“Wild cat” 野猫 & Bird Songs

Hi, I’m Lisa. My grandmother nicknamed me Ye Mao—Wild Cat—because I was always roaming the nearby park in Shanghai, China - where I grew up in a tiny room within a converted French mansion. The park was my refuge, a place where I connected with nature and the people in my community.

As a child, I became known as the kid who knew everyone at the lake. I explored, played, “fished,” and somehow always knew when it was time to head home. Nature was where I felt free, curious, and grounded.

That spirit never left me. I started Bird Songs Urban Farm and Backyard Nursery to recreate that haven—a place where both kids and adults can connect with the earth, learn new skills, and find a sense of belonging.

Inspired by Maya Angelou’s words—“A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song”—I hope this space helps others discover and sing their own song.