New badge/pin design, baby! 😁

Travel back [...] a few hundred years to before the industrial revolution, and the wildlife of Britain and Ireland looks very different indeed. 

Take orcas: while there are now less than ten left in Britain’s only permanent (and non-breeding) resident population, around 250 years ago the English [...] naturalist John Wallis gave this extraordinary account of a mass stranding of orcas on the north Northumberland coast [...]. If this record is reliable, then more orcas were stranded on this beach south of the Farne Islands on one day in 1734 than are probably ever present in British and Irish waters today. [...]

Other careful naturalists from this period observed orcas around the coasts of Cornwall, Norfolk and Suffolk. I have spent the last five years tracking down more than 10,000 records of wildlife recorded between 1529 and 1772 by naturalists, travellers, historians and antiquarians throughout Britain and Ireland, in order to reevaluate the prevalence and habits of more than 150 species [...].

In the early modern period, wolves, beavers and probably some lynxes still survived in regions of Scotland and Ireland. By this point, wolves in particular seem to have become re-imagined as monsters [...].

Elsewhere in Scotland, the now globally extinct great auk could still be found on islands in the Outer Hebrides. Looking a bit like a penguin but most closely related to the razorbill, the great auk’s vulnerability is highlighted by writer Martin Martin while mapping St Kilda in 1697 [...].

[A]nd pine martens and “Scottish” wildcats were also found in England and Wales. Fishers caught burbot and sturgeon in both rivers and at sea, [...] as well as now-scarce fishes such as the angelshark, halibut and common skate. Threatened molluscs like the freshwater pearl mussel and oyster were also far more widespread. [...]

Predators such as wolves that interfered with human happiness were ruthlessly hunted. Authors such as Robert Sibbald, in his natural history of Scotland (1684), are aware and indeed pleased that several species of wolf have gone extinct:

There must be a divine kindness directed towards our homeland, because most of our animals have a use for human life. We also lack those wild and savage ones of other regions. Wolves were common once upon a time, and even bears are spoken of among the Scottish, but time extinguished the genera and they are extirpated from the island.

The wolf was of no use for food and medicine and did no service for humans, so its extinction could be celebrated as an achievement towards the creation of a more civilised world. Around 30 natural history sources written between the 16th and 18th centuries remark on the absence of the wolf from England, Wales and much of Scotland. [...]

In Pococke’s 1760 Tour of Scotland, he describes being told about a wild species of cat – which seems, incredibly, to be a lynx – still living in the old county of Kirkcudbrightshire in the south-west of Scotland. Much of Pococke’s description of this cat is tied up with its persecution, apparently including an extra cost that the fox-hunter charges for killing lynxes:

They have also a wild cat three times as big as the common cat. [...] It is said they will attack a man who would attempt to take their young one [...]. The country pays about £20 a year to a person who is obliged to come and destroy the foxes when they send to him. [...]

The capercaillie is another example of a species whose decline was correctly recognised by early modern writers. Today, this large turkey-like bird [...] is found only rarely in the north of Scotland, but 250–500 years ago it was recorded in the west of Ireland as well as a swathe of Scotland north of the central belt. [...] Charles Smith, the prolific Dublin-based author who had theorised about the decline of herring on the coast of County Down, also recorded the capercaillie in County Cork in the south of Ireland, but noted: This bird is not found in England and now rarely in Ireland, since our woods have been destroyed. [...] Despite being protected by law in Scotland from 1621 and in Ireland 90 years later, the capercaillie went extinct in both countries in the 18th century [...].

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Earthship Dreams: The Future of Sustainable Living 🌿🏠

Imagine waking up in a home that breathes with the earth. This incredible Earthship-inspired sanctuary is the ultimate goal for anyone craving a radical, off-grid lifestyle. By combining recycled materials like stacked tires with a stunning glass-domed greenhouse, this design doesn't just look like a work of art—it functions as a self-sustaining ecosystem. You've got your own year-round indoor garden, solar power potential, and that cozy, earth-sheltered vibe that keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s giving "solarpunk meets cottagecore," and we are absolutely obsessed with this eco-conscious architecture. Why settle for a cookie-cutter house when you could live in a masterpiece of sustainability? 🌎✨

Built for the April 2025 Build-n-Share challenge, this no CC Sims 4 lot is designed as a peaceful public garden with a soft romantic vibe and plenty of secrets tucked between the flowers.

