#artivist — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #artivist, aggregated by home.social.
-
Night Moves on the Tallgrass Prairie: The Intimate Bond of the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid and the Sphinx Moth
Photo by Hiu1ebfu Hou00e0ng on Pexels.comWhether you live right next to a remnant prairie or thousand miles away, you can take meaningful, hands-on action to protect these critical ecosystems and the wildlife that depend on them.
Here is how you can directly help:
Hands-On Volunteering (Be a “Steward”)
If you are anywhere near the Midwest or the Great Plains, regional organizations are constantly looking for volunteers. No prior experience is required, and they provide all the training
NATIVE SEED COLLECTING:
In the late summer and autumn, organizations like The Nature Conservancy (at sites like the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas or Nachusa Grasslands in Illinois) host community seed-harvesting days. Hand-collecting native seeds is the only way to get genetically resilient material to restore plowed agricultural fields back into native habitat.
JOINING A “WEED PULL” TEAM:
Invasive species like leafy spurge and sweet clover choke out delicate orchids. Groups like the Grassland Heritage Foundation (their “Groundhogs” team) or the North Branch Restoration Project in Illinois run regular weekend workdays to manually clear invasives.
THE FIRE CREW (ADVANCED):
If you want to get deeply involved, many local land trusts and non-profits offer training to help manage controlled, prescribed prairie burns in the spring and fall.
Practice “Homegrown Conservation”
You can transform your yard, apartment balcony, or local community garden into a sanctuary for wide-ranging prairie insects like the sphinx moth
PLANT NATIVE HOSTS:
Plant native wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), evening primrose, native sages, and native mints. These act as vital nurseries for sphinx moth caterpillars.
Opt for Light-Colored, Dusk-Blooming Florals:
Moths navigate by fragrance and moonlight. Pale pink or white native flowers that release their scent at twilight give adult moths the heavy dose of sugar fuel they need to fly long distances.
TURN DOWN THE LIGHTS:
Light pollution disorients and exhausts nocturnal pollinators, pulling them away from mating and pollen routes. Use motion sensors for outdoor security lights, flip off porch lights when not in use, or switch to warm-toned outdoor LED bulbs.
Become a Citizen Scientist:
You don’t need an ecology degree to contribute to real scientific research. Technology lets everyday people map the health of the prairie.
USE INATURALIST OR SEEK:
Download these free apps and document the plants, caterpillars, and moths you see in your area. Scientists use this exact crowdsourced data to track insect population declines, map shifting ranges due to climate change, and identify locations that need urgent legal protection.
PARTICIPATE IN MOTH WEEK:
Every July, global community science initiatives encourage people to document nocturnal biodiversity. Mapping where sphinx moths are thriving helps researchers understand where endangered plants like the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid have the best chance of survival.
Advocate for Land and Watershed:
Protection Prairies rely entirely on clean, undisturbed water tables and wide-open spaces.
SUPPORT FARM BILL CONSERVATION:
If you are in the US, advocate for and support policies that fund the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service). They provide crucial financial incentives to farmers and ranchers to leave low-lying wetlands and prairie potholes unplowed.
SUPPORT LOCAL LAND TRUSTS:
Vote for local and state measures that allocate funds to purchasing conservation easements—agreements that permanently protect private prairie land from being developed or turned into monoculture croplands.
Non-Profits Research Institutes & Ecological Businesses Dedicated to Protecting Restoring & Advocating for North American Prairie Ecosystems
National & Regional Non-Profits
- The Nature Conservancy: Manages the largest protected pieces of tallgrass prairie left on Earth, including the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Oklahoma and the Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge across Minnesota and Iowa.
- American Prairie: An ambitious conservation project working to connect millions of acres of Montana’s Great Plains into a seamless, massive wildlife reserve for biodiversity and native species like bison.
- The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: While focused on pollinators, their extensive grassland conservation work directly impacts prairie health by protecting the native insects (like the sphinx moth) required to keep native prairie flora alive.
- Grassland Heritage Foundation: A Kansas-based non-profit focused on preserving and restoring tallgrass prairie through environmental education, research funding, and direct land protection.
- Prairie Plains Resource Institute: Based in Nebraska, this institute has pioneered high-diversity, local-ecotype grassland management and restoration across its network of native prairie preserves since 1980.
- Prairie Rivers Network: The Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, focusing heavily on the intersection of river protection, wetland health, and prairie restoration to defend the landscape against industrial degradation.
Academic & Research Centers
- Tallgrass Prairie Center: Rooted at the University of Northern Iowa, this center empowers people to value and restore resilient tallgrass prairies by providing seed-provider infrastructure, researching restoration methods, and integrating native plantings onto farms and public roadsides.
