About
It's my quail neighbors, keeping themselves busy in the empty lot next door. They make me smile, reminding me that even when I feel disconnected, I'm not. That in fact, I'm connected to the biggest, most beautiful living organism, one that's made up of innumerable moving parts: our planet.
I just forget every morning when I wake up and every day when my head hits the pillow. I often forget that each living thing contributes to my existence, as I pluck sushi wrapped in plastic off the grocery store shelf in a hurry. I forget as I continue on with my busy day, typing away, hustling to the next thing.
But when I have a moment to reflect, to sit down to write, I remember that while not all species and their behaviors are fully understood by humans, it doesn’t mean they’re not important.
No matter how big or small, how visible or invisible, all species make an impact. And their role matters.
What makes our reality better or more significant in the end than that of the quail, deer, or bee? At a time when we're all threatened by extinction due to warming and changing ecosystems, it’s worth taking a steady look at our fellow humans and other animals who have been so often overlooked. In the end, we’ll all benefit from looking at the world from diverse angles and perspectives, including the quail perspective.
We’ll need to collaborate and co-create with creatures as small as zooplankton and algae, to those as large as moose, whales, and elephants. We’ve already seen brilliant innovation in the field of biomimicry, looking to nature for solutions to many problems, and it’s proven that we have much to learn and apply from the natural world.
Quail are no exception. Here in Central Oregon, they’re our literal stakeholders. They live just outside our doors, ever-present yet seldom seen, their distinct “chi-cah-go” and “pit-pit” calls drifting through our windows.
Traveling in tight-knit “coveys” (a term for a group of quail), they putter through the vacant lot next door, their tiny legs spinning beneath them as they go. When one member is afraid and feels the need to fly, the whole group takes to the sky. It’s all for one and one for all.
It looks back, calling for fellow quail who haven’t caught up yet. At least, I wonder if that’s what it’s doing. After a moment, a few more quail fly back into formation and they continue down their path.
Like all other living things, quail have so many things to teach us, but there is one lesson that feels so relevant to our current moment. Quail are communal, knowing that they’re stronger together, acting as one instead of as individuals. They prioritize community health, even fostering baby quail that aren’t their own, something we usually consider to be a human trait. As I observed from my window, they also watch out for the quail who are trailing behind, the ones who might be in trouble or need extra attention.
What would our world look like if we started acting more like quail, investing in the whole community knowing that we're stronger together, fostering community and each other? What if we cared less about ourselves all the time and more about the health of the whole human ecosystem? The planetary system?
But they deserve some praise: for their plumage, delightful calls, "covey" group mentality, quick feet, invasive bug control, and small footprint. And there are so many other species to admire here on earth (an estimated 8.7 million and counting according to National Geographic. But we chose quail because here in Central Oregon, they’re a daily reminder that we’re part of something so much bigger and that we have a responsibility to protect and love our wild neighbors as well as ourselves. They’re our reminder to think global and act local.
These millions of species are a part of what makes our work to learn from and imagine a better world so relevant, necessary, and urgent. They’re stakeholders in everything that we do. Our impact on them at this point in history is grossly uneven. But it’s uplifting to know that, no matter what role we as humans play in this effort, no matter how imperfect we are, our work and our unique roles matter. We need to show up.
As a small creative strategy and brand firm, we’re hopeful that (directly and indirectly) our work (and personal choices) can create positive impact. And we believe that because we’re all connected, the impact of our efforts will ripple outward. Together, through activism, creativity, stewardship, community engagement, and partnership, we can build a better world not just for ourselves but for future generations (and quail too).
These are concepts and practices that indigenous people and members of our planet have known for generations. We need to listen, learn, and spread ideas, crediting those who came before us and acknowledging our imperfections as we grow. We need to wake up and realize that we're not separate from nature: we are nature.
So thank you quail, for the inspiration and joy. Thank you for reconnecting us with the place we call home. Thank you for reminding us to pause and listen, and for calling us to pay more attention to our surroundings. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for tending our gardens.
And thank you for bringing wonder into those tiny beautiful moments of recognition: when we see each other, lock eyes, briefly wonder about each other, and take that wonder into the world with us.
We’re only just beginning to learn about our namesake, and we're humbled to associate ourselves with such important members of our high desert community. As Quail, Maggie and I will be putting in dedicated time and resources to learning about and protecting our neighboring quail. We have much to learn and are looking forward to sharing as we go.
So are we! We’ll be looking to local experts and reaching out for help in understanding more about them. There are so many resources out there, but here are a few that have been helpful:
