The Ducks & Us Project

“The Ducks & Us”—an original song CD with discussion-reflection guide—focuses on wildlife safety and protection and compassionately juxtaposes the science of wildlife protection with the social-emotional nature of human engagement with wildlife.

The song artfully demonstrates—through stories gleaned from a year of researching duck "feeders" in urban parks—hearing, understanding and including human needs with non-human realities for a systems-thinking approach to environmental care and protection.

Project participants include the Northwest Boychoir, conducted by Ben Kromholtz, five professional performing artists and two girls cast as the song's characters. An initial session at KUOW studios, engineered by Guy Nelson, gave us polished choral tracks.

What we are seeking: Partnerships with teachers, activists and environmental education agencies interested in integrating this learning tool into their programs; Networking opportunities to connect sponsors with our partners; Strategic distribution ideas to distribute this learning tool locally, regionally and nationally; Sponsors to contribute funds to put this important tool into the hands of educators.

Did you know that the deceptively simple act of "feeding" the birds actually hurts the birds and their habitat? "The Ducks & Us" CD cover image

Project Benefits:

To encourage personal power and responsibility by reinforcing that what each one does in our own back yard affects us all and the "natural" environment deeply. To invite systems thinking by providing a tangible example of a food chain and social-emotional factors in environmental stewardship. To inspire fun, creativity and wonder through a song that invites us to learn, play, observe, engage, find meaning, be and transform our urban parks into safe havens for humans and wildlife.

“This is an interesting project that helps get the message out in a different way about why it's not OK to feed ducks and geese. Most people are not aware of the problems associated with this common activity occurring in many of our parks and other waterfowl use areas.” Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife “ ‘The Ducks and Us’ Learning Tool connects the arts, youth, and ecology in an innovative and exciting way to bring an important message about the devastating affects that ‘people’ food can have on our bird population. It would be great if this awesome song became a ‘standard’ song kids grow up singing like ‘I've Been Working on the Railroad.’ ” Heidi Narte, Senior Gardener SE District Seattle Parks and Recreation “This song reminds me of many songs I listened to and sang as a young child and the fact that I still remember those songs and have fond memories of singing them speaks to the power of singing as a learning tool for young children. I think that the questions are very appropriate and I especially like the attention to the belief systems and personal motivations that are informing each character's decision.” Liz Silvestrini, Education Coordinator Sustainable Seattle

An innovative program support concept:
ELA recognizes many outreach and education programs are resource constrained. ELA's support concept includes diligent work to connect sponsors with participating agencies, often making the learning tool available at no cost to outreach and education programs.

Where we are so far:
We've received word from Seattle Audubon that "The Ducks & Us" is approved to be integrated into two of their learning programs, the wetlands kit and "Birds of Seattle" kit.

"The Ducks & Us" was integrated as part of "Living In Place," an environmental learning and language arts curriculum at Roosevelt High School.

Emotion Literacy Advocates (ELA) is an arts-based, non-profit organization in Seattle, Washington, since 2001. ELA produces original learning tools that incorporate theatre, music, visual art and science to address cultural and environmental issues with social-emotional awareness. Our programs serve children and families through learning institutions, social service agencies and media outlets.

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