Nature Notes ~ Summer 2020

Love of Art Rekindled

Back in the early 90s, I had just started my career with The Nature Conservancy. I was delighted to be working in conservation and could hardly believe I was getting paid to help preserve the natural world! Early on, I discovered that TNC's Ohio Chapter, in Columbus where I lived, needed artwork to enhance their newsletters and communications to donors. I thought to myself, "I used to love art in school! Maybe I can help!"

So I began creating pen and ink drawings of rare plants and animals, donating my time and the use of my images for the Conservancy's marketing materials in Ohio. Then I was asked to share a few pieces with the national office. As I rekindled my creativity, I began to wonder how I could visually communicate the concept of biological diversity through my art. I wanted to help people really see how all life on our beautiful planet is connected, and inspire even more conservation action.

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​My first attempt was a painting of water flowing from mussel shells to illustrate how these nifty creatures use their filtering superpowers to actually improve water quality!

The next painting was Home for Darters, a peek into the ecosystem of colorful little fish called darters that live in streams and rivers of the East and Midwest. The crystal clear water of the Darby flows from the center of the painting to encompass the fullness of the darter's home.

I can remember the squeals of children and the amazement of their parents when we'd show them firsthand these small pretty fish and the macroinvertebrates that lived in Big and Little Darby Creeks. TNC would host field trips and as staff, we'd educate attendees about the incredible life forms in their own backyards, and in the streams and rivers right down the road. My favorite part of the day was releasing all the fish and critters safely back into the creek.

Home for Darters was welcomed with open arms by the Conservancy, and it became the cover image of The Darby Book, a guide to conservation in the Darby Creek Watershed. I was tickled pink!

For the next several years, I continued to paint the rare and endangered species of Ohio preserves to bring attention to those wonderful places, connecting viable species to their landscape homes. Then after moving to the Adirondacks, I created a series of images to bring focus to the plants and animals most affected by acid rain to help abate pollution coming from the Midwest which is the cause.

My images for TNC were the beginning of a lifelong quest to paint the unity of all life, to inspire care for the natural world. ​Nature has given me so much peace and happiness. In return, I want to give back with all my heart and soul.

So in celebration of nature, wishing you a wonderful summer!

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Winner of the Earth Day Drawing!

Hillary from the Denver metro area was the winner of this year's Earth Day drawing! Hillary is a true nature lover. She enjoys being outside and riding her bicycle all around the local parks and trails. The free print Hillary chose was Home for Amber Mountain Rock-thrush.

​These rare birds are found only in the Amber Mountain massif of Madagascar. My original painting is still on tour with the Silent Skies exhibit and will be on display this season at the Saint Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, and the Saint Louis Arch Museum.

​I'm excited to share the thrush image with Hillary and her family! One of Hillary's favorite activities is watching birds with her granddaughter, Drew. The new print will decorate Drew's bedroom which is so special to me. Thank you, Hillary! Sharing our love of nature with family and friends is such an amazing gift!

"The earth has music for those who listen."
~ George Santayana, philosopher & poet

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Conservation Corner

Let's help our wonderful pollinators thrive even more this summer! By gracing our gardens with homes for bees, butterflies and bats, we can provide safe havens for our little buddies, and they in turn will help pollinate our native flowers and keep the insect population in check. How awesome is that!

The cool gardening website below even has puddling stones for butterflies so they can access the important minerals they need. Plus there's a toad house and a ladybug castle, too! And Gardener's Supply Company donates 8% of its profits to protecting pollinators and promoting gardening to make the world a better place. Click here for the link! 

Butterfly Townhouse

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Nature Walk at Chatfield Farms

Here's some inspiration to bring back the natives (plants that is!) These beauties really flourish in their natural habitats here in the West. They need less water, too! ​​

The paths and trails at Chatfield Farms are simply lovely. They adjoin Deer Creek Natural Area and you can enjoy a peaceful walk through the garden, then relax in the shade with a good book. There are signs along the trails identifying the flowers and educating visitors about conservation practices. There's even a bee hotel! 

What a beautiful day enjoying this colorful and inspiring place!

Happy summer, nature friends! Enjoy this gorgeous season!

I'd love to hear from YOU! What's are some of your favorite native plants? Please share in the comments below! ​