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India stands at a crossroads. On one side, it is a global hub of startups, technology, and innovation. On the other, millions of people still struggle with poverty, rural unemployment, and environmental decline. The divide between growth and grassroots realities is stark. But within this gap lies an opportunity for transformation.

This is where the role of a social entrepreneur in India becomes vital. Unlike traditional entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs combine business innovation with a deep sense of purpose. Their success is measured not only in profit but in lives touched, communities uplifted, and traditions preserved.

Among these changemakers is Denny Amrithagiri, a visionary who shows how purpose-driven leadership can transform both local communities and global conversations.

The Human Face of Social Entrepreneurship

Picture a child in a rural village with no access to quality education. Imagine a farmer whose land suffers due to unsustainable practices. Think of cultural traditions fading in the rush of modernization. These are not distant stories-they are everyday realities for millions of Indians.

For decades, governments and charities have tried to address these issues, but systemic challenges remain. A social entrepreneur in India works differently: they innovate, adapt quickly, and lead from the ground up.

This is why Denny Amrithagiri’s work matters. His initiatives respond to people’s needs while protecting the environment and nurturing culture. His story proves that when business and compassion work together, real change happens.

Who is Denny Amrithagiri?

Denny’s mission is guided by the ancient Indian wisdom of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-The world is one family.” His ventures reflect this philosophy:

Amrithagiri Eco Life - Promoting sustainability and eco-friendly living.

Amrithagiri Himalaya - Preserving culture and offering educational experiences.

Integral Books Publications - Sharing Indian spirituality and philosophy globally.

Satkarma Foundation - Advancing humanitarian work and global harmony.

Denny’s World - A platform for inspiration and purposeful connection.

Each project reflects a single mission: to build a conscious society where humanity, ecology, and culture coexist.

Challenges and Resilience

Every social entrepreneur in India faces challenges. Funding is limited, bureaucracy slows progress, and traditional systems often resist change. Yet, instead of being discouraged, Denny has used these obstacles to refine his mission. His persistence highlights what sets social entrepreneurs apart: a purpose greater than personal gain.

Why His Work Matters Today

In 2025, Denny’s vision is more relevant than ever:

Education & Empowerment - Initiatives like Gramasambark bring learning and dignity to rural communities.

Ecological Sustainability - Amrithagiri Eco Life teaches individuals how simple lifestyle changes protect the planet.

Cultural Preservation - Integral Books and Amrithagiri Himalaya ensure Indian wisdom reaches future generations.

Global Harmony - Satkarma Foundation fosters compassion across borders.

Through these efforts, Denny proves that a social entrepreneur in India can create solutions that balance growth, sustainability, and humanity.

Inspiring a Purpose-Driven Future

Denny’s journey resonates because it combines authenticity with aspiration. His work is rooted in lived experiences, yet it inspires people to dream bigger. He shows that true progress comes not from accumulation but from contribution.

As India navigates its future, leaders like Denny remind us that technology and economics alone cannot shape a just society. It is compassion, sustainability, and cultural pride that will define India’s next chapter.

The story of Denny Amrithagiri is not just to be admired- is a call to action. You don’t need to be a full-time social entrepreneur to contribute. Start small:

Adopt eco-friendly habits.

Support local cultural initiatives.

Share stories that inspire positive change.

Learn more and explore his vision at dennyamrithagiri.com.

Because when one person’s vision inspires thousands, and thousands unite in purpose, transformation becomes unstoppable.

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Just posted something practical in my Visual Library - 5 ways to use Eco Living Illustrations in your projects.

If you create eco presentations, websites, blogs, social media graphics, or educational materials, this may give you a few beautiful ideas