Conversations on Botany includes so much more intriguing information than simply botanical terminology.  It reveals details about industries and customs related to plants such as sugar making from sugar cane, making tea in China, and how to use the rubber tree in a number of products–all from a late 17th and early 18th century point of view.
This book is filled with statements indicative of life at that time.  Here’s one example:  “The Sea-reed, Arundo arenaria, grows on the driest sandy parts of our sea-shores, and is so useful in binding the sand, and preventing it from being blown into the neighbouring fields, that Queen Elizabeth forbade the extirpation of it.”

And another example:  “What we call cotton, is a soft downy substance, that surrounds the seeds; which, in one species, the common cotton, Gossypium herbaceum, is of a snowy white; but in the species barbadense, which grows to great perfection in the Chinese province of Kiang-nan of which Nankin is the capital city, it is, in its natural state, of a yellow colour inclining to red; and the kind of cloth called Nankin, which is made of it in that country, is of great value, because it is very strong, and fades very little, even after long use and frequent washing.”

You can read this book on-line, at no charge, at the University of California CDL (California Digital Library).  On the left side of the website you can choose which version of the book you would like to view (on-line, pdf file, epub, kKindle, etc.).

• Where We Find Clues About Climate Change
• Fitting the Clues Together
• What Scientists and You Can Do
• Resources

Each two-page spread includes superb photos of nature and people (including children and adults) studying aspects of nature, as well as an explanation of a specific concept.  How We Know What We Know moves from “What Is Science?” through topics such as “Clues from Flowers,” “Butterflies Change their Range,” “Cool Clues on the Tundra,” and “Ancient Mud Reveals Clues.”

Cherry and Braasch emphasize positive as well as potential negative aspects of climate change, as theorized by scientists about Earth’s climate.  They also share how children have been gathering scientific data — as citizen scientists — which is then used by climate scientists to formulate hypotheses and theories.

Reading this book inspired me to find out more about being a citizen scientist.  I have now signed up to participate in Project BudBurst which is a perfect venue for me to share my year-round observations of plants in my area.  Imagine how much you and your child might learn and be inspired to contribute through reading How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate.

Although this short video is ostensibly about Larry Lederman, his photography of the trees in The New York Botanical Garden and his recently published book of these tree photos, there are larger messages given by Mr. Lederman.  One thought he offers is that each tree is engaging with surrounding trees and the immediate environment.  He talks about the importance of being outside and visiting with the trees.  The video itself is a relaxing, gentle reminder of the beauty to be found in nature and the “magnificent trees.”

Here’s a story of a man who co-creates with nature. Peter Donnelly has been practicing his unique take on sand art for over ten years, and has created almost one thousand pieces of art – only to see each creative outpouring washed away by the encroaching sea. Does he mind? Far from it.

As an observer states in the movie: “It brings us into the moment, and then the moment is gone!”

“Beauty and seduction, I believe, is nature’s tool for survival, because we will protect what we fall in love with.”   Louie Schwartzberg

Pollination: it’s vital to life on Earth, but largely unseen by the human eye. Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg shows us the intricate world of pollen and pollinators with gorgeous high-speed images from his film “Wings of Life,” inspired by the vanishing of one of nature’s primary pollinators, the honeybee.

Enjoy the inspiring short introduction by the filmmaker, and the exquisite film footage of the pollinators at work!

If so, you are going to love this website! The whole focus is creating projects that folks who are not professional scientists can participate in. It is well organized, and inviting!

The Home page features a few Projects of the Day with a short description of the goal and task of those projects. The user-friendly website was recently upgraded “to make it easier for you to find, learn about, and get involved in citizen science projects of interest to you. Now, you can search by topic (birds, astronomy, etc) or by activity (while at the beach, on a hike, etc). The SciStarter team has also made it simpler for researchers and project organizers to add their projects to our robust Project Finder.” And the blog is rich with content.

SciStarter’s Mission states: “SciStarter will bring together the millions of citizen scientists in the world; the thousands of potential projects offered by researchers, organizations, and companies; and the resources, products, and services that enable citizens to pursue and enjoy these activities.”

The founder of SciStarter is Darlene Cavelier. From the About Us page of the website: “Darlene is also the founder of ScienceCheerleader.com, a popular blog that works through NFL and NBA cheerleaders-turned-scientists and engineers to promote science literacy and the involvement of citizens in science and science-related policy.”

Kudos to Darlene and her team for creating this awesome website!

Intrigued?  Check it out: www.SciStarter.com

No doubt your experience will enhance your connection with and appreciation of the awesome universe we live in – not to mention our incredible home planet!

And if you will, share your experience with our readers.

What a great day for a walk outside.  I’m going out to see, smell, hear and feel the wonders of nature!

Thanksgiving Day is approaching, presenting the perfect time to affirm our gratitude for the exquisite experiences nature and life offer us each day.

Your creativity challenge is to:

• Take a few moments to connect with nature.  Hold a stone, observe a bird flying, watch another human without interrupting them, eat a juicy piece of fruit, smell the earthiness of a piece of rotting bark… just ideas.
• Feel your connection with life beyond your own physical self.
• What are you grateful for? Share a few words in the comments below.

This is a short, stunningly powerful and beautiful video of a flock of starlings. A collection of starlings is called a murmuration, thus the video’s name.  Shot in Ireland on the River Shannon, this video captures a chance encounter and shared moment with one of nature’s greatest and most fleeting phenomena. Sophie Windsor Clive, on her vimeo blog says: “Kudos goes to Liberty Smith for her controlled camera work in the canoe! The girl has nerves of steel for not shaking!”

What a demonstration of the intelligence of nature!

Your creativity challenge is to search this Experiencing Nature blog (having fun, of course, while you are doing so), to find the blog entry that features the artist who did this painting.  Share the artist’s name, and anything else you’re inspired to, in the comments below. Simple, right?