Protecting nature for future generations: where does your heart lie?

My recent post on the power of nature to nurture and support mental clarity resonated with many of you.  Naturally I was delighted that you shared your own personal stories of the power of nature in your life.  These stories varied from bold decisions to leave city life to and making a life in a more rural setting, to university memories of an inspiring lecturer, to stories of nature shaping a whole life and career and many more. 

The topic is one that is very close to the heart of Julie Gelfand.  Julie responded immediately with her inimitable enthusiasm “This is the reason I spent most of my career working to protect nature (as CEO of Nature Canada and now on the Board of WWF Canada)!  My story was one of my first canoe trips in our wilderness and how I felt the stress literally leaving my face in waves of energy!  And this was all before the research was done!!” 

Julie has had an amazing career working in NGO, government, and corporate sectors and whilst she loved the research I shared, she challenged me to invite further thought and action on what we can each do to support international and regional and even local groups that are working to protect nature for the benefit of all.  It’s thanks to her for sharing her thoughts and resources that I hope I can now prompt you to question what you might do to protect nature, for the future, as we confront daily evidence of climate change impacting our planet and sustainability.

The recent sustainability leaders survey is an interesting read GlobeScan / SustainAbility Survey: 2022 Sustainability Leaders.  It recognises Corporate and NGO leaders in the sustainability space and highlights the urgency of the global sustainability challenges in rank order by the experts. It also explores the impact of the War in Ukraine on the sustainable development agenda.   As a South African whose first job was with the financial institution, Nedbank, I was delighted to see that they topped the African Corporate leaders list, recognising them for putting sustainability at the centre of their strategy.

If you are anything like me, I love to dive deep into research on a topic of interest, and I have become fascinated with the amazing work of people and organisations committed to this cause dear to my heart.  However, I also have to challenge my more introverted self to get into action which is exactly what I hope this post will do for you too. The question is perhaps one of asking yourself “where does my heart lie?” Allow this to lead you to contribute in a personally meaningful and manageable way.

By getting more familiar with the work of groups that are trying to protect nature in your community, region, or country, you can see there is room for everyone. There is work being done to make sure that there is nature available to everyone for their mental health and all the other benefits for themselves and future generations.  Think of WWF, Birdlife, Flora, and Fauna International, even Greenpeace at the international levels.  There are campaigns such as Nature Positive by 2030  and The Agenda 2030 . Three goals out of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (the SDGs) are specifically aimed at protecting nature on land, waters and at sea and this along with climate action of course, which is going to affect nature all over the world.

The World Wildlife Fund,  was named, yet again, as the leader in sustainability.   Birdlife International (a partnership of over 100 national bird and biodiversity conservation organisations around the world) offers many ways to become involved (for donations, membership and involvement at local level see https://www.birdlife.org/regions-and-partners/).  Another more research based organisation is Flora and Fauna International. I invite you each to look at the inspiring work of these NGOs and ask yourself where your heart lies? 

For those of you who are already actively contributing I would love to hear how you have personally, or in your organisations, chosen to get involved in sustainability initiatives. As you will know by now, sharing stories is one of my favourite things, especially on this topic. 

The message is there is room for everyone to get involved and contribute.

If this has inspired you, please share it.