Environmental Consciousness

Environmental Consciousness

Using art and design as a medium to promote awareness can be very effective and inspiring.

NatureHoodWatch.org

Naturehood Watch is a collaborative project with a very talented artist and great friend of mine,  Kate Okeson. We decided to start this project after we heard about an assignment our children received at school. The goal of Naturehood Watch is to connect children and adults to local flora and fauna. With so many towns in the Monmouth and Ocean Counties surrounded by bodies of water, we felt that birds were a great place to start. The drawings below began as Birds of the Navesink to encourage children of Red Bank to walk along the river and experience local wildlife. 

The project evolved into Birds of Sandy Hook, after we were asked to participate in the Zero Waste Festival marking the 100th Anniversary of the National Parks Service in September of 2016. During the festival, we distributed informative bird posters with two blank boxes that encouraged children to observe the environment and draw what they see.  Naturehood Watch also works with schools helping to connect children and nature. Over the past two years, we've planted two trees at the Red Bank Middle School and plan on doing so until the school tells us to stop.

Red Bank Environmental Commission

Four years ago I became a member of the Red Bank Environmental Commission. Shortly thereafter, I gladly accepted the role as the Commission's graphic designer. I've enjoyed the opportunities to create our logo as well as all the flyers and posters for the events we host. Through art and design, I get to raise environmental awareness through the borough of Red Bank!