What is this project?
This project is my contribution to the Access to Nature goal outlined in Vancouver's Greenest City 2020 Action Plan. One of the main targets in the plan is that all Vancouver residents will be within a five minute walk of a natural space by 2020.

Who am I?
I am Becky Till, a CityStudio student working in collaboration with the City of Vancouver on Greenest City projects. I am also a person wondering what it really means to have access to nature.

What will all the participants and myself be doing?
Each participant of this challenge is going to "take a moment" in a "natural space" everyday for the next ten days (March 24th - April 2nd). We will all be posting reflections both written and visual to share what impact this commitment is having on us.

Why am I doing this?
Well, because I used eat blackberries on a forest path during my commute and now I try not to get hit by cars. I want to see if there is a bridge between my busy city life and my need to feel connected to nature. What does it mean to connect with nature in a city? Does it have the same impact as "wilder" nature? Will having more contact make a noticeable difference in my life? To broaden my conclusions I asked fourteen other people living in Vancouver if they could commit to "Accessing Nature" for 10 days straight too. They said yes.
It's on!

Saturday 31 March 2012

Dani K - reflection

  1. Where have you been going and what has been drawing you there?
I have been going to different places everyday - taking advantage of getting to know my own area and what it has to offer, heading out to explore the mountains and the beaches and all things unique to living in this particular city. The draw is that I get to give myself time to think, read, feel, explore all things that are both of the moment and that I have been carrying with me during the week. This challenge has been a sort of guided meditation - the guidance being the impetus to walk out the door.
  1. What have you been noticing while you are taking your moment?
Clarity. Taking time to outwardly appreciate where I live, where I am, and allowing myself a little extra understanding. Self-care. Really noticing the joy in others. And that feeling that I had as a child when I was constantly hunting down the best hiding spots at a time where nothing was just yours.
  1. How have you been feeling after your moment?
A blanket of calm. A willingness to let my life be imbued with more moments such as these because they inspire me to create more balance and appreciation in my life.
  1. What is standing out? What, if anything, has been unexpected?
Even on the rainy days, I still achieved the same feeling. That there is a joy in getting bundled up and enjoying something my former self might have been hesitant about.
  1. What changes, if any, are you noticing over the course of the challenge?
Being slightly more aware of how I spend my days. Where is my division of work, play, self-care and social interaction.
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