Growing up Filipino, it never once crossed my mind that I would one day be a vegetarian, let alone a vegan. I mean, that was preposterous in my family, and in my entire country, really. When I first went veg in college, I did not stand a chance at family parties. Not only did uncles…
Redwoods Through the Eyes of a Southern Pomo and Coast Miwok Native
The story goes that once upon a time, all plants and animals were people. One of them was Coyote, who created the world from the top of Sonoma Mountain. His village elders became the redwoods – crimson colored to remind everyone that we are all of the same blood. One only had to look west…
Flying Solo: The Big Island + Its Sacred Mountain
I traveled to this island alone because I wanted to think; to explore a place where the people hold a special, spiritual relationship with their land; where indigenous islanders are keeping their culture intact, and what that looks like as they coexist with people from the mainland who crave a piece of their aloha.
9 Things to Read, Watch, Hear on World Water Day
Every day should be World Water Day. Here’s a collection of inspiration to stay connected to our No. 1 life-giving resource.
How to Rewrite History
A year ago on Thanksgiving Day was the eve of when everything changed for me. Things were stirring for a while before that. As my family went around the dinner table to say what we were all thankful for, I could think of nothing I was more grateful for than the generosity that I was…
The Cutest Community Science Project
Did you know that there are islands all over Los Angeles County? In fact, Debs Park is one of them. (So are Verdugo Hills, Baldwin Hills, and Griffith Park, just to name a few.) “Debs Park is an island within the sea of urbanization that is Los Angeles,” says wildlife biologist Tom Ryan. This hidden…
Pics or It Didn’t Happen?
Around 4 a.m., Jeff and I crept out of our open-air bungalow. Our little stray jungle cat with the crooked tail and orange fur—we called her Naranjica (small orange)—scuttled around our feet along the gravel path to our rented Montero. The phrase “It’s always darkest before the dawn” seemed so true as we jounced over…
People Power Will Save Mother Earth
Mother Earth has been calling me for many years. I haven’t always been able to decipher her messages. A few years ago I started to understand a little bit better. I traveled to the far reaches of Southern Patagonia where I learned the story of the aboriginal Yaghan people, and it was the first time…
5 Beautiful Bugs That’ll Change Your Mind About Creepy Crawlers
I’m not exactly an insect enthusiast, but every now and then I can’t help but be captivated by their tiny, tiny bodies just trying to make it in this great, big world. When a beetle crosses my path, I can think of nothing more logical to do but to patiently let it be. (What has…
A Direct Update From the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock
The Oceti Sakowin Camp has been flooded with emails for months. Here are some key updates addressed in an email I received from them today. At this point they’re only really requesting monetary donations and FIREWOOD. Firewood is a priority since it’s not easy to find and transport in the northern plains. If you can…
The Revolution is Happening at Standing Rock
The Oceti Sakowin Camp looked like the promised land after a grueling 25+ hour drive. The terror I felt about coming to a place depicted as a war zone on social media had already started to dissipate, and then I saw a beacon: a massive tipi with a large turtle emblazoned on it. This was…
Not So Supernatural: Why Do Spiderwebs Disappear in the Morning?
A while back, I almost walked straight into this trap a spider spun right at my backdoor. It was about three feet in diameter, one of the most impressive webs I’d ever seen up close. Of course, I couldn’t possibly destroy something so intricately beautiful, so I left it. The next morning, it was gone…
everything is nature 