Indulge in great food with West African roots, wine & meaningful conversation

Afternoon Edition at

10 May 2025

The Natural and Built Environment – Spaces for Dialogue

with

Dr. Jana Malin, Nature Photographer 
Dr. Kim Geraldine Mortega, Biology Scientist
Meike Ziegler, Artist, Architect & Creative Alchemist

Event Impressions

On Saturday, the ANSC hosted the first afternoon edition of our Supper Club, exploring tasty West African Food.

Surrounded by nature at Dom Wilka, we gathered with 20 community members to explore the topic of The Natural and Built Environment –  Spaces for Dialogue — a journey into the subtle wisdom and unspoken language of the environments we inhabit, including the animal world and the role of the arts in creating appealing living conditions.

With help of inspiring presentations by Dr. Jana Malin and Dr. Kim Mortega, we reflected on natural spaces around us and the hidden data and behavioral insights we can observe if we truly pay attention.

From Jana Malin, we learned that wolves are more than the image we have of them as predators—they are architects of ecosystems. As shown in Yellowstone National Park, wolves not only shape animal populations, but even influence the flow of rivers. As an indigenous wisdom tells us: “Wolves keep the forest healthy.”

Insights from wolves in a nutshell:

• Everyone matters in the pack—they care for each other deeply.
• They live in a relaxed mode, even amid danger.
• They regulate their energy, play to stay calm, and endure hardship with resilience.
• When they succeed hunting, they feed themselves, the pack, and then leave food behind—for others.

Humble, powerful lessons for us humans.

Kim Mortega encouraged us to explore nature within urban life. Through our senses and intentional creations, we can reconnect with the microcosms we often overlook—cherishing all forms of life with care, creativity and a sense of empathy, respect and conservation.

Meike Ziegler, who hosted us at Dom Wilka, referenced some of her projects often dealing with human connection and building bridges. Her Creatuals (or “creative rituals”) help us shift perspectives to open minds and deepen our understanding of ourselves as well as the people and world around us.

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in nearby Mühlenbeck for an afternoon exploring new spaces.