PROJECTS

Birds of the Navesink is the inaugural project in a series of collaborations between Kate and Michael-Paul where they feature the well loved and lesser-known birds of their Red Bank to Sandy Hook ecosystems.

Through playful printed and published illustrations that share the vibrant characteristics of our avian neighbors, M-P and Kate look to broaden the Two-River Region's awareness and joy in observing these creatures.

Keep an eye peeled for the first sightings of the project in summer 2016.

EDUCATION

Naturehood Watch also provides workshops to your school or community group/club that focus on discovering the ecosystem in your school or community’s backyard. We discuss observation, care and preservation of your local ecosystem, and bring art and creative projects to your group that support learning and sharing your discoveries.

COLORING BOOK

COMING SOON. Lo-fi, big opportunity. Carry the field guide sized coloring book with you on hikes, walks around town, or just sitting on your porch.  The book features backyard favorites and the hidden gems of our rivers, bay, littoral zone, and ocean.

Bird is the word

ABOUT

VISION

Naturehood Watch is art as community conversation. We are creating work that can live in civic space and provide a connection to the environment around us. Naturehood Watch seeks to create beautiful, educational, and fun interpretive signage and engaging opportunities that involve people along their everyday paths and not-so-everyday detours. 

THE ARTISTS

Michael-Paul Raspanti envisions a community where the main street includes more people on bikes, community outdoor education, and open lots overflowing with vegetables and fruits. M-P can be found in his garden, in a kayak on the Navesink, or running with the family dog Izzy. He’s also a rad dad, artist and natural playscape designer.

Kate Okeson imagines her downtown as a place where you meet up with neighbors to trade garden secrets, books and compare notes on recipes.  She imagines any open storefronts being filled with children’s artwork. She can be seen in her natural habitat – front yard farming, playing cards games with her son, or talking to her chickens (yes, they talk back). She is also an artist and art educator.