Federal & Public Initiatives
- Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie: Managed by the USDA Forest Service in Illinois, this massive public infrastructure project partners with major environmental groups to monitor and recover rare, native prairie plants and wetlands.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): A branch of the USDA that provides science-based technical assistance and funding to help private landowners, farmers, and ranchers implement voluntary oak woodland and prairie restoration practices.
Ecological Restoration Businesses & Private Services
- Prairie Restorations, Inc.: A long-standing Minnesota-based business specializing in the design, installation, and management of native plant landscapes. They offer large-scale ecological restoration services to establish diverse, high-quality prairie plant communities.
Here are direct links to reputable non-profit organizations where your financial contributions directly fund prairie acquisition, land management and pollinator protection.
NATIONAL & REGIONAL LAND PROTECTION
Directly supports their mission to build the largest wildlife reserve in the continental United States by purchasing and stitching together millions of acres of Montana’s native grasslands.
INVERTEBRATE & POLLINATOR CONSERVATION
Donate to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation:
Directly funds habitat restoration kits, pesticide reduction campaigns, and defensive advocacy for the native insects—like the night-flying sphinx moth—that keep prairie flora alive.
WATERSHED & WATER QUALITY ADVOCACY
Donate to the Prairie Rivers Network:
Supports legal advocacy and grassroots organizing to protect the rivers, wetlands, and low-lying wet prairies from industrial and chemical degradation.
#abstractRealism #art #artist #artivist #conservation #ConservationArt #environment #expressionism #gardening #nativePlants #nature #OilPaint #painting -
Statement from #JacobJohns about the plea deal, saying:
"'This was a #HateCrime. This is a continuation of #colonial violence. Unfortunately, this criminal process is reflective of the systemic #WhiteSupremacy that Indigenous peoples face. The shooter motivated by hatred got 9.5 years, but will actually be in prison for half that time. Just imagine if I shot a person at a MAGA rally or a Christian prayer service I’d be put away for life. And all we were doing was having a peaceful sunrise ceremony – we went there to pray and our prayers were answered because the Oñate statue still does not stand.
"We live in a sick society where a man with a MAGA hat would come with a loaded gun and commit political and racial violence; though the police were on notice of that violence they weren’t there to protect us.
"The lifelong scars and injuries, loss of an internal organ, mental anguish and trauma will be with me forever – and in a couple of years Martinez will live free.
"I don’t want to end with the anger I feel inside. I want to express that Indigenous prayers and lifeways work. Pueblo people will always stand together and maintain a continuity of resistance to white supremacy and the destruction of the Earth."
#JuanDeOñate #RyanMartinez #Oñate #MAGA #MAGAViolence #IndigenousArtist #ClimateActivist #Artivist #IndigenousActivists #ClimateJustice #NativeAmericanActivists
#HateCrime #MAGATerrorism -
Boo hiss...! "The state agreed to dismiss a possible #HateCrime enhancement as a part of the plea deal."
#JohnJacobs #JuanDeOñate #RyanMartinez #Oñate #MAGA #MAGAViolence #IndigenousArtist #ClimateActivist #Artivist #IndigenousActivists #ClimateJustice #NativeAmericanActivists
#MAGATerrorism -
Man sentenced after pleading no contest to charges in #Oñate protest shooting [of #JacobJohns]
Jonathan Fjeld, Updated: October 8, 2024
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. — "A plea deal has been reached in the case of a man accused of a shooting last year at a protest over a Juan de Oñate statue.
"Ryan Martinez pleaded no contest Monday to aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. A judge subsequently sentenced him to 9.5 years, which includes a firearm enhancement. Martinez will serve a minimum of four years as a result of his plea to a serious violent offense.
"The state agreed to dismiss a possible hate crime enhancement as a part of the plea deal.
"The court scheduled jury selection to begin Monday for Martinez’s trial. Prosecutors accused him of shooting and wounding Jacob Johns at a protest last September in Española.
"One group was celebrating the postponement of the rededication of the Oñate statue. A smaller group stood by, arguing that officials were ignoring their culture and history. For the most part, they stayed separate, until one individual jumped a wall and ran toward the protesters.
"Video showed the Oñate protesters trying to tackle the man as he ran toward the group. The video showed protesters ripping off his 'Make America Great Again' hat as he jumped back over the wall. Then, the video showed that man firing one shot that hit a protester.
"Medics arrived about 10 minutes later and took the shooting victim to the hospital.
"Witnesses said the man drove away in a white Tesla. They identified him as 23-year-old Ryan Martinez. They also described him as a known online troll who often riled up crowds at protests. New Mexico State Police arrested him later that day and confirmed it was Martinez.
