Elephant Nature Park is a unique project set in Chiang Mai province, Northern Thailand. Established in the 1990’s our aim has always been to provide a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. The park is located some 60km from the city, and has provided a sanctuary for dozens of distressed elephants from all over Thailand.

Duty of Care

Our duty of care is to all those under the protection of our umbrella. This includes our staff and guests. We host Elephants, cats, dogs, buffaloes and many other rescued species. We owe them all a duty of care and will do our best to provide the best environment possible. We deeply value the contribution made by all which helps us achieve our goals of providing a sanctuary for those who cannot speak for themselves

Elephant Nature Park Mission Statement
1.Sanctuary for endangered species: We provide homes for these animals as well as contributing to their welfare and development.
2.Rain Forest Restoration: One of the most exciting developments at the park is our programme of tree planting the surrounding area. The ecological balance of plants and animals will be encouraged by the re-introduction of the rain forest. Some 25 acres of the mountainside will be planted every year for the first 5 years.
3.Cultural Preservation: To maintain, as much as possible, the cultural integrity of the local community. By creating employment and purchasing agricultural products locally we are assisting the villagers in sustaining their distinct culture. Park managers are recruited locally to oversee the park’s progress.
4.Visitors Education : To educate visitors, individuals, study groups, schools and interested parties. Emphasis on the plight of the endangered local species will be presented in an entertaining and constructive manner. Future phases will include audio / visual equipment and other modern educational aids. It is anticipated that small conferences and workshops will be organised at the park.
5.Act independently : of pressure groups and political movements that we consider contrary to the well being of the park and the creatures in its care.

Press Coverage

The park has received numerous awards from institutions including the Smithsonian. The founder was named Asian Hero of the Year by Time magazine in 2005 and the park has been featured in many international publications including National Geographic magazine as well as feature documentaries from respected film production companies – Discovery Channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, BBC, CNN, KTV, RAI, major Thai language TV channels, printed press and radio stations.

TO HELP AND LEARN MORE PLEASE VISIT:

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/how-you-can-help/

After days of warnings that flooding was imminent in Harris County, some horse owners apparently still missed the point. Or at least that's what can be surmised based on the fact that dozens of horses were stranded in high waters on Monday as one of the worst floods in Houston's history swept through the area.

On Monday morning, more than 70 horses were trapped at the Cypress Trails Equestrian Center by the rising floodwaters, according to a video posted on Facebook by Spring Happenings. When news of the trapped horses broke, people arrived with boats and horse trailers to rescue the animals. People were jumping into the swiftly moving water to try to bring the animals safely to higher ground, according to the video and various reports.

Source:
http://www.houstonpress.com/news/more-than-70-horses-at-cypress-stables-rescued-from-flood-waters-8334623

Our Heartfelt Thanks to Mr. Joel Pirchesky, CEO of One World Blue, LLC, for drafting the below Letter of Support upon my request to the Palmdale Water District.

We look forward to further collaboration on issues we face for Social and Planetary Healing in 2016 and Beyond.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Star Moffatt,

Please visit my campaign election site to understand why my election next year to the California State Senate will make the most impact upon on our state, nation and world.

My very best to everyone for a joyous, healthy, prosperous, and peaceful New Year 2016!!

http://www.starmoffatt4senate.com/

https://www.facebook.com/starmoffatt2016/

https://twitter.com/star_moffatt

Letter of Support from One World Blue, LLC for Conservation Project to Restore Little Rock Dam

December 1, 2015

One World Blue, LLC

Attention:

Dennis D. LaMoreaux, P.E., SDA - General Manager
Matthew Knudson, Assistant Manager
Palmdale Water District / Concerned Consumers of Palmdale Water District
2029 East Ave Q
Palmdale, CA 93550
Dear Mr. LaMoreaux and Mr. Knudson,

We are writing to you on behalf of the One World Blue Corporation to express to you and give our support and encouragement to the Palmdale Water District for its plans regarding the restoration of the Little Rock Dam.

