Earth Blog: Water as Space

Last week my Ecocritism class had a conversation about pride and the St. Johns River. Or rather the lack there of. Because of this I made an effort to spend time overlooking the River this week. I went out a number of times and each time had a different experience. First I went to read for a class at Memorial Park on the water in Riverside. I immediately noticed an easier ability to focus. Something about the quiet calm allowed my mind to fully absorb the text. I had to wonder what it was about this space that allowed for my mind to open up, not unlike the space in front of me.

The second time I went out when the last light had fallen. I peered over the edge of a stone pillared railing and what I saw charged a completely different sensation. I saw the water as thick molasses—like a malaise. It turned into something almost terrifying. It felt as though the water would swallow whole me if I fell in. There was something about the smooth, bobbing flow that sparked imagination in me though. Sure, I thought about what it would be like to fall in and swarm in the open darkness of the breathing tide. But I also began to think of images, stories and plots. I began cataloging all the senses I was feeling, how I would describe all the images around the moonlight. It was strange how, instantly, once again my mind had been opened by sense and sight of the open space.

My Photo. In Riverside, Jacksonville FL. St. Johns River

Another occasion, I went out to Stinson Park to let my children play on the playground by the harbor. We originally went to watch the Blue Angels fly over of the river in front of Bettes Park. I even parked on a waterside street in Avondale to stare out over the mass of water. I suppose in some way I was trying to understand it better. I asked myself, how can a river so large just be overlooked? I found that the simplicity of the sun’s rays glittering atop the water or the stark call of a seagull coasting on the wind was incredibly peaceful. Still, I was unable to place what I was feeling specifically . I had to wonder--what if more people went and sat soaking up the St. Johns as if it was character in a book or something with a voice. After all, wasn't that what I was doing? In my own way it was speaking to me.

One thing that remained constant across all the visits to the River was how completely uncluttered I felt.  Not only did my mind feel open but the space was physically around me. There’s a 'space' across water that we don’t get in most places. Even small ponds or wetlands allow for the sky to open up and become taller. It allows for us to see a big picture, not just what is in physically obstructing our views, like houses or trees. There are many beautiful nature scenes but physically, there is not much like the uncluttered panorama’s overlooking outstretched water in our everyday lives.

There is something about open space that gives some sort of mental “time-out” and allows for our minds to escape the distraction that forms all around us in other landscapes or urban settings. According to Nora J. Rubinstein's work , The Psychological Value of Open Space, “Perhaps the dominant expressed rationale for using open space is the need for a place of contemplation and solitude. Many say they seek places set apart physically, or separated from other people, while others seek to simply remove themselves from their daily rituals and need no physical or social separation.”  Water is one of the most open areas we as humans can go to. A place that is nearly impossible to overpopulate by man-made structures. Therefore, it acts as a sort of haven away from 'structure' itself and perhaps even allows the mind to break away from the ‘pressure’ of those structures and all the psychological babel that comes along with it. Open space  tends to “suggests that nature serves to reduce our stress by reducing physiological arousal, and the alternate perspective suggests that stress results from our efforts to deal with 'information overload'. Nature is seen as an effective stress reducer because it provides a kind of 'cognitive quiet', necessitating fewer decisions based on external demands.”

I took a couple photo's to demonstrate how the open river looks in comparison to a landscape that is normally overpopulated with things. In Stinson Park,  I not only took photos in front of me overlooking the water, but also turned around and took photos behind me to show the contrast of open space compared to obstructed space. Even in a beautiful park the land adds a bit of edge and shadow, whereas the open water adds lightness. I highly suggest you go to a open expanse of a water and see how you feel after five minutes just looking our over it. Consider it a therapy of sorts. Let your mind open, wonder and create.

Open space compared to...

limited viewing of landscape

Barnes, M. A. (1994). A Study of the process of emotional healing in outdoor spaces and the concomitant landscape design implications [Unpublished Master's Thesis] (Clare Cooper Marcus, Chair)

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of nature: A Psychological perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Robunstein, Nora J. Ph.D. The Psychological Value of Open Space. Chapter 4 http://www.greatswamp.org/Education/rubinstein.htm. Viewed: November 6, 2011

Earth Blog: Lessons in the Sublime

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods; 

 There is a rapture on the lonely shore; 

There is society, where none intrudes,  

By the deep sea, and music in its roar;  

I love not man the less, but Nature more... 

