The Sound of Change

Another nifty thing about studying the soundscape is the way it is emerging as the newest and most interesting 'early warning system' for habitat and environmental changes related to climate and warming conditions. Stay tuned for more on how the earth's 'creature chorus' is trying to tell us something important about our carbon footprints!

The Katmai Soundscape Project moves forward!

Big News from Wild Sanctuary! We've scheduled the second week in June to be on-site in Alaska for The Katmai Soundscape Project, a continuation of The World Soundscape Project begun last June in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This phase, obtaining baseline recordings of 3 sites within Alaska's Katmai National Park, is an exciting continuation of our global project work and will add significant material to the archive from that amazing location. Known as the 'land of 10,000 smokes', the Katmai is a spectacular 40 square mile, 100-700 ft. deep ash flow deposit from Novarupta Volcano. Also known for it's brown bears, robust waterways, rich salmon habitat, remote wilderness, and rugged coastlines, this area is still recovering from 1989's Valdez oil spill, although it was over 250 miles away! If you'd like to help us accomplish the baseline soundscape study of this region please make your contribution today -- just click on the MAKE A DONATION button to your right, under The Murie Center information. And thank you. We're grateful for your support! Image courtesy NPS/Katmai National Park Photo Archive.

Martyn & Noleen Stewart Visit The Wild

We had an all too rare visit this week from Martyn and 'Roo' Stewart, our wonderful friends and natural sound compatriotas from Natursound.org! Even a Sunday walk in the park is a rare delight with this pair along. Martyn's amazing identification abilities pinpoint particular birdsong on the fly, while his wife's absolute connection with the creature world provides an inspiring and delightful example for all lucky enough to enjoy their company. Martyn (a member of Wild Sanctuary's Arctic Soundscape Project) recommends the podcasts of: 'BirdNote: Radio Stories About the Intriguing Ways of Birds" on NPR's KPLU, Mon-Fri at 8:58 a.m. We miss 'em already, bless their cotton socks!

Institute for Inquiry Now Making News!

We're so pleased with recent news that our friend, the accomplished publisher/editor Casey Walker has launched the eagerly-awaited "Institute For Inquiry", a new 501(c)(3) non-profit organization ready to transform the way news is delivered. The IFI focuses upon the stories and events that offers important information about current realities that are truly of the most vital significance -- but which, traditionally, have received the least understanding and investigation, let alone basic coverage. Using an innovative 'inquiry model' this new form of international, web-based journalism invites participation, dialogue, and awareness. The current inquiry, 'The Wireless Age', is now underway and your thoughts and remarks are welcome. And do preview the 'Soundscape Trailer', a compelling video piece on Bernie's work by Veritas Production's Weston Walker at http://www.instituteforinquiry.org/inquiries/soundscapes.php The entire effort is artful, worthwhile, and significant. Congratulations and our very best wishes go out to Casey and the IFI team.

Specialist Safari Guide Visits Wild Sanctuary

We're lucky this week to have a visit from our friend Derek Solomon here from Zambia to attract support on behalf of the creatures of the South Luangwa National Park. Derek is the trustee of the South Luangwa Conservation Society, a non-profit sponsored organization working to protect the area's fragile wildlife from poaching and habitat destruction. To offer your support of their extraoridinary efforts please visit their website or contact Derek by e-mail at: slcs@iwayafrica,com. We can assure you that any support you can offer in the way of funds will be put to use in the best possible ways to help keep this 'creature nation' viable and thriving. Photo courtesy: Derek Solomon.

Defining Soundscape for the 21st Century

So many questions!. . . What's a soundscape? Why is it important? How does it fit into a busy, urban life? What are its' characteristics? How does it benefit our perception of other sounds? And how about those ecological, social, political, acoustic, engineering, natural resource, and health science applications? What does core content and assessment have to do with wireless technology; with ecology, ornithology, taxonomy, data analysis, or -- for that matter -- study abroad possibilities? Music? Art? Mapping? Urban Planning? Agriculture? Anthropolgy? If you think there's nothing left to be discovered...then discover the realm of soundscape exploration. Wild Sanctuary is instrumental in setting the standards for the new frontiers in bioacoustics. Like stepping aboard a rocket, we invite you along for an adventure with near-limitless possibilities and the excitment of travelling into vast and uncharted territory. Wild Sanctuary provides new transport between the natural and the virtual world. Open your ears. . . and welcome aboard!
"In order to love - you have to have something to live for. Let it be earth!"
- from 'Battlestar Galactica'

Sequoia National Park/King's Canyon

Click on the headline for a link to additional information about Wild Sanctuary's work in the field...in this case, Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks.

Sign of the Times...The New York Times!

When it comes to competing for bandwidth. . . we've got placement! The Sunday New York Times Magazine (Feb. 18, 2007) featured a terrific article about soundscapes entitled "The Noises of Nature". Montana author Jeff Hull did a wonderful job in capturing the most controversial aspects of Bernie's 'Niche Hypothesis' and illuminating the dialogue as well as the subject. Jeff and his wife Ronni live in an area where wolves still howl at the moon; lucky folks. We were fortunate to have such a well-versed fellow provide this profile. Thank you, Jeff! And thank you, NY Times!