Noting, our organization came to learn about the Little Rock Dam issue from Mrs. Star Moffatt, who expressed; that it appears one of your agency’s goals is to find ecological balance within the region with the relocation of the Arroyo Toad to a safe location in another habitat and/or sanctuary.
This is an admirable project and you have our full support in its endeavors. Our network, Blupela.com, that our corporation has established to bring Social and Planetary Healing to our world, has a component within it called Planet Sanctuary that is dedicated entirely to the conservation and harmony of our ecosystems and wildlife within our Global Society.
We would like to share with you some of our thoughts regarding our philosophy when it comes to Planetary Conservation and Ecological Restoration. Please feel free to contact us further regarding any questions or assistance we may be able to provide for you regarding this critical and crucial endeavor you are seeking to complete which will allow alleviation for the current water crisis that your region is now facing. These thoughts below are what One World Blue and the Planet Sanctuary program hold to be true and incorporate in our perspective for Global Planetary Education and Awareness for Conservation.
Our approach at One World Blue to Planetary Conservation is a Holistic one, meaning conservation has to take into account all components to an ecosystem and environment and that includes the balance of all life within. That means to say that often when speaking about and addressing conservation issues, some conservation groups and advocates may focus on an issue without considering the complete totality and balance of life within that ecosystem or region.

The totality of life includes the human dimension and is a primary and important factor. This totality of life including human habitation within that system by logic and reason inherently draws in the human dimension and dynamics and they must be taken into the proper consideration when working to achieve ecological balance. This perspective is a true holistic one and is therefore mindful of all life that inhabits a particular region. With the intelligence and wisdom that has been bestowed upon us, we as a stewards of the Earth must work diligently to preserve all life and conservation and at the same time understand and incorporate our needs for survival and peaceful existence within that system to achieve harmony and balance within.

Often conservation issues look at the ecology of an area and its habitat with life within with the perspective of posing humans as the main actors and destructive deterrent on the ecosystem. While there is validation and merit in this approach and of course undoubted evidence that human habitation without conscious effort to live in balance with our environment has served to create havoc on our Planet, it may be amiss not to take into consideration that humans are also inherently by definition part of the particular ecosystem and must be weighed and valued accordingly in the effort to achieve proper balance.

A holistic approach includes everyone and everything and cannot view human life as just the culprit and demon to the problem. It must take into consideration the preciousness of all life and the conscious effort of how to achieve balance, especially in relation to ensuring the survival and protection of human life and not deterring or impeding any possible outcome that a conservation effort or injunction may impose upon human survival.

We must work diligently to find solutions to our Planet that also include the progress and preservation of humankind in the total picture while at the same time have the diligent concern and desire within to care for and protect all of the Earth's creatures and precious resources. This is a balanced holistic approach and this is what we believe, educate and stand for. It is a moderate and healthy approach to working towards conservation efforts and solutions to our Planet.

With this said, we would like to endorse your efforts within the Palmdale Water District to actively seek and work toward this conservation effort regarding the restoration of the Little Rock Dam. We understand this restoration also includes your protection and consideration of the life and survival of the Arroyo Toad within the scope of the project.

We feel that a project in which you may relocate the Arroyo Toad to another safe habitat or sanctuary is a worthwhile and meritorious project and one in which you are being mindful and environmentally conscious of the survival of this particular species. At the same time you are placing first and foremost the critical and crucial needs of your population within your region to have access to safe water for drinking and daily use.

This is a mindful project and one in which falls within the scope and understanding of the philosophy within our Planet Sanctuary Module and within the goals and aspirations of the One World Blue Corporation for Social and Planetary Healing.

If you would like any further remarks or have any questions for us, please feel free to contact us directly.

Best regards to you and our sincerest wishes for success in your project.

Joel Pirchesky MPPM

CEO and Founder

One World Blue, LLC

cc: Mrs. Star Moffatt, Concerned Palmdale Resident-Consumer of Palmdale
Water District

Hi It is Mike Stout here:

I want to bring your attention to this petition here that we are asking you help with to sign....

Please if you want to help visit the link below and give your voice with your signature and support.

How this will help

The U.S. Forest Service is considering letting the second biggest coal company in the country bulldoze through thousands of acres of publicly-owned roadless forest so they can mine more than 170...

U.S. Forest Service

I oppose the Forest Service proposal to reopen the coal mining loophole in the Colorado Roadless Rule.

