Several things grabbed my attention last week and made me sit up and take notice. They literally screamed HOPE-FULLness. I hope you agree.
A very simple, yet profound, design image instantly grabbed me when I was “strolling” through a favourite business e-news magazine...it made me smile. That simple act brought a flood of memories. Expressions and melodies came to mind: “Smile and the whole world smiles with you. Smile, and maybe tomorrow the sun comes shining through, for you.”
What I saw in this magazine was more than just a functional place to sit but also incorporated a feeling through the design of a happy face - the Smile Stool - from Spanish designer Jaime Hayon, offered by the company Benchmark. Just imagine if interpretive facilities incorporated more smiles in their spaces. How could this NOT brighten up your visitor’s day? Please send us your examples. If we can’t start thinking now, about mental health & positive leisure enhancing elements, when?
photo credit Benchmark
A second attention grabber popped up when I reviewed some old travel musings. I have the habit of keeping notes when my wife and I travel to capture memories of what we have experienced including elements of beauty, little natural history highlights and architectural details that have caught my eye and ear. Well, when searching for the name of a location in one of my old journals, a different entry jumped out at me, inspiring the second instigation of HOPE-FULLness.
I was struck by one of my writings from a trip to Washington state in 2008, where I noted, “An outstanding example of creative trail interpretation…” and “Finally, something innovative and instructional without a dominant sense of teaching/learning attached.” I had to read on.
Following this statement were short descriptions of an art trail in the woods called Wander the Willapa, at the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge. My mind swirled with a flood of recollections, filled with a sense of rejuvenation and deep appreciation for the field of interpretation because the interpretive treatment was so emblematic of innovation and positive perspectives.
A variety of sculptural art pieces had been positioned at different heights alongside a trail that followed a stream, so you were primed to be explorative and engaged with the world around them. Each one captured a perspective that made you think more about where you were and made you linger longer.
credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
For example, nature’s partnership in the salmon life cycle was artfully explored with salmon sculptures placed among trees to reinforce how the dead and decaying salmon would play an important role in the nutrient cycle. Those nutrients from the decaying salmon would find their way into tree roots thereby acting as a fertilizer to feed the forest.
credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
In addition, locally significant species of vibrantly painted bird figures had been mounted as part of a clever, elongated, and undulating tubular system, that captured the eye and carried you along in a forward direction subtly & effortlessly. I have yet to experience a “sign” that exudes the element of movement more effectively than these curiously suspended avian migrants.
The sense of novelty and artistry continued with several spiral pieces commanding a closer look as they interpreted the magical method of metamorphosis spotlighting insect transformations along a vertical journey. In the distance, shorebird silhouettes took flight from the nearby salt marsh in a sculptured form like a mini dust devil.
Even the boardwalk was unique. This boardwalk swept and bent, narrowed and widened, just like the nearby stream and pieces were embedded in the floorboards. Even the picnic table and benches played a supporting role through a stunning mosaic inlay of “charismatic mini-fauna.” How impressive that the usually often overlooked and forgotten invertebrates were profiled and highlighted.
credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
Nestled alongside the path mini-amphitheatre like spaces were carved from the forest vegetation, reminiscent of an eddy in a stream -- an alcove of calmness encouraging reflection.
I discovered in the trail brochure, after the fact, that the site managers had wanted to celebrate a stream restoration project and focus on the diverse wildlife living there. They had chosen NOT to use a traditional series of beside the path, regularly spaced, educational, square- shaped, text prominent signs. Instead, they had looked for a community partnership with the University of Washington Public Arts Program and provided freedom of expression. Students had designed, constructed, and installed the artwork along the trail.
BRAVO on so many counts.
All HAIL WILLAPA! to those open to exploring WAYS to:
express essence at their site,
be comfortable with breaking the mould, and
be resourceful to include the bigger WE among the community.
credit: US Fish and Wildlife Service
This trail in Washington state is an example of hope personified - what I like to call “doing more with more.” This means being mindful of constraints BUT searching out others to get the job done. Going it alone and giving up due to budget limitations along with “this is what we have always done thinking” will not be the way forward.
Through google, I discovered the Willapa art trail still exists and you can take a joyful virtual stroll on the refuge’s website: Wander the Willapa
For my third pathway into HOPE-FULLness, I must congratulate the Biomimicry Institute. As I am perpetually catching up with emails, I was ever so glad (even if tardy) to read their catchy email subject line: Happy Birthday Life! Were you aware that February 25 was the day Life would have appeared on Earth if one would compress the age of the Earth (4.5 billion years) into one calendar year? Based on present knowledge, Life appeared on Earth 3.8 billion years ago (or February 25th). No candles required.
Talk about a chance to share an amazing formula for contemplating a resilient, sustainable future. Adaptations abound. Biodiversity blossoms. Models and mentors of motivation are omnipresent.
credit: Bill Reynolds
This annual announcement could serve as a reminder that the Earth and its inhabitants are a repository of brilliant survival stories that are all around us to marvel at, find inspiration with and learn from. I am not aware of any natural heritage sites that celebrate such an occasion. What an opportunity to pounce on.
Our visitors are in desperate need for a dose of positiveness and a time to celebrate HOPE-FULLness. We should never tire of the chance to revel in the indomitable spirit of life and our interdependence with it.
I was reminded recently that every day millions of microbes living in and on us perform important functions that cleanse our skin, digest our food, and destroy harmful invaders. We are an amalgam, which is good to keep in mind, when you want to restore in visitors’ heads, hearts, hands and stomachs their sense of place IN the natural world. This is not the kind of interdependence most of us think about but it sure is personal and certainly is a conversation starter. To fuel the feelings of the remarkable and the incredible in visitors, let’s provide those constant reminders that life is f---ing awesome.
Next week Part two