"A judge ruled to keep Martinez in jail until his trial."
#JuanDeOñate #RyanMartinez #Oñate #MAGA #MAGAViolence #IndigenousArtist #ClimateActivist #Artivist #IndigenousActivists #ClimateJustice #NativeAmericanActivists
#HateCrime #MAGATerrorism -
#NativeAmerican artist's new show includes painting of man accused of shooting him
By Nicholas Gilmore, Jul 9, 2024
"For #JacobJohns, painting a portrait of the man accused of trying to kill him was a sort of exercise in healing.
"The Spokane, Wash.-based artist and activist on Tuesday afternoon stood next to his own five-foot-tall painting of Ryan Martinez, who is accused of having shot Johns last September at a protest in Española.
"The plan, Johns said, is to turn the painting into a work of collaborative art by leaving markers next to the portrait and encouraging visitors to the exhibition to contribute to it."
#JuanDeOñate #RyanMartinez #Oñate #MAGA #MAGAViolence #IndigenousArtist #ClimateActivist #Artivist #IndigenousActivists #ClimateJustice #NativeAmericanActivists
#HateCrime #MAGATerrorism -
An update on #JacobJohns and the trial of his assailant...
Civil suit over #Oñate shooting settled out of court
By KOB
May 8, 2024ESPAÑOLA, N.M. – "It was a scary afternoon in Española last fall when a fight broke out between protesters and a counterprotester near the site of a proposed #JuanDeOñate statue.
"Video shows a shooter pulling out a gun and firing one shot before fleeing the scene.
"23-year-old Ryan Martinez is charged with that shooting. The victim, Jacob Johns, was taken to the hospital. He was there for more than a month and underwent multiple surgeries.
"'He lost his spleen, he is missing parts of his liver, his stomach, and his pancreas. So it was an incredibly serious wound that he received,' said John Day, attorney for Jacob Johns.
"Back in January, he sued Martinez and his family for assault, battery, personal injury and negligence.
"'The lawsuit itself explains that the parents were the ones who were aware, and under the claims of the civil lawsuit, were aware of the situation. Beyond that I can’t discuss more terms of it,' Day said.
"The lawsuit claimed Martinez’s parents knew he was 'obsessed with guns.' Reportedly, there was an incident where neighbors called the cops after seeing Martinez walk around heavily armed late at night.
"Back in 2018, Martinez was reportedly questioned by the FBI for making threatening posts online.
"This week, the civil case was settled. The terms of the settlement are confidential, but this isn’t the end of this case. The criminal trial of Martinez is only a few months away.
"'He is looking forward to having his day in court basically in this criminal case as the victim of this shooting. Jacob is really pleased that the elected DA is the one taking the case to trial. And it will be up to the DA to determine who she calls, but it would make sense for Jacob to testify because he was the one who got shot,' Day said.
"The criminal case is set to start in early July. Johns is listed as a witness, but it is unclear at this time if he will take the stand."
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/civil-suit-over-onate-shooting-settled-out-of-court/
#IndigenousNews #ClimateActivist #Artivist #IndigenousActivists #ClimateJustice #NativeAmericanActivists
#HateCrime #MAGATerrorism -
#JacobJohns still has a long ways to go (and more medical bills than expected). Please consider donating to his GoFundMe (link below).
Benefit art exhibition show organized to support local artist, activist shot last month
Jacob Johns, an indigenous artist from Spokane, is recovering after a shooting in New Mexico.Author: Shannon Moudy
Published: 6:48 PM PDT October 20, 2023"Johns is out of critical condition, Ferguson said. He and his son took a two-day drive to Albuquerque to see Johns in the hospital.
“Wasn’t until maybe three, four days ago they took the bullet out," he said.
"Though Johns is still battling infections and has had multiple surgeries. The bullet, which entered his torso and stopped in his back, hit multiple organs.
"Davis thinks of Johns as a man who never sits still for long, someone who take trips around the world and comes back to Spokane to dash together 50 paintings before his next trek."
GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jacob-johns-recover-from-terrorist-shooting#ClimateJustice #Artivist #ClimateActivist #MutualAid #GoFundMe #IndigenousActivists
-
#JacobJohns update - posted 10/9/2023 by fundraiser organizer Carlos Martinez
"UPDATE: Spoke with Jacob Johns family for the first time since the shooting.
