Hello and welcome to my first blog of 2022. I’m back!!! Yes, my blogs have been very few and far between, but I plan to change that this year. I have lots of wonderful things I would like to catch you up on that have happened lately from conservation charity events, to amazing bird encounters, adventures in nature, exciting exhibitions and more.

Today though, I would like to share my very first podcast interview. I was asked by the Bethan Burton - an artist and environmental educator from Brisbane - to be a guest on her art and nature podcast Journaling with Nature. Like most things I try for the first time, I was quite nervous, but Bethan was a delight to chat with I think you will really enjoy our conversation. You can listen by clicking the button below, or listen on Spotify here, or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

In our conversation we chat about:

• The important role my family played in instilling my love of nature.

• My journey from working in the fashion industry to becoming a full-time NZ bird artist.

• The story of the huia and why they convey an important conservation message (you can see the huia artwork here).

• Predator-free islands and mainland bird sanctuaries.

• Zealandia and their work with kākā conservation. See a behind the scenes video of my experience at Zealandia assisting with banding kākā chicks here.

• Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre and the story of Whisper the ruru (read more about Whisper’s story here).

• My creative process and the steps involved in creating my detailed art pieces.

• The nature that I see around where I live in the South Island of New Zealand.

• Creating a ‘time capsule’ for the people of the future which is hidden in the walls of my art studio (see the video here).

About Bethan:

Here’s what Bethan says about her work: ‘I believe that nature journaling is a practice that is highly beneficial both personally and environmentally, and is accessible to everyone. When you take the time to sit an observe nature with the intention to record what you see, you are creating a deep connection to your environment which will do nothing less than change your perspective on life. Slowing down to notice nature opens your eyes to a new world of wonder and also motivates you to value and take care of this precious world.’

To see Bethan’s beautiful work and learn more about nature journaling, check out her Instagram here and website here.