 - Lord Byron

There is something fascinating about nature that draws us to it, which we see in Moby Dick. Ishmael pointedly reminds the reader that "beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang".

Though it is so easy to enter, sometimes we forget that nature is unpredictable, untamed and unstable. There have been a number of occasions in which I was left with that sublime feeling of the wonder and power of nature--that thing that made me suddenly feel small and insignificant in the big picture of things.

I remember a time that I was out in “mouth” of the inter-coastal, where it meets the ocean among the rough breakers. I was feeling powerful on the back of a jet-ski, speeding the open waters. It was our playground where everybody rode and jumped the waves. One particular wave began to curl at just the wrong time and our Jet-ski went straight up the face of the wave and we plummeted backwards. At that moment, within those few seconds, I lost sight of everything. All I could see as I tread water was the waves bobbing up and down all around in every which direction, each too high to see beyond. It was at that moment I sensed the greatness of the ocean: not knowing how deep it was beneath my dangling feet, nor how far away the shore was. As I was tossed in the waves, fretting over if I would be found, I realized how small and insignificant I was. Time seemed to slow down and my senses became uncomfortably heightened. I was fearful. It wasn't long before I was found but it took only that sharp, quick moment to get utterly lost in the wilderness of the ocean. Since, I have had a hard time going back out in it because of that penetrable moment in the oceans belly made me realize how small and vulnerable I was against the water-world.

Another experience centers around Yosemite. Every granite wall stretching thousands of feet tall, seemed to hold some kind of majestic quality. It made me feel indescribable, as if I was in a place for the supreme. Waterfalls plummeted with amazing force and grace. But what was even more humbling than seeing such beauty and awe first hand, was the recent story of 3 people going over Vernal-Falls where I  happened to get engaged 6 months before. It was an awful feeling, imagining their faces bobbing towards the edge of the 318 foot waterfall, knowing their fate had been terrifyingly sealed.

It made me realize that nature does not change for us, we are affected by nature. One persons heaven is another person's hell but the nature of the place is the same. It just reminds me that nature is unbiased and unfeeling; it will not bend just because you will it so.

When we go into nature, we should go with respect because it will impress and inspire us, but the experience we seek to have in the wild may not be what we get. I am reminded of Christopher McCandless from Into the Wild. That particular moment when he realizes the wonder of Alaska has trapped him by snow caps melting into water blockades. Then his whole mentality shifts because he is no longer venturing into nature, he is trapped in nature. He dies out there alone among the beautiful. Sublime nature is intriguing but it’s lethal, even in that captivating beauty.

Earth Blog: Anthropomorphism - "Our" Love to the Animals

On October 8th, a celebration was held for the 10th birthday of Salsa and Onca—two original jaguars at the Jacksonville Zoo. I found it interesting upon seeing this announcement how human the celebration was. Having read about anthropomorphism in Rachel Carson’s Under the Sea-Wind, I understood portraying animals through a human lens. This however, seemed to take it to another level.

The birthday invitation wrote: “The birthday 'bash' will begin with the crowd singing happy birthday at 1:00 p.m. immediately followed by the two enrichment cakes being appropriately hunted and eaten by the honorees. Guests will be served cookies, while supplies last, and can sign an enlarged birthday card.”

I’m pretty sure the Jaguars didn't care if it was their birthday but people were proud to celebrate the years they've been able to enjoy them. It made sure to mention that the Jaguars came to the zoo because they were rejected by their mother, which is certain to trigger an emotional human response. This would make people feel a parental need to care for them because their mother wouldn't. This also encourages a sense that their lives are better at the zoo.

I found the image of a large group of people singing to the animals and signing a card to celebrate them a bit comical. It was also ironic that the hiding enrichment cakes would be 'hunted'. How does a long range animal hunt in an exhibit? And not meat but 'cake'. My anthropomorphic response: a voice for the Jaguar saying, “Really guys?” Still, there is a part of me that thinks how entertaining it would be for the baby jags.

As a human myself, there is also something very sweet and cute about the whole affair. I don’t mean to sound cynical because I tend to humanize animal’s emotions a lot. I 'rescued' my cats from outdoors when one of the three in their litter died. I just refused to let it happen again and I couldn't just take one of them because I thought it would devastate the brothers to be apart, especially after loosing one sibling already. This case of anthropomorphism seemed to work in their favor though. They have no shortage of blankets or laps to cozy up on to feel safe and comfortable. Oh wait, there I go again.

