Did you know ancient whales walked on land? Mystic also walked right into our hearts. Swoon-worthy. One of our founding principles is to be committed to protecting what we love. Charitable contributions and inspired action for environmental and social justice are part of the framework of Mystic Peaks Studios. Today we celebrate Mystic and all the whales.
Meet our symbolically adopted Mystic (L-115) a Salish sea southern resident orca whale:
Isn't he the cutest? Named in part for the mystical nature of orca (perfect) and to follow a succession of M's, he was born during an August storm in 2010 on the west side of Vancouver Island. Mystic's L-pod has been seen travelling as far south as northern California. They tend to hang in the coastal waters of BC/WA. Mystic's Mom, Marina, has not been seen in a couple of years now. This adoption is meaningful on many levels.
We are celebrating #whaleday as both proud adopters of Mystic and lovers of nature and wild creatures, with a special fondness for whales. This adoption is through the Whale Museum. They’ve been around since 1979 and were trail blazers in this type of conservation and charity work. Highly respected and by us very much recommended!
Leveraging our resources to support research and education, highlight species at risk, invest in our shared future, and feel connected to these beautiful wild creatures is rooted in what inspires and motivates us. Since first adopting in 2021 it has changed the way we look at our actions and how we choose to exist. It has personalized it. We’ve even had an increase in orca sightings. Such a treat. We just may adopt the whole family!
When working with collaborative leadership, we can look to the orca for inspiration. The pods are large families, they spread out in smaller pods to efficiently hunt, and remain connected through advanced communication. Their strength is in their community. Since these beautiful beings provide a source of joy and inspiration, there is an inclination to give back.
A lot of the work we do here at MPS is within the outdoor recreation space, if we don't preserve and protect what we love about the outdoors, like clean water and wildlife, what is the point? Besides a big reason any of us are in this industry is because we deeply and profoundly love nature and the experience of it. Thinking beyond ourselves is a natural progression of this care and enjoyment.
Ways we exist here at Mystic Peaks Studios to further support our ocean friends: It all starts with awareness and mindful choices. Small shifts in habits and behaviour can create large and in charge changes. Redefining how we interact with nature, including through our lifestyles, has a ripple affect that is no doubt felt by these whales.
8 WAYS TO EXPRESS RESPECT FOR WATER & THE WILD CREATURES:
1. REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION. SEE NOTES FOR MEANINGFUL METHODS.
2. DRINK TAP WATER, NOT BOTTLED. (CARRY A REUSABLE VESSEL & USE A FILTER TO
REMOVE CHLORINE & HEAVY METALS).
3. GIVE THANKS TO THE WATERS/H2O.
4. CONNECT RESPECTFULLY WITH WILDLIFE.
5. COMPOST & CREATE A LOW-WATER-USE DROUGHT-TOLERANT GARDEN. EXTRA POINTS FOR EDIBLES FOR PEOPLE & POLLINATORS.
6. PERSONIFY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION WITH SYMBOLIC ADOPTIONS.
7. RE/PURPOSE & REUSE PACKAGING & PLASTIC, ESPECIALLY SINGLE USE. OR RECYCLE.
8. RE/IMAGINE HABITS & BEHAVIORS THAT AFFECT THE CYCLE OF LIFE. HINT LOWERING
WATER USE THROUGH SMALL STEPS CREATES BIG WAVES IN THE WORLD. SHARE THE LOVE & SPREAD THE WORD OF YOUR ACTIONS.
Much more could be added to this list...
9. Reduce plastic and single use consumption overall.
Example; this past year we stopped using bagged teas and switched to buying bulk organic loose teas, herbs, flowers, and spices and make our own blends in reusable vessels.
10. Pack in pack out. Leave wilderness sites better than we found them. No trace but maybe a bit of gentle earth art. In fact this practice can be applied anywhere and everywhere. Earth is connected through both air and water sheds.
11. Eating ocean wise sustainable seafood. We lean towards organic, local, regenerative and plant based. Not vegans, we consume ethical animal products and watch our food waste like hawks.
12. In general at studio base camp we live and work semi-off-grid. Travel is a chance to keep trying new ways of being sustainable on the go. Carrying reuseable cutlery with picnics and coffee/tea vessels a must. I am lit up by how normalized bringing a reuseable water bottle both in and out of airports has become. Let's keep positively evolving, innovating and leave the world better than we found it.
Acknoledging simple steps and ways to be renew our hope by being part of the solutions and creatively addressing the problems. Mystic is another amazing reason to live and work consciously. Thank you Mystic for helping keep this doorway to our wild selves open.
In Gratitude,
Nichola @ Mystic Peaks Studio
If you love the sky and the water so much you almost cannot bear it, that is a door. ~Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Extra Notes: 8 Ways to Reduce Water Consumption:
Take shorter showers. If you like baths have them less often and if possible reuse the cooled bathwater to water plants and gardens.
Install a low flow showerhead. Install aerators.
Be mindful of running water from the tap when not in use. Such as when you brush your teeth or wash your hands/face.
Mind your irrigation by creating gardens that require less water.
Trade out old appliances, such as clothes and dish washers, for efficient ones. Only run the dishwasher for big jobs and take a hand bath by washing the dishes by hand.
Fix leaking taps. Those little drops add up.
Collect rain water. There's great rain catching barrels out there.
Install a grey water system if possible and use eco products.
All Images and Writing Copyright Mystic Peaks Studios except where noted.