Tell the tardigrade messages: Share your actions for the planet
Sometimes called a moss piglet, or a water bear, these microscopic creatures live in mosses. They are one of the most resilient on the planet, they can even be found in space. We asked you to tell the tardigrade about the tiny actions that you’re taking to make a difference. The audio was incorporated into The Mossy Carpet, sharing encouragement and ideas as we face the climate and ecological emergency.
We created special ‘Tardigrade telephones’ to record messages at Art and Energy events and online.
Immerse yourself in mossy landscapes whilst listening to messages of moss-like actions for a better future!
Throughout the How to Bury the Giant project we've invited participants to record a message on the Tardigrade Telephone to share a small moss-like action they're taking for a brighter greener world.
During summer and autumn 2025 we took a 360 camera to Peat-Fest South-West peatland restroration sites, mossy woodlands and urban locations.
The team at The Market Hall mentored and encouraged us as we edited the footage for their amazing immersive dome. Last but not least we worked with the team at DbS Institute, commissioning new graduate Omar Taveras to create an immersive soundscape of messages to fit alongside the visuals.
This film may look a little odd - it was created to be projected in a huge 360 dome space. Imagine yourself relaxing back on a large beanbag, with the centre of the circle over your head and the mossy landscape around you... at times the horizon flips 180degrees to put the beautiful mosses directly above you. Listen on headphones... in the dome the voices came from all around you, giving inspiration and hope, encouraging collaboration and action.
A digital download pattern to sew your own Textile Tardigrade!
The pattern is printable on A4 paper and is accompanied by an instructional video made by Art and Energy.
You can download the pattern once payment has been made and you will also be emailed a link to our private webpage with the download and instructional video.
All you will need to go with the pattern is:
Scissors (paper & fabric)
Fabric (we used repurposed offcuts sourced from our local Scrapstore)
Marker pen
Sewing machine
Stuffing (we used the stuffing from damaged bedding)
Strong thread
Needle
Embroidery thread
Your tardigrade will measure approximately 37cm bottom to snout.
Textile Tardigrades
We developed a sewing pattern to create the tardigrades for our Tardigrade Telephones. They make lovely textile creature creations - fill with soft stuffing to make it cuddly, or sand to make a doorstop!
By purchasing a pattern to make your very own Textile Tardigrade you’ll also be supporting Art and Energy to run more workshops reaching more participants and sharing our love for moss and #BeMoreMoss actions.
Find out more about tardigrades
At an Art and Energy Zoom event we were very fortunate to be joined by tardigrade researcher Ellis Moloney who shared some fascinating insight into these extremely resilient microscopic creatures.
Watch to find out more.
Read our Tell the Tardigrade blogs - sharing tiny moss like actions for a brighter greener future to make our world a better place: