Let’s set the scene. You settle into your slightly damp, rocking bench. The gentle waters carry you forward. The world outside fades away, the sounds of rain and storms begin, and the narrator’s soothing voice begins.
For some, it’s the highlight of a day at EPCOT. For others, it’s the ride they sit on begrudgingly to escape the relentless Florida heat or to appease others. Whichever camp you fall in (I’m the first, if you were wondering), Living with the Land is one of Walt Disney World’s most intricate, educational ride experiences offered to guests.
Have you ever stopped to think – really think – about what we can learn from Living with the Land and how we can apply it to our own lives? Beyond the facts about agricultural systems, or the rainforest, or the delightful greenhouse with all those delicious fruits? Beyond…Beyond the Seeds, if you will.
1. Research native plant and animal species in your own area.
Living with the Land touches on many different ecosystems – tropics, deserts, prairies – and notes how unique and special each is. Whether you live on a beach, in a city, or even on the aforementioned prairies, take a moment to admire your local ecosystems. Look at the wildflowers, try to identify birds, and notice the types of trees growing around you.
Living with the land isn’t about wishing we were somewhere else; it’s about appreciating our environment for the uniqueness it offers us.
2. Try your hand at gardening.
Even if you live in a city, as I do, you can still give this one a go with an herb garden or some indoor plants! To really embrace the spirit of Living with the Land, try choosing something that you’ll be able to eat. Not only is a fresh tomato or some fragrant basil delicious, but it tastes even better knowing you grew it with your own hands.
If you’re a really experienced home gardener, you can even try your hand at some of the growing techniques they use in the greenhouses! The USDA National Agricultural Library has resources for home gardeners on systems such as hydroponics. Why not check it out?
3. Embrace water conservation!
They talk about this constantly throughout the ride. They recycle water in their fish tanks, they find new ways to grow plants that take up less water – if there is one thing that Mike Brassell wants to impart upon you, it’s that conserving and recycling water is important.
If you turn off the tap while you’re brushing your teeth – great!
4. Take a walk and let yourself be inspired by nature.
If there is one thing Walt Disney was all about, it was letting inspiration come from even unlikely places. The scientists working in these greenhouses may have been inspired by the world around them to create the state-of-the-art agricultural setups and techniques, but even if that’s not your jam, you can still follow their lead.
Maybe you’ve got a home renovation project you’re trying to finish, or you love to paint. Maybe it’s something as simple as a project for your job that you have due. You’d be surprised how much inspiration can come from the world around you. Get out into nature and really notice the way the sun shines through the clouds, the way the leaves rustle in the wind, the texture of coarse tree bark against your fingertips. It might sound simple, but sometimes something as simple as the right snapshot of the environment around us is enough to inspire a big idea.
5. Learn a new scientific fact.
Living with the Land as we know and love it would not exist without the hard work of scientists all over the world learning about the earth and working hard to respect it, so follow their lead! Set out on a path to learn something new.
This doesn’t have to be intense. Take a suggestion from the ride and learn about the different medicines that come from the rainforest, or about some of the species living there. Follow your curiosity! If you learn about any endangered species, you might find ways to support them, such as donating or raising awareness.
There are so many exciting developments we’ve seen already in our world – many of which you can learn about right at EPCOT. The biggest lesson that we should take away from Living with the Land is how to make progress with our planet and conserve our natural resources. It’s important that we don’t jump so deep into progress that we neglect the beauty and safety of the world around us.
We might not all be scientists, but we can all find ways to take some of that love, appreciation, and excitement we feel as our boat comes to a gentle stop and we step back onto that carpeting, feeling determined to go out and embrace our natural environment with all the gusto and excitement that voiceover inspired in us.
When we can take that energy and turn it into action, only then will we truly be living with the land.
Do you enjoy Living With The Land?