How YOU Could Use The Extraordinaries -- Post #10 -- Hooked on Nature

Hooked On Nature

What They Do

Hooked on Nature, located in San Jose, California seeks to change the current mindset that separates people from the natural world.  Through a three phase plan of shifting this mindset -- raising awareness, engaging in meaningful action, and supporting cultural change -- they believe the cultural mindset can in fact be transformed.  They site other campaigns such as "bringing bags to the grocery store, recycling, reducing sugar snacks for children and not smoking in public places," as similar paradigmatic shifts. They believe that "the idea of developing a loving relationship with the natural world has the potential to usher in a new era - an era of restoration for humanity and the Earth."

How Hooked on Nature can "Be Extraordinary!"

Hooked on Nature has a number of ambitious programs designed to engage people with the natural world.  Their blog, 52 Ways to Fall in Love with the Earth provides poignant anecdotes, as well tangible steps people can take to better connect.  Hooked on Nature could tap into Extraordinaries volunteers to do much of the work for them!  Through the mobile-web interface, volunteers could record a dynamic audio clip on why nature matters to them.  They could use video recording capabilities to capture and tell their story -- and upload it to the blog, even while they are still in nature, thanks to ubiquitous internet access.  They could take photos, and thanks to the phone's GPS capabilities, could tell people where their special natural world discovery is, and why they should visit it.

Want to Learn More?

http://www.hookedonnature.org/

What Do You Think?

Can technology actually bring people closer to nature?  How might YOU use the Extraordinaries application to share your environmental story?  We welcome your comments. 

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Alex Budak is a recent graduate of UCLA and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Policy at Georgetown University , with a focus on Technology and Social Entrepreneurship.  He is joining The Extraordinaries this summer as a Research Fellow.

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