United States Poet Laureate Highlights Connections to the Natural World
Every two years since 1937, the United States Librarian of Congress appoints a poet laureate to serve as the official poet of the United States. Previous U.S. Poet Laureates include Rita Dove, Billy Collins, Louise Glück, and W.S. Merwin. Poets who accept this distinction embark on a project that makes poetry accessible and brings it to the forefront of national consciousness.
Ada Limón, whose two-year term began in 2022, embarked on a nature-inspired project in collaboration with the Library of Congress, the National Park Service, and the Poetry Society of America. “You Are Here: Poetry in Parks,” involved the installation of picnic tables across seven national parks, and each table has been imprinted with a site-specific poem chosen by Limón. “The tables will sit near trailheads or scenic areas, where visitors might stumble upon them and pause for a moment of reflection or insight,” according to an article published by National Parks and Conservation Association. A paragraph in the article reads as follows:
“Limón said it can be tempting to think of nature as ‘something we go to visit,’ but her hope is that the park poems will remind visitors of their connection to the world around them, wherever they are. Awareness of place, she suggested, can make people more mindful of how they live and invite change.”
Rare Bird Photographed for the First Time in Papua New Guinea
An article published by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) shares that the rare New Britain Goshawk was photographed by Tom Vierus of Fiji. Even though the photo was taken in March 2024, the photograph had to be studied by internationally renowned ornithologists before confirming that Vierus had indeed managed to capture the first-ever photo of this bird, which was discovered nearly 60 years ago.
Multiple sight-only reports of the bird have been made ever since a specimen was found; that specimen and its scientific record belong to American Museum of Natural History in New York.
WWF’s also article notes that this bird “is found only on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea. The Nakanai Mountains, where the New Britain Goshawk was photographed, are part of a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site and are estimated to be between 10.5-22.5 million years old.”
In addition to sharing the photograph Vierus took, WWF’s article contains a quote that relays the photographer’s pride in sharing a photo of this bird with the world: “It is wonderful to see how conservation photography can help safeguard areas by documenting the existing biodiversity and a good reminder of how important visual storytelling is.”
Researchers Create Portable Device That Turns Seawater Into Freshwater
A team of researchers representing the Department of Chemical Engineering at University of Waterloo have created a device that converts sun into energy and then uses the heat to desalinate seawater. Dr. Michael Tam and Dr. Yuning Li worked alongside a research team compromising of PhD students Eva Wang and Weinan Zhao to create this device, which they describe as a sustainable solution to global water scarcity.
University of Waterloo’s website published news of the project, writing:
“Inspired by nature, the team designed a system that heats salt water with solar energy, causing it to evaporate and then condense as fresh water in a closed cycle. This process avoids the maintenance issues common in traditional desalination, which require frequent cleaning due to salt buildup. The device can continuously produce fresh water without interruptions and achieves remarkable efficiency, converting 93% of sunlight into usable energy—five times better than existing technologies.”
Moving forward, the researchers will strive to enhance the portable device’s light-harvesting capabilities as well as build a prototype for sea-based testing. The amount of water the device can produce meets World Health Organization's daily requirements for drinking and hygiene, which means that their accomplishment has the potential to supply water to coastal communities who lack access to safe, clean, and accessible water—a basic human right
Slow Flowers Society Gains Traction Throughout the United States
An inclusive community called Slow Flowers™ Society is determined to raise awareness about the importance of “supporting domestic flower farms and a floral industry that relies on a safe, seasonal and local supply of sustainably farmed flowers and foliage.” According to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service:
“In fiscal year 2022, the United States imported nearly $3.3 billion worth of cut flowers, plants, and nursery stock products from 81 countries. Imports of fresh-cut roses totaled more than $800 million, while other fresh-cut flowers such as chrysanthemums, carnations, and lilies were valued at a combined $1.1 billion.”
Founded in 2013 by Debra Prinzing (author of the book Slow Flowers), the Slow Flowers Movement continues to inspire flower enthusiasts to purchase locally grown flowers. They maintain an ever-growing (pun intended!) directory of florists, farmers, florists, designers and retailers committed to representing the value of this mission.
Press Encourages Children to Build a Lifelong Connection with Nature
Blue Dot Kids Press is an independent, mission-driven children’s book publisher based in San Francisco, California, and Wellington, New Zealand. A proud member of 1% for the Planet, One Tree Planted, Planet Impact Fund, and Defenders of Wildlife, Blue Dot Kids Press publishes high-quality children’s books that encourage young readers to develop a passion for connecting to and respecting nature.
Their website notes that Blue Dot Kids Press "believes that business can be a force for good not only in content but also in creation. We prioritize sustainability in everything we do. The materials that compose our books are ingredients you can feel good about having in your classroom, library, and home.”
Books sold by Blue Dot Press are written and illustrated by artists from around the world who seek to:
“engage young readers’ innate sense of wonder and empathy, connecting them to our global community and the pale blue dot we call home.”