Expanding Arch Coal’s mine would provide access to 170 million tons of new coal with the potential to release up to 486 million tons of carbon pollution. In fact, your own analysis found that this carbon pollution could cause up to $13 billion in damage to the world’s economy and environment. In addition, the existing mine already releases millions of cubic feet of methane -- which is 86 times more damaging to our climate than carbon dioxide over a 20 year period -- directly into our atmosphere every day. Expanding the mine and building new methane well pads would only exacerbate the damage at a time when we can least afford it.

This plan is dangerously out of step with the critical goal of cutting U.S. carbon emissions by 26 percent in ten years as well as the president’s goal of reducing emissions from federal agencies by 40 percent in the same time period.

This loophole would also set the stage for up to 72 miles of road being bulldozed on 30 square miles of roadless forest, degrading habitat for black bear, elk, goshawk, lynx, and cutthroat trout.

Please protect our climate and this beautiful roadless forest by rejecting the coal mining loophole to the Colorado Roadless Rule.

Signed,

Sierra Club

Invite Friends

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE CAMPAIGN TO SIGN

https://www.causes.com/actions/1782761-sign-the-petition-to-u-s-forest-service

I GIVE YOU HERE A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THE BEAUTY WE ARE WORKING TO PROTECT

WORK WITH US TO HELP SAVE THE BEAUTY AND PROTECTION AND INTEGRITY OF OUR LAND

There is a special place I discovered a few years ago in Northern Israel called The Iyon Stream and the Tanur Waterfall. I first went on a hike here on March 21, 2013 and then returned again the following year, on June 7, 2014. I was with different people both times. In 2013, I hiked the entire trail, which took a few hours, with my business partner Dennis Bair (of The BairFind Foundation ) and then in 2014 I invited my sister Esther and a good friend named Matt to come explore this beautiful nature reserve. I wanted to capture that sense of magic I had in 2013, but I realized it wasn't the same sort of discovery I had the first time, despite being with good company. Nevertheless, the second time around the weather was hotter and perfect for cooling off under a waterfall, something I didn't experience with Dennis in 2013.

This amazing park has many, many different waterfalls in fact, not just that one called the "Tanur", which happens to be the highest one at 30 meters (100 feet high). My favorite waterfall is the Tahanah (Flourmill) Waterfall, which is 21 meters high (nearly 70 ft.). It is named this because of an old flour mill located near the foot of the waterfall. The views are simply spectacular, with vistas and vast expanses opening up in the upper part of the trail. The Iyon Stream has its sources 7 km north of Metulla in the country of Lebanon and was also mentioned in the Talmud as the “path of Iyon.”

All photographs are Copyright © 2013-2014 Jonathan Wayne.

March 21, 2013

June 7, 2014

Forest gardening

Forest gardening is a low-maintenance sustainable plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables which have yields directly useful to humans. Making use of companion planting, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers, to build a woodland habitat. Forest gardening is a prehistoric method of securing food in tropical areas. In the 1980s, Robert Hart coined the term "forest gardening" after adapting the principles and applying them to temperate climates.

History

Forest gardens are probably the world's oldest form of land use and most resilient agroecosystem. They originated in prehistoric times along jungle-clad river banks and in the wet foothills of monsoon regions. In the gradual process of families improving their immediate environment, useful tree and vine species were identified, protected and improved whilst undesirable species were eliminated. Eventually superior foreign species were selected and incorporated into the gardens. Forest gardens are still common in the tropics and known by various names such as: home gardens in Kerala in South India, Nepal, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Tanzania; Kandyan forest gardens in Sri Lanka; huertos familiares, the "family orchards" of Mexico; and pekarangan, the gardens of "complete design", in Java. These are also called agroforests and, where the wood components are short-statured, the term shrub garden is employed. Forest gardens have been shown to be a significant source of income and food security for local populations. Robert Hart adapted forest gardening for the United Kingdom's temperate climate during the 1980s. His theories were later developed by Martin Crawford from the Agroforestry Research Trust and various permaculturalists such as Graham Bell, Patrick Whitefield, Dave Jacke and Geoff Lawton.

Seven-layer system

Robert Hart pioneered a system based on the observation that the natural forest can be divided into distinct levels. He used intercropping to develop an existing small orchard of apples and pears into an edible polyculture landscape consisting of the following layers:

A key component of the seven-layer system was the plants he selected. Most of the traditional vegetable crops grown today, such as carrots, are sun loving plants not well selected for the more shady forest garden system. Hart favoured shade tolerant perennial vegetables.