Running For Eddie

Our friend, and 30Proof Media's Managing Partner, Jennell Haynes, is doing her personal best to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at the upcoming LaSalle Banks Chicago Marathon! She's currently in training to 'go for the gold'...attracting donations to the cause with her energetic commitment to participate. She's way out in front of the curve with her on-going cheery and powerful contributions on behalf of others. We salute and support her effort. Hey, Jennell! . . . We're behind you all the way! Click the headline to visit her blog.

Natural Sound - the AAA way.

VIA Magazine, the AAA Traveler's trusty Companion, is just sending out the March/April 2007 issue featuring Wild Sanctuary's own Bernie Krause in a fine article by Bill Donahue on (what else?) Biophony!
If YOU have been wondering where to find a few of the last quiet places left in the Western U.S., the AAA article lists a number of sweet spots to explore. To immerse yourself in the natural sounds of silence -- or at least find a few calming, 'chirp-filled' campsites, check out 'Sites for Sore Ears' within the article entitled "Stop, Look, & Listen!"

Educational Moment: Biophony

To learn more about the word coined by Dr. Krause, Biophony, or the the cumulative non-human sound produced by living organisms in a given biome, please visit Acoustic Ecology.
It is also a great resource to learn more about conservational biology.

You can also read about it on Neighborhood Newswire, a San Francisco Community Power organization.

More can be read at Wikitionary.

Making noise for Google Earth

This just in from the blog Ogle Earth.

"Excellent: Bernie Krause's biophony recordings, soundscapes of nature, look like they'll be turned into a KML layer soon, reports O'reilly Radar. Until then, try Freesound, a site with georeferenced ambient sounds that comes with its own KML layer. Still one of my favorites. (More about the possibilities for navigating using sound for the sight impaired here.)"

We are working on some great things here at Wild Sanctuary. Don't forget to check us out at Where 2.0 this May.

Ogle Earth brings you news about virtual globes, with a special focus on Google Earth. By Stefan Geens in Stockholm.

Albums and Artwork Now Available!

We now have album artwork available at the Wild Sanctuary WildStore! Full-length nature albums are available as MP3 downloads. Also don't forget the podcasts available through iTunes by clicking here.

We're on the RADAR Now!

Tim O'Reilly of O'Reilly Media, Inc of Sebastapol, CA. Posted a nice piece about the work of Bernie Krause and a response to the NYTimes article from this last Sunday. You Can read more about it at his O'Reilly Radar Blog
Tim O'Reilly is the founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, Inc, thought by many to be the best computer book publisher in the world. O'Reilly also publishes online through the O'Reilly Network and hosts conferences on technology topics. Tim is an activist for open source and open standards, and an opponent of software patents and other incursions of new intellectual property laws into the public domain. Tim's long term vision for his company is to help change the world by capturing and transmitting the knowledge of innovators. For everything Tim, see tim.oreilly.com

Wild Sanctuary Press Watch

Ari Marcus of Rivet Magazine gave Wild Sanctuary a nice response to our recent article in this week's New York Times Magazine in their blog. Stop by and read the post and his reminder that we all need to get out and experience the natural world.

Also check out the great work being done by Rivet Magazine.


Thanks for the great mention by Non-Human Communications. Their Mission is to enhance communications and deepen understanding among humans and sentient non-human species, with the goal of positively motivating all beings to cherish and defend the planet, Mother Earth, closest thing to Heaven we've got.

Also thanks to Gareth for his mention in his blog, Another Chance to See.
In the late 1980s, Douglas Adams, creator of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", and broadcaster and zoologist Mark Carwardine travelled around the world, visiting endangered animals, hoping it would not be their "Last Chance To See". A BBC radio series and very funny book followed, and this website brings the stories of these animals into the 21st century... Thanks Gareth! (Douglas sadly passed away in 2001)

Bernie to present at Where 2.0

No, it's not a bowling ball! It's planet Earth!
If you've ever wondered where in the world 'that sound' is coming from inside your computer, here is your chance to find out! The intrepid Bernie Krause will be speaking at the 3rd annual O-Reily WHERE 2.0 CONFERENCE, May 29-30, 2007, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA. Come hear him address 'The Value of Soundscape in Location Mapping Technology' and put some 'green' into your scene! It's going to be the biggest buzzzzzzz in town - right down to the bees.......we promise! Photo courtesy of NASA/NSSDC.

Sing out, Louise!

As the old jazz standard sings, 'Spring can really hang you up the most'! Around here, it's the most exciting time of our year. It seems to happen all at once... as voices rapidly reawaken outdoors, and the caws, creaks, squawks, chirps, and other creature calls begin to color the soundscape with their vital chorus. Just to be able to observe that...and once again be able to HEAR the overture of Springtime - is something quite special. So, without headphones, cell phones, music players, recorders, or other distractions of the day, we always set aside some time to just simply LISTEN . . . and attend to the quickening voice of the natural world, as it warms up it's increasingly rare, and lovely, song. Photo: NPS.

