chapel or ancient Roman architecture, but I still haven’t seen any of those places in person. In choosing Perth, I was truly able to experience and appreciate a whole other side of the natural world.

from the Nature Play WA website

The experience far surpassed my imagination. Whether we were sailing, camping, scuba diving, horseback riding, skydiving, being chased by an emu or exploring a gorge, we were almost constantly outside. The memories and independence I got from my time there still drives me in what I do today. Ironically, I recently stumbled upon the website for Nature Play WA. I would never have imagined that kids growing up in a place like Western Australia were not getting outside enough. There are so many opportunities to do so! I guess it was different 15 years ago, being in a new and different place with little to do besides study, play, and hit the Sail & Anchor. Still, it got me thinking about missed opportunities on this side of the world and places that we take for granted and don’t explore when we get busy in life.

Here in North Florida we are surrounded by some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes in the world. Wakulla Springs and Torreya are an hour away, and I still haven’t been on a beach that is more beautiful than the one just two hours down the road stretching from Mexico Beach to Destin. Amazing places are right under our noses, whether at home or across the globe. And yes, we are all busy living, working and keeping our heads above water, despite our natural settings. We are not always able to step away for a few days or even a few hours to take advantage of the nature around us.

This fact is what makes the landscape of our daily lives all the more important. It’s also what keeps me looking for ways that our built environment can better reflect our natural environment, especially when we don’t have the time or the ability to explore our more majestic natural resources. Not to say that walking through a parking lot can replace a hike in the woods, but it certainly can a) be less generic, b) be more ecologically sound and c) be more beautiful. Don’t you agree?

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Jan 2

A fresh start with fresh air

Happy New Year! Although I believe that every day offers a chance for a fresh start, January 1st is symbolic as the day when we can officially put our best foot forward to create better habits (that hopefully last beyond March). My list is long again this year, perhaps longer than it should be in order to truly be successful – be on time, drink more water, stay on top of this blog, etc, etc. Perhaps it needs some simplification (another resolution for 2012 – ironic, eh?)

Going outside is something I inevitably do everyday, even if it’s just from the car to work to school to home and so on. So to create a resolution that will be easy to keep, I have decided to take a little extra time to do something outside everyday. Maybe a run, walk my slightly overweight dog, eat my lunch at a park somewhere, or just find a bench and sit.

Image credit: http://www.thinktheearth.net/thinkdaily/report/2010/08/rpt-53.html

Winter of course doesn’t lend itself to that particular resolution in most places. The cold, grey, and sometimes wet days don’t really lend themselves to an outdoor stroll or a trip to the playground. But there are covered porches, raincoats, mittens, and umbrellas! We weren’t intended to only be outside in good weather. Our kids can take it too, by the way. Dressed appropriately, we can be outside year-round. Take it from the kids in the Waldkindergärtens, or “forest kindergartens,” in Germany, or New York for that matter! They go to school outside, rain, snow or shine.

So here I’d like to offer the top five reasons to add “spend time outside everyday” to your list of resolutions.

  1. Fresh air – Despite concerns about smog or outdoor air quality, the fact remains that the risks of exposure to particles that can adversely affect your health is higher indoors. Our ventilation systems indoors are not superior to the natural filters found outdoors, especially in areas with lots of tree cover. “Because of the heightened concentration levels, the worst exposure to carcinogens and dangerous pollutants tends to occur in indoor environments. Most gases and particles outdoors become diluted or minimized instantly.” Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/185502-outdoor-air-vs-indoor-air/#ixzz1iGPhBPWh
  2. Using all your senses . . . at once! Not only does this stimulate our brains, but it can actually contribute to our creativity and intelligence. Read more: http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/media/books/Get-Your-Mind-Dirty.html
  3. It is never the same – different day, different season, different temperature. Even in the same exact place, environmental factors provide ever-changing interest and beauty outdoors. You know how you can get sick of your furniture arrangement, causing you to move it around every so often? Step outside . . . no sofa moving required!
  4. Vitamin D – Being outside is good for the bones! Vitamin D contributes to the absorption of calcium, helping us maintain strong bones.  Sun exposure (even through cloudy skies) is one way to get a particular form of Vitamin D – Vitamin D3. “As little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies.” (source: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-d/NS_patient-vitamind)
  5. Disconnect to reconnect – Like most working professionals, I spend way too much of my day staring at a computer. Regardless of the immediacy of Facebook or the reach of the internet, none of these electronic tools can connect you to your world in the way that being outside in the world can. You could IM, or talk to a neighbor face-to-face; surf to Weather Underground, or just step outside. It really is so much simpler.

