ENVIRONMENTEnergize with the Earth
Get Inspired: How to Grow a Forest in Your Backyard
Get energized with the Earth. Chicago's unique urban greenspaces offer places for play, cultural expression, and community togetherness. We're inviting your family to think about the ways we benefit from being outdoors. Check out this TED talk about how Shubhendu Sharma has revolutionized the creation of forests around the world.
How can we make our world a little more green? Shubhendu Sharma grows ultra-dense, biodiverse mini-forests of native species in urban areas. Using the production method of a car company, Shubhendu was able to engineer soil, microbes and biomass to kickstart natural growth processes. Learn about his tiny forest revolution and how you can get in on this tiny jungle party.
Let’s Talk
After watching Shubhendu Sharma's TED Talk, use the questions below to kick-start a great conversation with your family:
What did you find most interesting about Shubhendu story? Did you learn anything new about forest growth?
Are there any outdoor spaces that are important to you? What makes them so special?
Why is it important for humans and nature to stay connected?
Bonus! Take care of the environment from your home. Can you brainstorm any ways to go green while indoors?
Do Something: Get Some Fresh Air!
Have you been getting enough fresh air lately? Getting outside can help improve out mental and physical well being. At the start of every environmental project, Honeycomb volunteers take a few moments to be still and observe our urban environment. While you're outside, set a timer and take 5 minutes to quietly reflect on your surroundings. Listen carefully and write down every sound you hear. Take a deep breathe - what do you smell? What do you feel?
After your observation, take a few minutes to look over your list. What do all those sounds, smells, and feelings mean to you? Our city is a place where nature and humans collide. What can you learn from a moment of stillness in the city?
Community Connections: Chicago Wilderness Watch
Stewardship work can be done at home! Have you ever wondered what creatures are roaming around Chicago's parks and natural areas? Participate in a citizen science initiative with Chicago Wildlife Watch. Right from home, you can monitor Chicago's hidden nature cameras and help to identify the wildlife captured in motion censored images.
Our friends at the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Adler Planetarium, put together this collaborative stewardship project. By helping to identify the animals captured in their photos, you play a critical role in helping researchers understand how wildlife live in cities and how people can conserve and coexist with wildlife in urban environments around the world.
Love Honeycomb at Home?
Show your support with limited-edition Honeycomb at Home loungewear for your whole family. Not only will you look cute while relaxing at home, your donations will help support all things Honeycomb, including this new virtual content. Your support means such much.
Earn a Honeycomb Pin!
We have a NEW Honeycomb pin to add to your collection. After you complete five Honeycomb at Home activities, contact us with your name, address, and summary or pictures of your projects. We'll send your pin straight to your door! Share your work on social media and tag #honeycombathome and #thehoneycombproject
Honeycomb at homeSpark change anytime, anywhere
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