There are dangers to anthropomorphism though. In an article called For Love of Nature, Jennifer Laddino discusses the premise that Grizzly Man, for example, “represents an approach to the natural world that is deeply infused with human ideals of love", an issue of bringing love to nature—and imagining nature loving us in return. The story of Grizzly man, while somehow romantically infused, doesn't end well. He spent his summer’s with bears and mistook his luck of not being attacked with their 'love'. Eventually, he was killed by one despite all his connection to the creatures.

Watch: Grizzly Man Trailer

• How does this love reflect human ideals about nature and culture?
• How is love among nonhuman animals imagined and represented?
• Does love function divisively, to further separate humans from nonhuman nature, or is love figured as a means of bridging the human–animal divide?
• And does love become yet another kind of mastery over animals, an emotional–political way to distinguish “them” from “us” (p.4)?

There are some questions to think about.

Caring about animals makes people feel good...but so does the idea that they care that you care. No-one said love was uncomplicated. So is there really so much wrong with humans gathering to celebrate a love for an animal’s life? I don't think so. Hey we are human after all and we're going to have human emotions. Even if it is a bit more for us than for them, they are still being appreciated and that is helpful in the larger psych. Especially as animals face dwindling numbers and loss of homes. But I think it is important to remember that there is a divide between the wild animal beyond tamed walls of human ideals and the caged animal, subdued by human interaction. Our human emotions project onto them because we care. But if these jaguars were in their natural habitat, I don't think people would be as keen to clasping their hands together and oohing and awing while singing birthday tunes to the big cats. Not unless they want to be the cake.

1. Interdiscip Stud Lit Environ (2009) 16 (1): 53-90. doi: 10.1093/isle/isp002. For the Love of Nature: Documenting Life, Death, and Animality in Grizzly Man and March of the Penguins. http://isle.oxfordjournals.org/content/16/1/53.full

2. Jacksonville Zoo Website (2011) Salsa & Onca’s 10th Birthday Celebration.http://ht.ly/6PoRi

Earth Blog: Ecocriticism and the Chesapeake Bay's Receding Shorelines

'Snake Lake' off the Chesapeake Bay, Fairhaven MD

When I was a child growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, I spent much time on the beaches and roaming the areas around it—forests, streams and rivers, clay cliffs or tall grass fields. “It is our nation’s largest estuary and is home to over 3600 types of species of plants, fish and animals”.  On any given day I could find sharks teeth, horse shoes, crab, jellyfish or see stingray in the water. Also seen daily were the large amounts of birds that resided near there; my favorite being the Blue Heron and Swan. We spent time crabbing and swimming in those waters and when mud tides came we would walk a mile out in the mud with it squishing between our toes, fascinated by that underwater world. 

Satellite view of Fairhaven, Maryland

When I went back there as an adult one of the most alarming things I noticed was the disappearing beaches. John boats and sail boats used to lay in the sand but they now laid pulled up into the grass because the beach was so small. This was a stark contrast to years before. There was a photo Grandpa Becke had up in his kitchen of a wide, long beach from many, many years ago. I remember thinking, what happens when there are no more beaches?  Then I heard that real-estate companies were trying to buy up the surrounding forests around Fairhaven (our tiny bay-side town). It infuriated me. Of course, my reasons then were because of my attachment to the quaint, intimate-ness and beauty of its small neighborhood environment. I thought to myself, what would happen to all the animals that live back there? And all the birds that nest near the river’s edge in the woods? I didn’t know too much about Ecocriticism at that point, but even without formally knowing what it was, I knew somehow that something wrong was happening. 

In the Green Team by James Hopkins reflects on the Jonathan Bate, writer of Romantic Ecology. He says, “Wordsworth did not view nature in Enlightenment terms - as that which must be tamed, order, and utilized- but as an area to be inhabited and reflected upon.” Further saying how “he hoped human beings might see into the life of things, and reveal their place in a system of delicate relations between the human and the non-human worlds.” 

While reading those words I think about the Bay’s disappearing shoreline and land being devastated for residency—how that balance isn’t really being kept. Humans are building closer and closer to the edge of the bay and doing more and more damage to its “buffer areas”.  As scientists and activists in a documentary called “Weary Shoreline” (posted below) point out, “preserving forest cover and preventing construction on soils near the shoreline helps stop sediments, oil, and other harmful pollutants from draining into rivers and tributaries that flow into the Chesapeake Bay.”

