✷ Nature’s whispers ✷
The Nature’s Whispers project seeks to unite and inspire actions that support a sustainable and harmonious world. This project uses storytelling through music, dance, puppetry, and poetry to create awareness of nature’s ecosystems and how we can become better stewards of the Earth.
wildlife campaigns
The following seasonal and sustainable earth stewardship practices have been the guiding premises of this project. We are looking to galvanize change towards living in right relationship with our Earth, a relationship that is built on respect and the natural law of reciprocity. The more we are able to live in harmony with the Earth, the longer it will be around to support us in return.
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This is exactly what it sounds like. Letting fallen leaves stay in your yard to decompose rather than bagging them up and getting rid of them.
This benefits the Earth by returning nutrients to the soil, providing a habitat for wildlife during the colder months, creating a natural food source for microorganisms.
Plus you get free mulch and less work during the Fall!
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Pausing mowing for the month of May allows invertebrates and pollinators the foothold they need to thrive in the coming season.
They are an integral part of the ecosystem, and provide a huge food source for other animals in the area. The longer grasses serve as a shelter for species like opossums, arthropods, squirrels, chipmunks, and frogs. All of whom eat ticks!
This also helps grasses and flowers to deeply root and hydrate, meaning healthier, drought resistant lawns.
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Increasing evidence has linked light pollution with harm to wild life, the ecosystem, and human health.
By being more mindful about the kinds of outdoor lighting we use, we can help ensure that fireflies have the dark skies they rely on to reproduce. There's also the added benefit of reducing our carbon foot print and combating the increased risk of sleep disorders and depression that light pollution poses to humans.
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Allow plant stalks & seedheads to overwinter rather than deadheading them.
This provides natural shelter for pollinators and many invertebrates and is a food source for the birds. Your plants will live longer as a result!
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For healthy ecosystems, diversity matters. Using a mix of native trees, shrubs, grasses, herbs, and wildflowers, ensures there is enough variety for everything to have a source of sustenance.
performances
Past performances of Nature’s Whispers have corresponded with a wildlife stewardship practice for the season. Jess & Sam have performed for AHA night in downtown New Bedford, and The Heron’s annual Maypole festival.
Upcoming perfomances:
May 3rd - The Heron Center, Westport MA
May 4th - The Heron Center, Fall River MA
December 13th, 2025 - The Heron Center, Fall River MA
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album & zine
Nature’s Whispers is creating an album! We have been working on this project for over a year now and are ready to turn the collected pieces of music and spoken word poems into a physical and streamed product. Moving into this medium ensures that we can reach a further audience than we have been able to with in person performances alone. In addition, we will be creating an educational zine as an album insert and standalone piece to be distributed.
visit
Visitors to The Heron Center in Westport MA, will have the opportunity to see public art displays that highlight keystone species in our region and information about sustainable practices.
artists
✷ Jessica Howard, Executive Director of The Heron Center, has over 14 years of experience as an educator, artist, and writer and has worked with arts and cultural organizations throughout New England. Jessica has managed a 22 acre wildlife sanctuary since 2012. She has a long-standing commitment to educating the public about wellness and conservation issues by producing informative materials such as seasonal wildlife campaigns. She has led educational workshops for the Vermont State Dance Festival, the Shaker Village Dance Festival, and Tiny Dances at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center and at local events and festivals. A graduate of Keene State College, she is a certified Wellness Professional and a certified yoga and meditation teacher.
✷ Sam Babineau is a songwriter and fiddle player hailing from the South Coast of Massachusetts. She enjoys engaging with personal narratives that echo the storytelling found in traditional folk music, blended with a modern zest. Her introduction to Irish playing began with her involvement in Irish step at the age of 10. Since then, she has adapted her background of fiddle music to support her songwriting.