Author Archives: Jonas

“Why I Write about Birds”

Posted on August 4, 2021 by Jonas

In the opening chapter of Walden; or Life in the Woods, Henry David Thoreau wrote “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Too bleak a statement? Perhaps, but during the past few years many white people have been … Continue reading →

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We Are All in This Together

Posted on May 18, 2021 by Jonas

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as a “wild garden” within New York City’s Central Park, the Ramble has long been appreciated as a sanctuary offering a quiet respite from the big city since its opening in 1859. … Continue reading →

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An Earth Day Litany

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Jonas

Today is a day for reflection and prayer – gratitude for the beauty of the earth, grief at all the species we have lost. This time of pandemic and climate crisis calls for a unified response from the many often … Continue reading →

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A Great Pause

Posted on April 9, 2020 by Jonas

In a January 28th article in the New York Times, author and journalist David Quammen, whose 2012 book Spillover examined emerging diseases, wrote: We are faced with two mortal challenges, in the short term and the long term. Short term: … Continue reading →

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“You save animals and humans alike, O YHWH.” (Psalm 36:6)

Posted on October 26, 2019 by Jonas

People around the globe, both Christians and non-Christians, recognize the historical figure of Jesus Christ as the teacher, healer, and preacher whose actions and words led to the formation of a world religion. Centuries of reading and praying over scripture … Continue reading →

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A Diminuendo of Birdsong

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Jonas

The increasing numbers of species that have become extinct or threatened with extinction was the main message delivered by the recent report from the  Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). Here are some of its findings specifically … Continue reading →

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Our Nation’s Changing Views of Nature: An Exhibition

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Jonas

We love art because we enjoy the beauty of what artists create, but art can also be appreciated as a record of human cultural values and beliefs. An excellent example of this approach is Nature’s Nation: American Art and Environment, … Continue reading →

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And how are the children?

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Jonas

Forms of greeting vary around the world. In India, you would say “namaste” and bow. In Ukraine, it’s the triple kiss, left-right-left, etc. Masai warriors in Kenya, even those without children, greet each other with “Kasserian ingera” which translates as … Continue reading →

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She walked in the world to love it . . .

Posted on January 26, 2019 by Jonas

Soon after her death on January 17th of this year, the loving eulogies and appreciations began appearing in the media universe. Whatever critics might think about the plainness of her style (which she consciously aimed for), many readers of Mary … Continue reading →

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Moments of Grace

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Jonas

Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere have recently experienced the longest night of the year. A few nights later, many of us celebrated the birth of Jesus, Son of the Creator, whose coming was signaled by an astronomical sign. … Continue reading →

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