This morning, I stepped out into the crisp autumn air at Ault Park to clear my mind and get into the spirit of a very special week ahead. Walking through our local trails is the perfect way to ground myself before the grand arrival of our beloved friends and cultural practitioners from Hawai’i for the Forest Calls events. There is something truly magical about the quiet energy of the forest when you are preparing to host a weeklong journey centered entirely around deep, meaningful transformation.
Our upcoming series of events centers on a powerful call to action: “Reconnect to Nature”. Too often, the noise of daily life detaches us from the very earth that sustains us. This project is our collaborative effort to bridge that gap, bringing together art, science, and indigenous wisdom to inspire everyone to pause, listen, and remember our place in the natural ecosystem. Seeing the physical intersection of these worlds during my morning walk served as a beautiful preview of what this cross-cultural exchange will bring to our community.
As I explored the park, I couldn’t help but feel a profound sense of connection alongside the beautiful Kalo-looking plants, the surrounding trees and flowers, of course. I’ve shared some photos here of my time on the trails, capturing everything from the vibrant green leaves to the expansive, sheltering canopy of the forest.
The countdown has officially begun, and our Hawaiian delegation lands in just a few days on October 7th! We have an incredible lineup planned, including the live performance of the “Story of the ‘Akikiki” and an interdisciplinary symposium.
I invite all of you to join the movement, follow along with our journey, and share your own experiences using the hashtags #ForestCalls and #ReconnectToNature. Let’s step outside and reconnect together!
