Ten inspiring examples to celebrate trees and reconnect with nature
By Alana Tucker
How do people engage with nature? Are they so far removed from it in their daily lives that it has become impossible? Is a connection to nature something people inherently crave? These are questions I ask myself, sometimes cheerily, as I consider the whimsy of the natural environment on a weekend walk, and other times, less so, as I note the urgency with how climate change and its impact on human life must be addressed.
The answers to my questions may not be clear, but consider one way that the conversation can begin: nature as art. Art forms that celebrate nature allow us to reflect on complex or unique aspects of the human experience and how we feel and connect to the earth and one another. By merging the natural with the created world, we can allow for more conversation around what constitutes a human life and how to preserve and enhance it.
Now, this conversation is more important than ever—the world has changed drastically over the last few decades. More and more people across the United States live in urban, industrialized areas, and the average American now spends 90 percent of the time indoors. As a result, one challenge that city leaders face is ensuring their cities are not devoid of nature amidst development and encouraging citizens to utilize existing green spaces.