Hi Compassionates,
Summer is here! Yes that’s right! It’s not an illusion. Or a mirage. It really is true.
Feels like the sun is really here to stay for a while. I mean, that is, it isn’t just making some illusionary appearance, before disappearing behind a big dark cloud again.. “NOW YOU SEE ME. NOW YOU DON’T.” Bellowed the big, round bellied sun, in a jovial voice:-)
It’s like we have all been truly granted a little breathing space, to enjoy a bit of mindful time outdoors. Thank you sun. 🙂
Tis the season for high energy, and growth. The season of flourishing, which could also be described as The SPACE RACE. A sudden explosion of flora, all making haste for the stars! The real space race perhaps! 🙂
I’ve been enjoying some mindful time outdoors in my local green space, Chingford Plain. A landscape blessed with countryside vibes, being on the London, Essex border. An expansive grassy, meadow habitat, with long horn cows grazing languidly.
Mindfulness is great to practice in meadows. Not only for relaxation and peace. But also to ponder on the meaning of biodiversity. The wildflower habitat is a haven for insects. So many different wildflowers and insects to pause and admire.
To put it into perspective. There are around 24,00 different species of Insect in the UK. Compared to a mere 50 native mammals. With birds doing marginally better, at 641 species. That’s food for thought. Perhaps we should be making the conservation of mammals more of a priority. But let’s face it. Everything is in decline. Due to the Anthropocene. The age of human activity.
By the way, talking on mammals, have you heard of project splatter? I recently discovered this. A really important citizen science project helping to prevent the mortality of UK wildlife that perish on roads, due to collisions with vehicles.
I’m sure you have witnessed it. A lifeless body by the side of the road. A sometimes macabre scene. One can only hope that the animal is put out of its misery as quickly as possible.
Reporting deaths to the Road Lab is a great way to actively help and practice citizen science. I mean I don’t think we, collectively, can afford to give up driving, that really isn’t practical for most people. But we could actively work together to prevent deaths on our roads.
If we witness a life taken. It can remind us to slow down a little, And hopefully, if we are moved enough, come up with inventive ways to help prevent collisions. Take foxes for example, half of their deaths are caused by vehicles. I’ve included this information on my digital download for the up and coming PC family pop sessions in Waltham Forest parks. Thank you to Waltham Forest council for helping to make that more possible.
And foxes aren’t the only wildlife that regularly perish. Barn Owls, Kestrels, Badgers, Hegehogs, Deer, Bats. There are many mammals and birds that meet a sorry end. Without us even being awares at times. Head over the Road lab website to take a look https://www.theroadlab.co.uk/get-involved.
We all need to work together to ensure wildlife conservation, and citizen science is a great way to do that. A great use of technology. And death is actually really important for us to reflect on. We are all headed for it. Death that is. So let’s make the most of our time here, and remember that we are sharing this planet with a myriad of different life forms, that all worthy of our respect, love, and compassion.
Have a great summer.
LMC xxx
planetcompassion.org 