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!

Wednesday, 11 April 2012

Michelle Simpson - Final Reflection/Feedback


Did you find anything about the Accessing Nature Challenge challenging? If so, what were your biggest barriers?    Barriers :  weather - I was more likely to get out if it wasn't raining - especially in the evening.   Volume of work and time - so wasn't as likely to take a break at lunch as I would have if not so busy - and thus not as likely to access nature during the work day  

How do you think your exposure to nature growing up influences the way you conceive of nature now (if at all)? 
I would say that my exposure growing up made me more likely to appreciate nature

How do you think your concept of nature has shifted during this challenge (if at all)?  
has made me realize I don't need to be in the 'wild' or the 'wilderness' to take a moment to enjoy nature - can do so in my own backyard and have been taking more notice and appreciating those moments

Do you predict you will "access nature" more frequently or with a new approach due to participating in this challenge? If so, how? 
No - I have tried to practice 'taking a moment' and being present for a few years now - it has brought me peacefulness and joy and continues to do so.

What are you taking away from your experience?  
above 

What would you change about the challenge to improve it for future participants?    
might make it accessing nature 10 times over a longer span  ;0) so that if there is a day that is particularly busy it wouldn't be a barrier
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