Mama Bear had it right.

Wishing you all a healthy and enriching 2012 outside! And if my resolutions hold up, I’ll see you next week.

 

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Dec 19

Room (or hallway) with a view

If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade. -Tom Peters

A couple of weeks ago I made my first visit to a local diagnostic office here in town – nothing scary, just routine stuff. The building is fairly new so I was being particularly observant. I love seeing if, and how, new construction has progressed, especially in the healthcare realm.

The parking lot is separated from the building by a circular drop-off driveway, accommodating those with trouble walking far distances while at the same time encouraging others to walk – even a little. There is decent shade in the parking lot, or will be as the trees start to fill out; and the entry is open and clear. The inside is even better. Huge windows across the front facade provide a ton of natural light on every floor. It is open and bright – both qualities you can’t find in most older health facilities. Needless to say, I was impressed. If I had to be in any type of medical environment, this one was not necessarily a bad option.

I had my test and checked out, heading towards the elevators at the south end of the building. I was drawn to another window next to the elevators but was more than a little disappointed at my view. The window framed out a view of the stark, white roof. This image is not something most people would contemplate, I realize, but it just didn’t fit with the rest of the experience. With all of the care and attention to detail in the design of the building, I expected more. I quickly took a picture with my phone, eager to create an image that would match what I saw in my mind. You can see on this page what I was thinking. A vegetated roof that would save energy, improve views, and provide outdoor seating and break areas for staff and visitors.

That experience clarified my notion of all the possibilities that still exist in our built environment. The built environment can frame and shape people’s experiences. Thoughtful architecture is great, but paired with thoughtful landscape architecture or environmental (experiential) design, it could be even better. We shouldn’t expect our everyday places to be standard, or even worse, to be unhealthy – either for our bodies or our minds. And we most certainly shouldn’t expect the same of our innovative healthcare facilities. Aesthetics of care and encouragement do play a part in healthcare – both inside and out.

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Dec 12

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Design for Change

I believe it is true that all design mediums have an ability to create significant change. Design is more than aesthetics, it shapes and frames the way we live our lives on a daily basis. Part of the reason I pursued a future in landscape architecture eight years ago was that I believed (and still do) that it is a way to make a significant impact on people’s lives, even in a small way. Although I was already working in an extremely powerful medium at the time, I quit my job in advertising with the assumption that sitting behind a computer wasn’t going to ignite the real changes I envisioned (ironic, now that I’m perched behind my computer screen at some ungodly hour!) Still, I think the difference I hoped to make was physical, as opposed to a more theoretical mind shift.

It’s not that we are making laws or healing the sick or anything like that . . . at least not directly. The fact is, we are problem solvers; and there are plenty of problems to solve these days. As my graduate alma mater puts it so eloquently, those who have chosen a life in design require the courage to search for harmony and meaning in a world with far too little of either (N.C. State University College of Design).

I recently stumbled upon a commencement address given to the Center for Creative Studies by Paul Goldberger about the impact and meaning of art and design in a modern world. I was intrigued by his observation that design cannot save the world, but it CAN change it. Here’s an excerpt from his address.

The world does not need art and design in the same way that it needs bread. Yet when it gets these things, they can have, as all of you know, an astonishingly transforming power. All of you know this because you have spent the last years studying how people have changed the world by virtue of the things they have designed, the artists and architects and fashion designers and car designers and photographers and ceramicists and graphic designers and product designers who have thought things up out of their heads that were a little different, and a little better, than anybody had conceived of before, and after which the world never looked quite the same again, to anyone. . . Design is not life. Life is life. Follow your passions – but know how they fit into the world, know that you are part of something bigger, that you, and design as an idea, are not complete, perfect, wholly formed things for which society has been waiting, but are part of a process, a process to which you can add, and which you will change by your presence. . . . And design, for those of you whose lives are focused in that direction, is a mechanism, a tool. It is a device. Design is not about design. It is about solving problems, about making life easier, about making delight and joy and cleverness and ease and comfort. – Paul Goldberger, 1998

