Becoming a Steward of the Environment
We’ve all seen news circulating about environmental devastation. From wildfires and floods to hurricanes and coastal erosion. With everything that’s going on, it’s natural to feel fear or anxiety, but there’s a silver lining as well; new plants are growing in areas damaged by fires, coastal adaptation strategies are being put into place, we are adapting to this changing world.
We’ve reached a point where climate change can’t be stopped, but we can learn to live with it and take inspiration from the natural world which is always adapting. New ecosystems are already forming through the ashes of the Nova Scotia wildfires, as seen in CBC.
(Source: Shane Hennessey/CBC, 2023)
Whether it’s the succession of plant life beginning to appear along the burnt stretches of land left by our forest fires, the millennia’s old horsetails growing from a newly exposed seed bank on the edge of an eroding cliff, or trees growing up through pavement, searching for light, it is clear that the natural world will fill any void, damaged or not.
Regardless of what is thrown at her, the Earth still perseveres. Whether we’re here or not, life will find a way. New islands will form, new variations of species will emerge, even a new dominant species. So, if we want to be apart of that world, we need to follow Mother Nature’s lead. She’s got it figured out, we just need to work and live alongside her. That’s what Stewardship is all about! Connecting, learning, and living in a way that provides the best possible future for this generation and every generation to come.
So, What Can We Do?
So, what is there for us to do? How can we be good stewards of our environment when we are just individual people? Luckily, there are plenty of options for each person, regardless of location, ability, or financial situation.
1. Changing our Mindset
The first step to creating real change is to change the way that we think about things. By just having the knowledge that climate change is real and that we can make a difference, we’ve already opened our minds to seeing things in a different light, and interpreting changes in our environment in a different way.
2. Spread the Knowledge
One of the hardest parts about learning how to be a good steward of the environment is that the information hasn’t been made easily accessible to everyone, and it isn’t commonly talked about or encouraged. So share these ideas with your friends and family, have more talks about climate change and how we each want to make a difference. The more people involved, the easier it gets, so let’s make it common knowledge!
3. Spend Time in Your Natural Spaces
In order to gain an appreciation for and an understanding of the ecosystems around us, we need to see how they work. So, get your hands dirty in your garden, collect seeds, grow edible species, identify what’s growing in your space, or just observe and enjoy! See what nature gives to you and decide what to give back.
4. Support Local Individuals and Businesses
A great way to reduce fossil fuels and to make change in your local area is to support work being done locally! Show your support for your local businesses and buy from them when you can. A head of lettuce grown at the edge of town has a much smaller impact on the environment than a head of lettuce that has been shipped in from hundreds of kilometers away, and you’ll be putting money back into your local economy.
5. Sign Petitions
Take the time to sign petitions that you support and pass them on to others as well. We often forget that we have the power to join together and use our voices. We can work together to stop developments that will be damaging to a certain species or ecosystem. Local environmental groups often know of current petitions, but if that fails, just check online!
6. Attend Workshops and Educate Yourself
We can all help the environment in our own way, and sometimes we need some help getting there. Whether you want to know the science behind things, how to grow food, gardening organically, caring for your space properly, foraging, or even just want to learn more about topics in a broad sense, you can find classes and workshops for almost anything. See what’s available locally or look online if you need to. Sometimes we need someone with more experience giving us a nudge in the right direction. Find enjoyment in learning new things and even go with a friend or family member and learn together.
These are just a few of the ways that we can make a difference in our everyday lives in response to climate change. While it’s hard not to get weighed down by all the information circulating about what’s happening around the world today, just remember that if we all do our best, we can make a real difference.
Mentorship Program
Jumpstart your environmental stewardship with our mentorship program! Our mentorship program provides clients with one-on-one coaching, guidance and inspiration on how to achieve the natural space you desire and deserve. Contact office@helpingnatureheal.com for more information!
Site Visits
Helping Nature Heal also offers Site Visits which can also include drone services (at an additional cost). Additionally, for those who may need it, we also offer horizontal monitoring.
What’s included?
Our HNH Environmental Professionals conduct site visits to answer the following questions:
What is happening on your shoreline?
- We use aerial photography to give us the entire picture
- We look for naturally occurring features of topography, hydrology and erosion on your property
What information do we gather?
- Interviewing clients for historical and current information
- When was the property purchased
- Typical wind direction noticed during storms
Where are the challenge areas?
- Slope failures
- Toe exposure
- Overhanging crest
- Horizontal retreat
- Monoculture riparian zone
- Storm damages
After the information has been compiled and studied with the rest of our environmental team, we will send you a completed Shoreline & Upland Summary which outlines the issues identified on-site as well as our recommendations.
We will have a Zoom meeting to discuss project options according to your budget.
We will then send you a detailed project proposal which outlines the construction phase for our ecological restoration team, pricing and stages of the project will be outlined. After your review of our project proposal we will be happy to meet with you via Zoom to answer any questions or concerns you have and discuss what has been presented to you in the summary and the proposal.
Drone Services
Our drone service allows for a more reliable and accurate capture of the site by our certified pilot.
Monitoring Horizontal Retreat
When we implement a monitoring plan, we can keep track of the amount of land lost and the time it took to disappear. Collecting data at consistent time intervals and locations allows us to compare quantitative data of horizontal retreat and determine methods to extend the lifetime of the coastal property. This service can be done in conjunction with the initial site visit or as a standalone option, measuring only the horizontal retreat on your shoreline.
If you are interested in any of the services that we provide, please email Dawn or call our office at 902-543-7416 for a free quote to have one of our specialists perform a site visit and consultation.
Our team of environmental professionals will be happy to help!