"As today marks #IndigenousPeoplesDay, Jacob's family wanted to send a message to please continue to pray for him. As of this morning 10/09/2023, he awaits his health improving, so doctors can proceed with 3rd surgery since the shooting. They are asking everyone to please end the violence and hate towards all #IndigenousPeoples, not just today but everyday. It was his honor to stand as a peacekeeper for his #Tewa brothers and sisters and their children. They send thanks to everyone that got involved and saved his life. His family also wanted to thank everyone that has donated to help him on this long and tough recovery process, and asked for us all to bring logic to chaos.
"We were able to see Jacob via video and he is having fevers due to losing functionality of some organs, difficulty breathing due to wounds inflicted on his chest and lungs, and is facing an unknown amount of surgeries on his very long road to recovery. We ask that everyone please continue to keep him in your prayers, and media to be patient with requests as Jacob's care and safety is the first concern.
Thank you."As of today, 10/10/2023, the fundraiser is up to $245,888 ($250,000 goal). Thanks to everyone who has donated and shared this. Please keep Johns in your thoughts (and prayers). He has a long way to go...
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jacob-johns-recover-from-terrorist-shooting
#GoFundMe #IndigenousActivist #ClimateActivist #Artivist #ClimateJustice
-
A piece about #JacobJohns from a few years ago, along with an image of Johns with some of his art. Please donate to help medical expenses for this #Artist/#Activist (#Artivist) who was shot at a peaceful rally in New Mexico... (Link to the #GoFundMe at the bottom of the post)
Native Passion
Jacob Johns is an artist and activist who does a little of everything
By Carrie Scozzaro, November 03, 2016
"Jacob Johns has lived multiple lives, many of them wrung to the last drop of bitter and sweet, sometimes in equal measure. As an artist, musician, DJ and hairdresser, he's also an activist, passionate about #NativeAmerican issues and #environmental concerns.
"'I don't have to be confined to one thing,' says Johns, who is of the Hopi and Akimel O'odham nations.
"In addition to #SierraClub rallies and protests against #oil and #coal train traffic, Johns has made several supply runs to the #StandingRock #Sioux camp since September, where he joined #DakotaAccessPipeline protesters and was interviewed by #DemocracyNow's Amy Goodman, documenting his scuffle with guards who had unleashed dogs on the protesters. Amidst that ugliness, Johns still found beauty.
"'Being in that area was such solidarity, such clarity. Everyone was taking care of each other,' he says.
"[As an artist, Johns uses] spray paint, pencil, marker, acrylic and other two-dimensional media, Johns creates works that often combine facial portraits and sacred geometry with gestural expressions of color and graffiti-like stylings. He often donates his time, work or both, such as designing the logo for the recent One Heart Native Arts and Film Festival and participating in auctions benefiting such organizations as Spokane's American Indian Community Center."
Source article: https://www.inlander.com/culture/native-passion-2939812
GoFundMe:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jacob-johns-recover-from-terrorist-shooting -
#postgrowth fellow @TurquoiseSound dances at the intersection of Human #Permaculture, Org Ecosystem Cultivation, #Technology, Embodied Leadership, & more! She's also a touring #speaker, musician, & cultural #artivist. Find her on Substack! https://substack.com/profile/32618132-turquoise-sound
#technology #artivist #permaculture #embodiedleadership #speaker #tour #music #musician #culture #AI #fellowship #web3 #solarpunk
-
@deborahrosereeves love the detail and texture. Thank you for sharing and inspiring #craftivism #artivist
-
Animal Rights Advocate and Artist Jo Frederiks
Jo Frederiks
Artist and Animal Rights Activist
Jo Frederiks is a passionate animal rights advocate, speaking through her art to create awareness and inspire change to a vegan way of life. She is a full-time practising artist, exposing the well-hidden plight of animals we enslave, exploit and needlessly use for food, clothing, entertainment and research. Working in varying mediums, Frederiks favours graphite and oil paint. She has previously studied at The Arts Academy in Brisbane, graduating with Honours.
She has had many solo, joint, and group exhibitions throughout the years, and her work is in private collections in numerous countries across the world. Her drawings are sensitive, exquisite and beautifully detailed, portraying the unique character of each individual being.
Frederiks grew up on a million-acre cattle station in central Queensland, Australia. It was this environment that not only nurtured her connection to nonhuman animals but highlighted their immense vulnerability at the hands of humankind.
Buy Jo’s artJo Frederiks @JoFrederiks is a passionate animal rights advocate and vegan #artivist from #Australia making provocative and haunting #art about animals endangered by meat #agriculture See more #art on my website #Boycott4Wildlife
#Agriculture #art #Artist #ArtistProfile #Artivism #artivist #Australia #conservation #CreativesForCoolCreatures #JoFrederiks #vegan #wildlifeActivism