As the Creator of Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden I have many memories and experiences to share and explore but before doing so I am studying the difference between a Memoir and a Personal Essay and their various forms.
Thank you for visiting
Dear Friends, Life gets more wonderful. This may seem odd or weird but I want you to know that being happy was never a goal in life. I can say now at my advanced age that I know for the first time what happiness feels like.
Many of you who follow my work with parrots may not know that I have worked very hard my entire life as an environmental artist and activist. I have used many different mediums from painting on canvas, to Land Art and Performance Art. The theme of my work has always been to stop the degradation of planet Earth.
My new feeling of happiness has come about because of my journey with parrots which started 28 years ago. It began when the first parrot was abandoned in my Site-specific Art Project know as The Secret Garden. I opened my rainforest construct or visionary environment to the public on December 25,1993 to save it from development. I did not succeed in saving it but from then until now my life has become more meaningful with each passing day because of the unwanted parrots that my green space attracted. I cherish the many friends I have made because of the birds and I love my close connections to the national and international communities of parrot educators and caregivers.
As I learn and evolve the subject of parrots has became the central theme of my environmental message to the visiting public in Key West and online followers. For the past 28 years, seven days a week I have taught paying visitors about parrots by providing their stories. As an artist I perform Storytelling. Storytelling is the oldest art form known to man. Parrots as a topic are the perfect subject to draw a crowd because they are beautiful, because they are legendary with pirates, because they mimic human speech and actions to get attention and because they continue to surprise and enlighten me. The multitude of topics surrounding parrots brings together all the aspects of the what I want people to understand about the abuse of the planet, its inhabitants and in particular parrots. I do not offer tours, parrot shows or put parrots on people's shoulders for photo opportunities. I am serious about being an educational sanctuary that stops the abuse of these magnificent and highly intelligent animals. One of my favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou. "When you know better you do better" For the past 28 years, I have been a passionate student when it comes to all things relating to parrots both in the wild and in captivity.
Sharing my level of education and demonstrating training procedures makes a positive difference in my visitors lives and the lives of their animals. I am gratified by the public response to what I offer. People listen intently and interact. They ask questions and share experiences. I know without a doubt, I have inspired many people to take action and make positive changes in their lives and the lives of their parrots. Knowing that my Storytelling is useful to others is what makes me happy now. I am excited about the sanctuaries future as we emerge from the effects of Covid.
My audience may forget my insights. They may forget what I say and do but they will never forget how my stories of abandoned, exploited and abused parrots made them feel. Their empathy is important. Greater empathy leads to more helping behavior. Empathy is a vital first step toward compassionate action. Thank you for reading this. Nancy Forrester