Further development

The Agroforestry Research Trust (ART), managed by Martin Crawford, runs experimental forest gardening projects on a number of plots in Devon, United Kingdom. Crawford describes a forest garden as a low-maintenance way of sustainably producing food and other household products.

Ken Fern had the idea that for a successful temperate forest garden a wider range of edible shade tolerant plants would need to be used. To this end, Fern created the organisation Plants for a Future (PFAF) which compiled a plant database suitable for such a system. Fern used the term woodland gardening, rather than forest gardening, in his book Plants for a Future.

The Movement for Compassionate Living (MCL) promote forest gardening and other types of vegan organic gardening to meet society's needs for food and natural resources. Kathleen Jannaway, the founder of MCL, wrote a book outlining a sustainable vegan future called Abundant Living in the Coming Age of the Tree in 1991. In 2009, the MCL provided a grant of £1,000 to the Bangor Forest Garden project in Gwynedd, North West Wales.

In 2005, Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier's two-volume book Edible Forest Gardens provided a deeply researched reference focused on North American forest gardening climates, habitats, and species. The book attempts to ground forest gardening deeply in ecological science. The Apios Institute wiki grew out of their work, and seeks to document and share the experience of people around the world working with the species in polycultures.

Robert Hart, Horticulturist:

Permaculture

Bill Mollison, who coined the term permaculture, visited Robert Hart at his forest garden in Wenlock Edge in October 1990. Hart's seven-layer system has since been adopted as a common permaculture design element.

Numerous permaculturalists are proponents of forest gardens, or food forests, such as Graham Bell, Patrick Whitefield, Dave Jacke, Eric Toensmeier and Geoff Lawton. Bell started building his forest garden in 1991 and wrote the book The Permaculture Garden in 1995, Whitefield wrote the book How to Make a Forest Garden in 2002, Jacke and Toensmeier co-authored the two volume book set Edible Forest Gardening in 2005, and Lawton presented the film Establishing a Food Forest in 2008.

Austrian Sepp Holzer practices "Holzer Permaculture" on his Krameterhof farm, at varying altitudes ranging from 1,100 to 1,500 metres above sea level. His designs create micro-climates with rocks, ponds and living wind barriers, enabling the cultivation of a variety of fruit trees, vegetables and flowers in a region that averages 4°C, and with temperatures as low as -20°C in the winter.

Projects

El Pilar on the Belize-Guatemala border features a forest garden to demonstrate traditional Maya agricultural practices. A further 1-acre model forest garden, called Känan K’aax (meaning well-tended garden in Mayan), is being funded by the National Geographic Society and developed at Santa Familia Primary School in Cayo.

In the United States the largest known food forest on public land is believed to be the 7-acre Beacon Food Forest in Seattle, WA. Other forest garden projects include those at the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute in Basalt, Colorado and Montview Neighborhood farm in Northampton, Massachusetts.

In Canada food forester Richard Walker has been developing and maintaining food forests in the province of British Columbia for over 30 years. He developed a 3-acre food forest that when at maturity provided raw materials for a nursery and herbalism business as well as food for his family. The Living Centre have developed various forest garden projects in Ontario.

In the United Kingdom, other than those run by the Agroforestry Research Trust (ART), there are numerous forest garden projects such as the Bangor Forest Garden in Gwynedd, North West Wales. Martin Crawford from ART administers the Forest Garden Network, an informal network of people and organisations around the world who are cultivating their own forest gardens.

Salem Cross Inn's Kitchen Gardens (in Massachusetts):

An Urban Food Forest in Sydney, Australia:

Manhattan's Lenape Edible Estate:

Hale Akua Permaculture Garden Farm in Maui, Hawaii:

A design outline for a food forest:

A potager garden in someone's front yard:

"Broccoli Forest" by artist Carl Warner:

Further reading

Why Food Forests?
The Garden of the Future?
Edible Forest Gardens: an invitation to adventure
8 Best Crops for a Potager
Maya Forest Gardening
Seattle's new 7 acre food forest, Beacon Food Forest
NPR: Seattle's First Urban Food Forest Will Be Open To Foragers
Teaching Sustainable Food Systems