Palm Oil Victim, Psyllium Husk, Ecoacoustics

Wildlife, ecosystems, language, nutrition, sustainable living, and personal recommendations

Happy Wednesday my friend,

Today we’re talking about a creature with a fantastical face, the impressive adaptation of Amazon’s flooded forests, and how ecoacoustics can be medicine for the mind, body, and spirit. But first, if you didn’t sign the petition to BAN ATRAZINE, please take 30 seconds to add your support 🙏 (already banned in 60 other countries).

To access Deep Dive articles every Wednesday, new videos every Friday, and so much more, upgrade to the ECL Membership.

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Wednesday Wisdom

July 23rd, 2025
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🐿️ CREATURE FEATURE 🐿️

The Proboscis Monkey

Meet the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus), an unforgettable primate native to Borneo’s mangrove forests and riverbanks. Known for their comically large noses—especially in males, whose bulbous proboscis can grow over four inches—these monkeys use their unusual appendage to amplify calls and impress both rivals and potential mates. With potbellied frames and partially webbed feet, proboscis monkeys are strong swimmers, often leaping into rivers to escape predators or travel between foraging spots.

Proboscis monkeys live in tight-knit groups led by a dominant male, several females, and their young. Their reddish-brown coats, creamy underbellies, and striking gray limbs and tails combine for a truly distinctive look, while infants sport blue faces that gradually turn gray as they mature. Leaf lovers at heart, they have complex stomachs full of specialized bacteria to digest tough, toxin-rich foliage that many other animals avoid.

Unfortunately, the proboscis monkey is endangered, facing steep declines due to habitat loss from deforestation, palm oil production, and hunting throughout Borneo. Their survival depends on protecting the mangroves and rainforests they call home—reminding us just how precious and vulnerable these whimsical tree-dwellers are.

🌱 The #1 Question From The Need To GROW… Answered!

If you watched The Need To GROW, you remember Michael Smith — the inventor, soil savior, and heart of the film.
Well, of the millions who’ve seen the film, the most common question we get is:

“Where can I get that soil amendment Michael uses?”

 Here it is — and it’s available right now.
Michael’s regenerative biostimulant is finally accessible to the public — made using the same principles and system featured in the film.

Even better, Michael is offering 10% off for Earth Conscious Life readers.
Just use code ECLTEN at checkout 👉 Try it here

And don’t just take our word for it. One reader recently wrote:

“Hello Rob. I just wanted to tell you the product is amazing. The dirt was hard and impossible to dig. I put it on and the next day OMG the ground was amazing. The soil was easy to rototill. It is a miracle. Thank you. I will be ordering more.”

⚠️ Note: Michael’s products do tend to sell out — so don’t wait.
If you’ve been looking for the real deal in soil regeneration, this is it.

👉 Grab it while it’s available and use ECLTEN to save 10%.

WORD OF THE WEEK

Thalassophile: A lover of the sea or ocean (Definitely describes my wife, Riana).

🌎 INTO THE…🌎

Into the Amazon Flooded Forests

Every year, the Amazon River swells with seasonal rains, transforming huge swaths of forest into a surreal, underwater world. These flooded forests—called várzea and igapó—blur the line between land and river as tree trunks stand submerged for months and fish swim among the branches. As water levels rise by up to 50 feet, nutrient-rich sediments are carried in, fueling some of the most productive and biodiverse habitats on the planet.

Life here is a story of adaptation. Giant fish like the arapaima and piranha move deep into the trees to feed on fruits and seeds, while jaguars prowl treetops and birds such as macaws shift to new territories as food sources evolve with the water’s ebb and flow. Plants, too, have evolved remarkable strategies—some trees synchronize fruiting with flood season, and many species only germinate once the waters recede.

These dynamic flooded forests are essential for carbon storage, water purification, and sustaining the rich web of life that shapes the Amazon. Yet they remain fragile, threatened by deforestation, dams, and climate change. Protecting this extraordinary ecosystem isn’t just about preserving breathtaking scenery—it’s about safeguarding one of nature’s most resilient and interconnected worlds.

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🍎 NUTRITION 101 🍎

PSYLLIUM HUSK: Psyllium husk is a natural, soluble fiber derived from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. When mixed with water, it forms a gel-like substance that can help relieve both constipation and diarrhea by normalizing bowel movements. Beyond digestive health, psyllium supports healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels, may promote fullness to aid weight management, and acts as a prebiotic to nourish beneficial gut bacteria. This gentle fiber supplement is easy to add to your diet, but always take it with plenty of fluids for best results and to avoid digestive discomfort.

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🔎 EARTH CONSCIOUS DEEP DIVE 🔍

(Preview, full article for ECL Members)

Therapeutic Soundscapes: Beyond Music Medicine

Some nights, before sleep, Riana and I will lie in silence—until it’s not silent anymore. A cricket’s call, the wind through the cottonwoods, or a distant owl breaks through. And we remember: the Earth is always making music.

As someone who began his journey writing songs about the planet – blending melody with message – I've long believed in the power of sound to move us. But in recent years, I’ve come to understand that some of the most healing sound isn’t found on any playlist. It’s found in the wild.

We’re beginning to realize that nature has its own medicine cabinet of sound. And unlike most interventions, this one asks nothing of us but to listen.

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