Calvert Cliff Lighthouse Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Not only will it be hard for those residents in the future when the shores continue to move with changing climates by this disappearing shoreline closing in on properties, but serious damage is being done to the waters of the bay. Somehow reflection on this delicate relation between the two worlds really isn't being treated delicately enough. 

Innovative Water and Wastewater Solutions

Ecocritcism literature may help to spread knowledge to people about the importance of paying attention the ecology of places such as this—a place that people and animals are continually drawn to for its lush, thriving and beautiful environment. Likewise, both will be negatively affected if we don’t start paying more attention to the needs of the Chesapeake Bay and its inhabitants, beyond human consequence alone. 

 

---

 

Natural Wildlife Federation 2011. Global Warming, Effects on Wildlife and Habitat. Chesapeake Bay and Global Warming. NWF Web Page

Hopkins, James. In the Green Team. ASLE Ecocritical Library

Wickham, John. "Death by a Thousand Cuts": Chesapeake Bay's Disappearing Shoreline. Chesapeake Bay Action Plan

***There are a lot people who live near and feel passionately about the Bay and work to make sure it's treated correctly. A good place to go see these works or get involved is at Chesapeake Bay Program.

An Exploration of Zoos

 A home for animals or a place to view animals? There can be a difference. I think the Jacksonville Zoo (where I am subsequently from) does a good job at keeping natural habitats for the animals but I can’t help but feel guilty as I walk through and look at what small spaces they actually are for such expansive creatures, some with long roaming capabilities.  This goes for most zoo like properties. This is, of course the nature of the beast when it comes to education first hand and in many cases these animals have actually been rescued or would no longer survive in the great outdoors.  I have a friend that works at the zoo in the gardens, and they are continually trying to beautify the location and do a great job in doing so. This allows for special updates on the animal news which certainly makes it feel closer to home. There are two particular zoos that I feel have gone far and beyond in my opinion (well… that I have been to anyway) for creating a really great habitat for the animals while minimizing the ‘animals on the other side of the glass’ type feeling.


One such location is located in Seattle Washington. http://www.zoo.org/

The Woodland Park zoo struck me right away, it didn’t ‘feel’ like a place where humans come just to view the animals. It felt like I stepped [relatively] into their backyard and perhaps was even being viewed by the animals. Often times I felt concerned that an a nimal was too close or able to just jump a simple low wood fence to get to us.
The difference is the way it is built. What looks like a place without nets, chains or large fences is actually really smart engineering. They built deep motes just on the other side of the hill where the small fence is, this creates the illusion that there is barely any barrier. Trust me, when it comes to seeing bears or wolves like this is can take you back a bit.  (photos I took from actual zoo)
As I roamed this beautifully rich, natural environment, I felt as though the animals were playful, learning and even happy.  There was a woman who sat and drew pictures to an orangutan. He watched her intently; she held up the picture of her hand (drawn), then showed him her actual hand. He would then look at his hand and put it to the glass on hers. A  few children sat back and watched in wonder, as did I. It was a really personal moment and wonderful to see people interacting and communicating with the animals! 
 


         There is something very special about that interaction that I fear some places may not hit on as strongly.  The Elephants for examples had a very long, large lock of land that just kept going and going. There were of course some pitfalls and some smaller exhibitions which to me is the evil side to good.  Particularly when I come to the cheetah’s for example, in any park I instantly feel it slightly unfair. But it would be very difficult to have a place for us to come and see these animals first hand and learn about them, if it were limited to space. Truth is, for so many animals space will continue to be an issue.  I commend zoos though, who really do try to go far and beyond to make the environment not only comfortable and inviting to us, but to the animals!

There is another type of zoo I recently visited which was on a much smaller scale but also with a lot less animals. It is in our backyard of Florida in Tallahassee.  The Tallahassee Museum is home to the local animals found in Florida, like the Florida Panther and Black bear and others such as certain native birds and reptiles.  I love taking my kids there because it feels like roaming the back woods of Florida, even with the marsh and Bald Cypress trees.  The trails are natural and it feels minimally invasive to the species. http://tallahasseemuseum.org/


I think there will always be a debate for eco-critics as to whether zoos play more evil or good. The ideas of caged, trapped and limited animal capabilities, or controlled environments compare/contrast with the positive ideals of hands on education, first hand site, rescue, positive research and care.  I believe positive, progressive steps in nature such as the Sierra Club and putting land back to protect animals is a great form of protection for natural habitat and in turn many species. In relation to our zoos however I cannot argue against them because of how much good ‘can’ come from these sanctuaries, zoos and the sort. They are hospitable places for, sometimes many otherwise endangered species.  The question of whether zoos are cruel to animals may continue to arise but I believe as long as we strive to keep animals safe and build our knowledge of them, as well as continue to find ways to improve the system, it will be for the good.


