Generous lakes, enveloping mountains, sunsets over riverbends, rolling farms, lush tulip poplars and soaring red oak trees... Abundance is never more clear than in the landscape of a Kentucky summer.
We've been contemplating the relationship between the natural world and mental health. We're seizing opportunities to connect, to tune in, to inhale the aliveness of our being and surroundings. We're also committed to discovering ways in which we can share abundance with others.
We think bell hooks said it best in "Toward a Worldwide Culture of Love":"Through giving we develop the mind of gratitude. Giving enables us to experience the fullness of abundance—not only the abundance we have, but the abundance in sharing. In sharing all that we have we become more. We awaken the heart of love."
To witness abundance is only part of the equation. To share abundance — whether in the natural world, in resources, or in love — we ourselves have the ability to become more and to create more.
We hope your own meditations inspire you to consider how you might create or share abundance in your own networks, families, and communities.
Let us center abundance. Let us engender a great common wealth. Let us grow in our willingness to awaken the heart of love.
UofL President Kim Schatzel highlighted her first year in Louisville with a video featuring the numerous accomplishments made by students, faculty and staff.
Documentary Screening: This is The Ohio
July 11th - 8:00-10:00pm - Big Four Bridge
The Ohio River Way and the Kentucky Waterways Alliance in conjunction with Waterfront Park, the Downtown Development Authority, and River City Paddle Sports are hosting an outdoor documentary screening using the using the Big Four Bridge as a screen.
Bring your lawn chairs and your friends!
For more on the film, check out this brief synopsis.
Check out this Courier Journal opinion piece by the Ohio River Way's own Forest Clevenger. Today's ongoing youth mental health crisis is being driven by technology use. In response to this epidemic, outdoor adventure is posited as a uniquely restorative prescription.
World-renowned soprano and arts/health advocate Renée Fleming curates a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the powerful impacts of music and the arts on health and the human experience. On Great Podversations, she discusses her recently released book with Pulitzer Prize winning author, Richard Powers. To access the podcast, click the image above or click through to this link. To purchase the book and review scores of advanced praise, see this publisher's link.
In 2022, Louisville Visual Art (LVA) initiated Curate, Purchase, Inspire (CPI) in an effort to support the city’s entire visual arts ecosystem. It aims to do so by sponsoring Louisville’s artists, curators, and organizations through placing original art in accessible spaces at local non-profits.
For the 2024-2025 year, LVA proudly announces two Curate, Purchase, Inspire (CPI) Curatorial Fellows for the 2024-2025 year: Lindsey Cummins and Anne Borders.
Lindsey’s work will focus on commissioning and purchasing artwork for installation at the Louisville Grow’s property on Portland Avenue pictured above.
Anne will work with the Earth and Spirit Center to commission and purchase artwork for their grounds on Newburg Road as seen above.
The Center for Interfaith Relations is proud to present the 2024 Young Authors Sacred Essays Contest Winner, Khadija Khadjimedova. The essay, “Persistence and Resilience: The Confessions of Fire,” is a reflection on the author’s experiences as a young Muslim woman of Uzbekistan heritage growing up in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The writer ruminates on the desire to find love in her anger and forgiveness in her hurt. It’s so easy to be reluctant to forgive, she says, but it is the only choice we can make to progress as a society and to create social harmony and acceptance.
Louisville Metro is in the planning process of measuring and developing the public health benefits of the City's tree canopy. Above you'll find several opportunities to provide your feedback and ideas. You can also make your voice heard by filling out the Louisville Urban Forest Master Plan Survey.
The government of the United Kingdom introduced biodiversity net gain (BNG) legislation in February 2024, thus marking a profound change in planning regulations. The law aims to standardize practices for developers in England, requiring them to achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain by the completion of their projects. Moreover, developers must maintain the habitats they create or enhance for at least 30 years. This change has significant implications for ensuring more sustainable industry practices and long-term goals towards nature's recovery. To learn more, visit Natural England's blog, the primary resource of the government’s adviser for the natural environment.
The Kentucky Waterways Alliance is hiring a Water Policy Director. This position oversees KWA’s policy efforts and permitting oversight work, and requires some knowledge of Clean Water Act permitting programs, as well as basic understanding of other federal and state environmental protection laws. The Water Policy Director is a full-time, salaried position that reports directly to the Executive Director. We anticipate this role will be based in KWA’s Louisville office, but we welcome qualified candidates living within a reasonable driving distance from Louisville and/or Frankfort. To learn more about the position, visit this webpage.
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