Microplastic Monitoring Volunteers Find Nurdles and More.

A week ago Waterspirit’s Program Manager, Anne Price, and volunteers, Maryrose and Bill Little, met at Snug Harbor in Highlands, NJ to sample for microplastics in the sand. We are sorry to say, we found plenty of plastics. It was easy to see plastic litter such as cigarette tips, broken toys, bottle caps and more. But as we screened the sand and looked closer we discovered many microplastics that we might not have noticed. Unfortunately, wildlife notices those tiny bits. They often mistake the microplastic for food, especially the nurdles. Nurdles are tiny pellets used to make plastic products. Accidental spillage and mishandling means billions of nurdles end up in the ocean, creating problems within the marine ecosystem. That may be how plastics enter the food chain. We will keep doing our part to protect the sacred water.

NEW: The Journal of Mental Health & Climate Change

Waterspirit’s Executive Director, Blair Nelsen, witnessed the impact Superstorm Sandy had, reverberating years later and viscerally felt the effects when learning of support received by our special nonprofit. Thus, since 2019, Waterspirit has offered eco-anxiety support through private program curation as well as a 10 week support group modeled off the Good Grief Network’s, 10 Steps.

We are relaying from the Mental Health & Climate Change Alliance this inaugural issue of the Journal of Mental Health & Climate Change. If you are interested in contributing to the journal, we encourage you to follow the instructions and do so! This work requires interdisciplinary collaboration and introspection. Thank you for spending the time to protect, rejuvenate and generally care for Earth.

As usual, please reach out if you have any questions about our contemplative programming, our advocacy campaigns and anything in-between via water@waterspirit.org

Nature Makes People Healthier!

Waterspirit knows that safe, accessible and high-quality green and blue spaces can have positive impacts on human health and well-being. Exposure to nature has been linked to improved attention, lower stress, better mood, even increase empathy and cooperation. Exposure to forests and trees boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, improves mood, increases energy level, increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD. Exposure to blue spaces promotes calmness and stimulates healing. Spending time in blue spaces lowers the risk of stress, anxiety, obesity, cardiovascular disease and premature death.

The following credible resources provide scientific data regarding the health benefits of blue and green spaces.

Open and print the PDF files below for your home, office or classroom:

Waterspirit school, club and camp programming offers children the opportunity to mindfully experience nature and deepen their connections to nature, which increases their wellbeing and sets the stage for them to be future lovers and protectors of the earth.

Do you agree that kids are healthier and happier when they spend time in nature? Join the NJ Kids in Nature Coalition. Waterspirit is in the coalition along with other environmental groups, teachers, pediatricians, parents, grandparents, and more. For more info, visit the website here: NJkidsinNature.org

Hire Waterspirit for your business

Waterspirit can be hired by your business to conduct mindfulness programs for the wellness of your employees. Programs can be conducted online or in-person, at your location or ours. Email Water@Waterspirit.org to inquire.

Johnson & Johnson recently hired Waterspirit to host an online Mindfulness and Nature workshop for their employees.

““I LOVED the mindfulness webinar. It was so relaxing and a great reminder to practice breathing and centering myself daily...Anne was fantastic!””
— Christine, Johnson & Johnson Employee

“In New Jersey, Teaching Climate Change to the Next Generation” Featuring NJ Educator Carolyn McGrath

We need to educate each living generation about the potential mitigation and resiliency measures that can be taken preventatively today to alleviate the crises caused by climate emergency. This is critical to the work Waterspirit does, especially with regards to clean energy, stormwater management and green infrastructure.

People in New Jersey have taken the lead on incorporating climate change education standardization into K-12 curricula and it has not been easy.

We are proud to highlight one of our favorite educators, Carolyn McGrath, who demonstrates what is possible when incorporating science, advocacy and art for students, their families and the outer communities she continues to reach. You may recall, Waterspirit’s team asked for you to sign a letter in support of this standardization including mathematics and English language arts when it was being challenged. We thank you for your ongoing activism. Educators like Carolyn need our unwavering, active support. Check out her latest quotes in the most recent article listed below.

Many US Schools Aren’t Teaching About Climate Change. Students Aren’t Happy About That via USA Today, 9/24/23

New Jersey Requires Climate Change Education. A Year In, Here’s How It’s Going via NPR 8/21/23

In New Jersey, Teaching Climate Change to the Next Generation via UNDARK 11/14/22

Welcoming the Autumn at the Fall Equinox Celebration

On Friday, September 22, we welcomed the harvest season with music, ritual, poetry, and prayer. We gave thanks for the abundance in our lives, we let go of what no longer serves us, and we invited balance into our days. Many thanks to our special guest musician, Phil Weir, for sharing his talents with us during the ceremony. We are grateful for all of the volunteers, readers, and guests who commemorated the beginning of autumn with us. Photos by the incomparable Robert Wasilewski. Mother Tree photos by Anne Price, Program Manager.