Interactive: Trees & Paths photo submissions

July 28, 2022 ~ melaniereynolds ~ 23 Comments

First Request for submissions

Hello Nature-Led Friends!

It’s been a while since we’ve done any interactive activities, so here are two easy ways for you to participate and get out in nature or at least be inspired by it! It would be really exciting and interesting to get a variety of submissions from different regions and countries.

AUGUST PHOTO CHALLENGE: Unknown Paths SUBMIT BEFORE: AUGUST 31st

I always want to know what’s “over yonder” whether it be around a bend or over a hill. Paths that disappear out of view invite us to make new discoveries.

North Vancouver Island, British Columbia By Melanie Reynolds, 2018

In Japan, curved stone paths are the bane of drunks and demons alike. It is both an aesthetic design choice and a belief that one can lose the hot pursuit of a demon upon a crooked path.

Submission: Please submit a photo, illustration, or mixed media art project of a pathway that you find interesting.

Original submission or submitted with permission of the artist. Artist retains all rights to their work. It’s recommended that you watermark your art and/or fill in the meta data of the photo if you are concerned about copyright.

You email should include: Your submission as a .JPEG or .PNG file, General location (State/Province & Country), your name/the Artist’s name, and a link to your website if you have one.

Email to: natureledlife@gmail.com Subject: August Submission

The Prize: My love and gratitude for participating.

SEPTEMEBER PHOTO CHALLENGE: A Tree SUBMIT BEFORE: SEPTEMBER 30TH

Let’s highlight the beauty of different trees in a variety of settings. I’ll admit, I often find it a challenge to get a good picture of a single tree. Let’s how you do.

Alder in the Fog, At Home in Washington State, By Melanie Reynolds, 2022

Many cultures have stories about how different tree species inhabit spirits, special properties or symbolism. For example, the weeping willow is a symbol of death and grieving of a loved one in various cultures.

Submission: Please submit a photo, illustration, or mixed media art project of a tree that you find interesting.

You email should include: Your submission as a .JPEG or .PNG file, General location (State/Province & Country), your name/the Artist’s name, and a link to your website if you have one.

Email to: natureledlife@gmail.com Subject: September Submission

The Prize: My love and gratitude for participating.

Don’t let me down! Please participate! We would all love to see a diversity of interesting submissions. You have a month for each. It’s okay if you don’t consider yourself and “artist”, just give it a try!

Side Note: I’m currently recovering from surgery and working on my dark fairytales book. Content here might be a bit sporadic over the next two months. These photo submissions will give us all something to look forward too. Thank you!

Nature-Led Poll: The Results Are in!

October 11, 2021 ~ melaniereynolds ~ 7 Comments

First, I want to acknowledge today, October 11,2021, here in the United States as the holiday of Indigenous Peoples’ Day! This holiday falls on the second Monday in October and is a counter-celebration to what has previously been known as Columbus day. I believe this holiday is important to the modern United States for recognizing and reflecting upon the racism, forced assimilation and genocide of the Native peoples. Environmental Justice is Social Justice for all people!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the first Nature-Led poll!

Which topic are you most interested about?

1	How Habitats Shape Our Habits	3.63
2	3D Houses, The Future of Housing?	4.25
3	Social Engineering, The Great Deception	4.75
4	Vertical Farming for Urban Renewal	5.50
5	Science Fiction to Science Reality, Nature-Led Innovation	5.63
6	Tiny Forests Redux: Perils and Considerations	5.75
7	Why EcoTerrorism Doesn’t Work	6.25
8	Creating A Firewise Habitat	7.13
9	Social Learning: Finding Your Niche By Learning From Others	7.63
10	Extinction Level Events: A Dark Ray of Light	7.63
11	American “Downwinders”, The Generational Cost of War	9.63
12	Deconstructing Water: The Evolution of Open-World Game Environments	10.25

This is called a “Weighted Rank” I guess its like Golf where the lowest number is better.

*I missed an important word, I meant “3D-printed houses, The Future of Housing?” Most of you probably knew what I meant though as we’re already live in the 3rd-dimension. Stay tuned for 4th-dimensional living tips though! Maybe I’ll cover that next year! Haha

Other Topic?

What we can still learn from our early native true Americans?

(Short Answer: A LOT! Hahaha. I will discuss this question with an Indigenous friend. Maybe she will do her own guest post or give me her blessing on what I can pull together. As a White woman I can’t speak for Indigenous Americans, but I can share their words and work with you. There is an immeasurable amount of loss and heartbreak in trying to recover their lost languages and ways. Some of these have died with the elders and can never be recovered. Many tribes are currently fighting for a more just and sustainable future though. I would be happy to share their their ‘works in progress.’ I’m hoping this will be there time to shine, that their voices will be heard and that they can help guide us into a more sustainable future.)

What one person can do to actually make a difference.

When I figure this out I’ll let you know! This is my current obsession and why I was a little disappointed about the Regeneration book by Paul Hawken that I reviewed two weeks ago. I wish it had included more pages dedicated to this very topic.

Have a great week Nature-led friends!

First Ever Nature-Led Poll!

October 4, 2021 ~ melaniereynolds ~ 11 Comments

There are so many Nature-Led topics to write about. Help me out by letting me know what topics you’re most interested in. If you are new to the Nature-Led website, welcome! Don’t be shy about joining the vote! I try to deliver one freshly-pressed post each week. This weeks post is this survey. Let’s get started:

Here is a short list of topic titles currently on my mind. Please rank the topics from most interesting to least interesting: Hold your left mouse button to drag a title up or down the list in order of your interest from highest to lowest. If you would like to suggest a topic please do so in the “Other Topic?” comment box provided. Click “Finish Survey” button to submit your feedback.

Thank you for participating! I can’t wait to see how this how this works out!

Survey results will be revealed next Monday October 11th, 2021 by 5pm Pacific Standard Time.

The survey itself has no official closing date. Should you arrive here after the Oct 11, 2021 deadline please feel free to submit your feedback anyways, especially if you have any additional topics of interest you would like to see. Thank you!