Ready to relax?

IS SLEEP THE NEW SPA SENSATION? We suggest falling asleep to the soundscapes of restful wild places. Pick the right title, and it's like 'sleeping out' in the moonlight on a sweet summer night. Stanford Research Center suggests that 'healthy sleep has been empirically proven to be the single most important determinant in predicting longevity, more influential than diet, exercise or heredity.' So, get your slumber going!...download a snooze-friendly album from The WildStore, today. To relax anytime or for extra-happy napping, we suggest 'Midsummer Nights', 'Green Meadow Stream', or 'Ocean Dreams'.

The WildStore is Open

In The WildStore you'll find great soundcapes - including albums to download, audio books, wild ringtones, free podcasts, and other natural soundscape items. Find out more about The Arctic Soundscape Project and our efforts on behalf of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other fragile places. Shop The WildStore, today! . . . and help support this vital work.

Caribou Calf

Photo: ©Martyn Stewart/Team Member/Arctic Soundscape Project

HELP SUPPORT THE WILD VOICES

While some Wild Sanctuary projects are commissioned, such as 'sound sculptures' for public spaces, specific baseline research studies, custom audio production, or consultations, our time in the field has led us to very directly - and personally - to realize how few remaining quiet places there are left in the world. Your support helps us continue Wild Sanctuary's outreach and research works -- vital, non-profit-based work on behalf of fragile habitats and the creatures who dwell in them.

THE SCIENCE being revealed from our work is a newly essential tool in biological and habitat preservation efforts. The natural soundscape can reveal important data: from the age, health, and creature density of a particular habitat, to comparitive studies regarding changes over time due to habitat degradation, climate change, species loss, and more, that provides quantifiable clues to its' sustainability for the 'long run'. Our sound-based research and data has become an important element in the environmental protection debate.

ABOUT NON-PROFIT RESEARCH, OUTREACH, and MORE
Locations where healthy, natural sound can be recorded (without the intrusion of human-induced noise), are increasingly rare. In fact, since its' inception in 1968, fully 40% of the soundscapes representated are from locations so radically altered that the natural biophonies can no longer be heard. Creatures that reside in these places, of course, are also affected by the loss of their aural niches and must relocate, find a new place within the damaged habitat where their voices are not masked, or perish.

WE CAN SPEAK! We are compelled to record these fragile wild places and help preserve their vanishing voice. Presentations regarding natural sound, wilderness recording, and current research projects are shared in a variety of ways to help connect people to the wild -- using new technology to foster environmental awareness and stimulate further soundscape understanding in the culture. INQUIRIES regarding public appearance, keynote speaking, guest teaching, and our on-goingutreach efforts are welcome. For availability and arrangements, please contact Kat: 707/996-6677.

EVNVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY
Additional outreach is constant, mostly at the community level, for all types, sizes, and styles of groups. From elementary school presentations to college-level guest teaching engagements, civic and church groups to corporate keynote speeches, our on-going efforts aim to communicate new reasons to value the environment, listen to its voice, and learn to be better, more engaged, stewards of the earth.

THE ARCTIC SOUNDSCAPE PROJECT and THE FILM PROJECT
Most recently, The Wild Sanctuary Team turned our attentions to the threatened soundscapes of The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with The Arctic Soundscape Project. The expedition's 'Phase I', to obtain a baseline study of the soundscape and conditions in the Refuge was completed this June, 2007. The data from this exploration is currently being analyzed.
THE FILM PROJECT
'Phase II' of the Arctic Soundscape Project features a documentary with location footage portraying the project. Directed by veteran documentary producer, Bob Hillman, with associate filmmaker, Laurence Campling, editing is currently underway. The Arctic Soundscape Film Project is in great need of your support for its completion! So, if you're interested in this film, please show your support and donate now. Follow-up 'Phase III' fieldwork is essential to begin comparative studies of any changing conditions. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: The Arctic Soundscape Project

NEW! THE ALASKA SOUNDSCAPE PROJECT
The Alaska Soundscape Project plans are currently underway. Scheduled for June, '07, this project will provide an initial recording survey of conditions including research into the baseline and intrusive noise conditions in specific habitat areas. We are seeking matching funds toward Wild Sanctuary's participation in the data acquisition and assessments.

Come Join Us!

Wild Sanctuary invites you to explore the wilds of the world.

Our work ranges from carefully observed and notated field
acquisition commissions and basesline studies to the creation
of novelty albums from our 'all-animal' digital orchestra and
in-school speaking engagements to deliver an environmental
message to the youngest listeners.

For more about our outreach efforts in conservation advocacy
and non-profit soundscape education (regarding wild soundscapes
and their relevance to the natural sciences and the arts),
please contact us.