Publisher’s Post: Cue the butterflies. 

I read a story several years ago, told by a local woman who was in her 90s at the time, her reminiscence of a childhood long past. She spoke of running through fields so abundant with butterflies that they would often land on her if she stood still enough, and so many pupae hanging from trees and plants that she could run her hand down a branch, scooping several into a basket to be taken home and used in soup. (This is not a recommendation.) 

When my kids were young, I often took them to the annual butterfly garden exhibit at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum. We were allowed to walk into the enclosure and sit on provided benches, to watch the hundreds of butterflies from various species cavort amongst the colorful flowers. And if we kept still enough (mostly only possible for two of us), some of the beautiful pollinators would even land on us. It was the only time I could relate to the woman’s nostalgic story of butterfly abundance. 

Until now. 

For the first time in its 10-year history my garden has attracted so many butterflies that neighbors are stopping to look and comment as they walk by. One of my kids says, “There is nothing that makes you feel more like a Disney princess than being surrounded by all these butterflies.” Another says, “It incites joy! And childlike wonder. And euphoria!” 

We have long known that there is a link between nature connection and feelings of well-being. But a 2022 study by the Butterfly Conservation and University of Derby—brought to my attention by friend and psychologist Cathy Linson—showed that tuning in to nature and counting butterflies for just 15 minutes can reduce anxiety by nearly 10%. Here’s the real takeaway, though: The connectedness that folks feel with nature directly correlates to their motivation to protect it. 

Each of our stories in this issue contains a link either to well-being or to nature, sometimes both. It shows in Lovewell’s creation of a “third space”, in Cedro Restaurant and Daylight & Moon’s focus on community through food, in Cork Dork’s determination to be a safe working environment, in the beautiful demonstration of nature in skin care and in the clear connection of nature and wellness for disadvantaged youths at Mesa. Nature is protective and restorative, allegorically demonstrating resilience and community. And importantly, it is a key aspect of good food production. So it deserves attention, and needs partners in preservation. This year, on my little slice of urban land, I settled deeply into my belief that a partnership with nature can be magical, I share how you can participate. 

Cue the butterflies. 

Happy eating, friends,

Tami