photo courtesy of www.goplayproject.org

The design profession I know best is that of the built environment and those who work in that realm are doing some amazing things. They are not just creating joy and delight, but are also having a significant impact on health and well-being. From the Lawn Mower Gang in Detroit that keeps

photo courtesy of http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/crowdsourcing-detroit-swings

up abandoned parks and replaces swings to Architecture for Humanity that designs, constructs and develops needed resources in communities worldwide, there is a way to use your passion to make a difference. I’m constantly inspired by these people, like the organization Go Play! that recognizes play as a valuable resource for the development and success of children. They are creating play spaces for kids across the globe, often out of inexpensive and reused materials that are not typically used on playgrounds.

Many of our problems require the kind of creative thinking that we are trained for in art and design. Thoughtful solutions require people who are willing to really get to the root of the problem, and who care enough to pursue answers that are not widely known or accepted. I’m encouraged by all of the people I see stepping up to the plate to take on issues that were typically left to policy-makers to solve. We truly can design for change, and that is the best payment of all.

 

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Oct 10

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs

My first experience with an Apple computer was in elementary school. I even learned how to do some early computer drawings with colored lines and the arrow keys. I drew a train car that took me about 6 hours. Kind of ironic now that I’m sitting in front of big Apple screen, with my iPhone next to me and still drawing pictures on the computer. Luckily they are a lot more interesting than my caboose was back in 1986.

If you haven’t seen this commencement address given by Steve Jobs back in 2005, please take 15 minutes to do so. I love what I do and after seeing this again, I realize just how lucky I am.
How to Live Before You Die by Steve Jobs

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Oct 5

Updated blog move

So, it looks like the official move will take place around the 15th of this month. The new site will actually be . . .

http://blog.designfromthegroundup.com

My next post will show up at both sites until the transition is made. More to come!

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Sep 17

1 Comment

More evidence – I love it!

I receive the weekly e-newsletter from ASLA called The Dirt. It always has interesting articles (and a great name) that catch my attention and this past week was no exception – “Research Shows Nature Helps With Stress.” You can click here for a link to that post.

You should check out The Dirt if you are interested in the impact of design on well . . . anything! It is a great resource and I continue to be so proud to be a part of this profession that combines art, design, natural history, ecology, sociology, nature, people, health and other issues on every project. The most pure and true practice of Landscape Architecture is a great example of a service profession. It’s not about making things look pretty, or trimming shrubs (not bushes) to look like Mickey Mouse (what one of my dearest friends thought I was going to do when I told her I was going to get my Masters degree in Landscape Architecture – gotta love her!) It truly is about making a difference that people can live, sense, experience AND see.

Please note that beginning October 1st, the Play of the Land blog will be moving to a different domain. You will be able to access the same blog at blog.designfromthegroundup.com/blog next month. Thank you!

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Aug 24

School has started and recess is still best!

This might be a record! Two posts in just a week’s time, but I couldn’t help myself. My oldest son started school this week (kindergarten) at his new, “big,” public school. I’ve been nervous about this for a while with all of the changes occurring in education lately. So on Monday I made sure to speak to the teacher, make sure he was situated and alright, and then scoot out of there as quickly as I could. I didn’t want to let him see my nerves in full force and I’m sure the teacher most definitely needed us out of her hair to establish a routine and a rapport with the kids.

Come 3:00 I was itching to hear all about his first day. He said it was good and when I asked him what his favorite part of the day was, he said recess! Yeah! Sounds just as it should. Now the question is, how will this enthusiasm continue into the weeks when he’s stuck at a desk all day taking the FCAT? I can only hope that things loosen up a bit by then (we’ve got three years!) and that more people begin to hear the drum beating that connects outdoor play with healthy and happy kids.

To get it started, take a look at this short video.

Richard Louv on Education

Oh and by the way, I don’t think my kid’s room has windows! If it does, they are covered with blinds – I’ll have to take a closer look next time.

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