#sustainability

Sep 9, 2020
3 min

Hiking + Backpacking 101 | Etiquette, Safety, and Leave No Trace

(The Windows - Arches National Park) It's no secret that I LOVE hiking and have found a new love in backpacking. Everyone should have intimate experiences out in nature. There is so much out there to learn about yourself and this beautiful world, but I know how apprehensive some people are to step into the unknown, especially alone. I truly believe there is great value in challenging yourself in uncomfortable situations and hiking alone can be really beneficial, but being

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We're A Small Piece of This Big World | Hiking in Our National Parks | Personal Post

melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
5 min

We're A Small Piece of This Big World | Hiking in Our National Parks | Personal Post

(Canyonlands - Island in the Sky District - Grand View Point Overlook) This past weekend I arrived back in WI after 10 days on the road to Utah with plenty of stops along the way. We explored 5 different national parks in Colorado and Utah and spent a few days near Boulder, CO. I'm thrilled to share a little glimpse into this amazing trip through photos today and will probably ramble a little too much about certain hikes and experiences along the way (bear with me!!). I als

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Paperless + Unplugged | A Struggle to Champion Sustainability and Limit Personal Screen Time

melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
3 min

Paperless + Unplugged | A Struggle to Champion Sustainability and Limit Personal Screen Time

Recently, we've been having issues with the wi-fi in my house...I was working on a scratchboard commission though, so it wasn't a big deal really. I had the reference photo saved on my flash drive, so I didn't need the internet to be productive - it was a quiet work time, however, because I couldn't get a connection for my Pandora station (minor disappointment)! After a few hours, though, I thought 'ok, that's enough" and went to reset the router in time to get my afternoon

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Scratchboard Reproduction Prints | A New Endeavor | Business Post

melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
2 min

Scratchboard Reproduction Prints | A New Endeavor | Business Post

This year will be the first time I am offering reproduction prints of my scratchboard work at art festivals! Once I decided to go full-time, I knew this project was one I wanted to tackle right away and have prints available at my first shows of the year. I'm excited to offer this option so more people can take my work home, as they are a more economical option to my large scratchboard pieces. While I was planning to get this project started, I knew I wanted to be as respon

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Conservation, Awareness, Advocacy | The Third Pillar | Business Post

melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
3 min

Conservation, Awareness, Advocacy | The Third Pillar | Business Post

Hey there! This quote speaks to me in big ways!! As an avid hiker, someone who yearns for the solace of nature, a wildlife artist, sustainability junkie, supporter of renewable energies, and animal lover, it is important to me that I respect the natural order of Earth and try to limit the impact of my human footprint. Something so important in my personal life has, naturally, spilled over into my business life. So the reason we're here today - the third pillar of Melissa H

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Mountain Gorilla | Endangered Species Series

melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
2 min

Mountain Gorilla | Endangered Species Series

Mountain Gorilla | Gorilla beringei beringei Quick Facts: Status: Critically Endangered Height: 4 to 5 ½ ft Weight: Up to 440lbs Habitat: forests, mountain Diet: vegetarian Population: 880 Mountain gorillas live in forests high in the mountains, half of the population live in the forests of the Virunga Mountains, of Central Africa at elevations of 8,000 to 13,000 feet where temperatures drop to dangerous levels, often below freezing. They have thicker fur than other gorillas

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melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
1 min

Mandrill | Endangered Species Series

Mandrill (Mandrill sphinx) Quick Facts: Status: Threatened Height: 3 ft Weight: 77 lbs Lifespan: 20 years Habitat: Rain forests Diet: Omnivore - fruits, roots, and animals The mandrill is the largest and most colorful of all monkeys. Their easily identifiable red and blue faces, as well as colorful back sides become brighter when they get excited. They have long canine teeth that can be used for self-defense but baring them is typically a friendly gesture within their group

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melissahelene

Sep 9, 2020
3 min

Green, Clean, + Sustainable | Homemade Cleaners

Let's Not Let It Be A Fad It's no secret that 'Going Green' is a popular advertising + marketing slogan being used by every different product that you can think of right now. The 'Green Revolution' is a fad, there's no denying that. I hope, however, that the core principles guiding this current cultural movement are not lost on us when the 'glamour' of being 'green' - a green company, a green consumer, a green advocate - is overshadowed by the next 'big thing'; the core pri

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MH