Back in July, I was invited to travel to Haida Gwaii, BC to participate in an artist residency organized by the good folks behind the On Root Project.  The purpose of this project is to expose various artists to the beauty of the old growth forests, to contrast that with the devastation of the clear cuts, and to create an artistic work from the experience as a result.

Interacting with the community through shared stories and song was a powerful and rewarding experience, and I left with a heightened understanding of what proper stewardship of the land means.  Unfortunately, clear cutting and overfishing are accelerating at unsustainable rates, and a pooled community effort is needed to protect and regulate the wellness of these vulnerable ecosystems.

I composed “Once You Know,” in support of the On Root Project’s mission to raise awareness, and to help create dialogue regarding positive solutions for the long term health of our forests and oceans.  Knowing is one thing, but knowledgable action is of most importance.

What can you do?  Download “Once You Know,” here, and share/post/re-post this link.  The song is available for free, and sharing widely with those you think would connect to this is encouraged.  If you feel compelled to financially support this initiative, any contributions/donations will be payed forward to the efforts of the On Root Project in their pursuit of strengthening land and ocean stewardship practices in Haida Gwaii and beyond.

“Once You Know,” is presently available on Bandcamp, and will be available on Spotify, iTunes, Google Play, and all other platforms very soon.