Visit our Gardens and Reconnect with Nature in 2012

The ‘Reconnecting with Nature’ display has been unveiled at the Kirstenbosch, KwaZulu-Natal and Karoo Desert National Botanical Gardens. These are the first three of the nine Botanical Gardens to feature the display. During the first few weeks of 2012, the remaining Gardens will also install this thought-provoking exhibit.

Purpose of the displays

‘Reconnecting with Nature’ encourages visitors to sit quietly for a while, to experience the tranquility of nature, to appreciate our biodiversity – the natural components and processes that support life - and to reflect on the enduring narrative of our shared place on earth.

Earth’s web of life

Many years ago, Suquamish Chief Seattle wrote that ‘The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected.” And in those simple yet profound words, he brought back into consciousness the subliminal truth that we are all part of an interconnected and ever-changing collective whole within the earth’s web of life.

Our dependence on our biodiversity

This common thread that weaves its way through the dynamic fabric of life is resolute yet fragile and proffers the unspoken truth that if we harm the living world around us, ultimately we harm ourselves too. This can often seem an abstract concept, yet the collective impacts from our changing climate, our contaminated food and water, the earth's diminished wild places and disappearing wildlife will undoubtedly open our eyes to one of the greatest of life’s truths – and that is that all our lives are intimately dependent on our biodiversity, from species to healthy functioning ecosystems and rolling landscapes. Indeed the goods and services which these natural systems provide are essential to our well-being and survival. Generations to come will experience an echo of all that we create, manifest and strive for today.

The importance of connecting with nature

When we immerse ourselves in nature, be it a walk along a mountain path or on a windswept beach, we are invigorated by the experience and our spirits resonate with the earth’s energies around us, moving us forward in a positive and meaningful way, and reaffirming that we all need nature for both our spiritual and physical well-being.

Displays explore our relationship with nature

The ‘Reconnecting with Nature’ signage display, created by Belinda Ashton of the Nature Connection and with support from the Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust, managed by BoE Private Clients, explores our relationship with nature and the growing imperative to live more consciously within our increasingly fragmented world. The display will feature in each of the nine South African National Botanical Gardens, encouraging visitors to spend quiet reflective time reading the boards and assimilating a message of connection to our wider living world.

Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher 'standard of living' is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. Aldo Leopold