           If there is any true evil to animals, I think it would be wiser to focus our attention to the cutting down of rain forests and pushing habitats out or driving them out completely for commercial or residential building. A prime example here in Florida being the everglades. There was a time when folks were trying to turn the wetlands to land, but then wonder and complain about the alligators in their backyard.  Then in turn say it needs to be killed. The truth is: it was their home and is really no wonder at all.  Of course Florida is taking some really strong initiatives to restore the everglades and that is commendable. http://www.evergladesplan.org/index.aspx
           
It seems it is always easier for us to turn a cheek when the human interest is at heart and perhaps that is because we see ourselves as the dominate species. But I certainly encourage others to think about our interplay with the environment- particularly the animals. Even if each person does one small thing to encourage that thought or try to help in some way I think that the whole will certainly make a difference.

Check out your local zoo site for information of ways to get involved.
 
Some other good sites:
http://www.defenders.org/
http://www.sierraclub.org/
10 simple ways to help your community: http://www.aspca.org/adoption/ten-ways-to-help-animals-in-your-community.html
Please share any ideas you may have to help animals, community or personal stories.

• What is YOUR favorite Zoo?

Epic Beauty of Yosemite: A Perfect Proposal

I'm in love with everything Yosemite.

Here is a link to LA Times article, showing beautiful photos year round at Yosemite National Park

The photos are stunning!!

Another great way to see Yosemite from afar is the Facebook fan page: Yosemite Facebook where you can see fellow nature lovers different views of the amazing backdrops and hear stories of hikes up half dome or back country. 

My personal story would be the hike to Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail where my boyfriend popped the question. I was so awestruck by the pounding sounds of the waterfall and the beauty of the area that I didn't notice he was messing around with his pockets trying to get something out. I also didn't realize that my brothers, "Oh my god!" and "This is so great!" were actually in reference to his taking a knee and not to the awe in which I was still sucked in to. I thought my brother was taking a photograph of us so when I turned around and saw my man down there, I though what are you doing, he won't be able to get both of us in the photo ... Then it finally struck. And the story went down in the books.

Even beyond our romantic tale, it truly is a magical place just sitting in the valley, looking out. It's the kind of place stories come from! It is by far the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It is a place that instantly upon sight, conjures mystical tales of adventure and fantasy and displays how the power of nature can effect us. I'm a firm believer everyone should go at least once to take it in for themselves!

When it comes to the history of such a treasured National Park, we can heed our thanks to the early champions for its virginal nature and environment such as John Muir, or naturalist enthusiasts like Henry David Thoreau. We now have monumental parks that we can stand in the midst of and continue standing in awe of; in the wake of this natures beauty. And it is because of the nature lovers before us, like these. These are examples of writers that gave us knowledge about the power of the outdoors to move us and reasons why it should be protected. In Thoreau’s Walden, he proclaims that “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

In this same way, I suppose that drive is also what led us to the Northwest for a two week trek into nature; visiting natural places of wonder. One of the first stops was a grand entrance into the majestic Yosemite. The roads, little by little, became more and more winding and smaller as the drive went on. The hills turned into mountains within a few measly miles, and the fight against car sickness was inevitably getting tougher as the turns, turned to hairpins. But then it happened, we cleared one particular turn and there it was—the most beautiful scene I have ever laid eyes on. At this point it was evident that we were not the only ones dumbstruck by its immense beauty. As we pulled off the road to stare at the sight, car after car did the same. We would get out of our cars, eyes fixed ahead over the valley's of streams hundred’s... no, thousands of feet down. They were surrounded by tall, regal-like granite walls, white and reaching to the heavens. Waterfalls cascaded over the edges, falling gloriously to their fates below.

I think even just in recounting this conjuring memory...this is what Thoreau must have meant, for I surely felt alive at this moment. It was easy to see why John Muir fell in love with this place; why he felt the landscape spoke to him like the gospel, and its words reached his very soul. Its descriptions are insurmountably indefinable, even within the definitions of beauty and awe.