Environmental Circle of the Coalition for One Voice (see Coalition for OneVoice and New York Coalition for OneVoice here at WiserEarth) is a "Focus Circle" of the COV. As such, its member extend beyond just the COV and include a number of New York City environmental organization leaders and other interested persons. These persons have been, among other things, involved in creating the "New YorkCity Metro Coalition" here at WiserEarth. These include persons like Dr. Kurt Johnson, a prominent New York City-based ecologist; Dan Miner, coordinator the the New York City Sierra Club; Dr. Bill Gellerman of the Climate and Energy Caucus at the United Nations; Eleanor Rae and Alayne O'Reilly, founder/directors of the Earth Values Caucus at the United Nations, Rick Ulfik, founder of the international activist NGO "We the World", Jane Gignoux, a leader in international World Cafe' and discussion of "world story shift"; New York Emmy Award winning director Emily Squires, and former NPR feature writer Richard Schiffman. This Circle and others meet monthly, or more often in New York City. See WiserEarth postings and schedules at www.coalitionforonevoice.org (Environmental Focus Circle).
Currently, the Circle is working with reknowned tree portrait artist Anders Knutsson (www.andersknutsson.com) to create a regular venue for gathering New York City-based environmental activists for discussion of potential projects of mutual interest, activities, and other projects. For information on this activity contact janehg4@verizon.net; for information on the Circle contact kurtjohnsonisd@yahoo.com.
Initiative I: "TreeFriends"
Many, if not most, New Yorkers have very little opportunity to connect deeply to the natural world on a regular basis. We live in a man-made world of computers, electronic switches and devices, using artificial light sources, and underground transport. Concern about global warming or the environment may seem remote and unimportant compared to the pressures of our immendiate day-to-day lives. Whether we hang out in a third grade classroom, a Wall Street board room, a CVS stockroom, an upscale ad agency, or a high rise corporate cubicle, the world of nature has precious little chance to intrude.
TreeFriends is an initiative intended to invite our urban neighbors to get to know and build long-lasting relationships with some of our most powerful, influential, and magnificent fellow beings--our Trees.
Anders Knutsson is a Swedish-born painter and long time resident of New York City. For the last 14 years he has been painting some of our most impressive examples of the life form we often take for granted--the Tree. These paintings are in no way landscapes; they are true portraits. A fine portrait, one that can actually move the viewer, is not merely a good physical likeness. Rather it manages to capture the inner, spiritual being of the subject. When we gaze at the Mona Lisa or a Rembrandt portrait, we are inevitably drawn into relationship with another being. Something in our own inner knowing connects with the essence emmanating from the artist's rendition. Anders' Trees are such portraits.
The plan is to show some of the Knutsson Tree portraits in a public space in Manhattan (and hopefully later in the other boroughs), collaborate with performing artists--musicians, dancers, poets--to create a multi-sensory experience for New Yorkers, as well as visitors. These program would vary depending on the type of group attending. For instance, there would be different school programs to suit the interests of primary, middle, and high school students. Some programs would be interactive and energetic, while others might be more contemplative evoking guiet and stillness.
We hope to tie in TreeFriends with concrete actions sponsored by organizations working to protect, plant, and/or nurture trees and forests both locally and worldwide. Some of the activities may be out of doors in the parks and wildlands of the City, where we can join with urban park rangers, biologists, and others to actually explore and celebrate the City's little-known world of trees.
TreeFriends is currently in the early stages of development. We are reaching out to creative people in many fields who have a passion for the natural world in order to introduce them to Knutsson's Trees. Invariably on these occasions, people are drawn to the power, magesty, and intimacy of the portraits. In addition to engaging people in the arts, we are seeking New Yorkers with a history of making things happen to improve our way of life here, imaginative folk of all kinds who are willing to be the change we want to see in the world.
