A Holiday Pledge
© Shaun Barnett, Hedgehog House, Minden Pictures
The holidays have once again managed to sneak up on me. I honestly do not know why I cannot ever seem to realize that only 6 weeks after guiding season is over, mainstream society expects me to be standing in a line up purchasing items for friends and family.
Perhaps it is because I am still daydreaming about days on the river, and wishing I had just one more day to practice that new cast I learned. Or, maybe it is because I am childishly refusing to believe fall is over, and winter has come. Regardless of what it is, one of these years I vow to actually remember the holidays are approaching, let alone be organized enough to send out greeting cards.
© Maurizio Biancarelli 2008, www.wild-wonders.com
The spirit of the holidays is supposed to be about giving and not receiving, and if we all had our innermost wishes granted, there would be world peace, starving children would never have to wonder where their next meal would come from, the environment would not be suffering so much due to human consumption, and all animals would have more than enough room to roam free without feeling encroached by man.
© Art Wolfe, www.ArtWolfe.com
On that note I have made a pledge that I am going to support the environment instead of contributing to the masses of holiday shoppers this season. In lieu of gifts to all of my family and friends, I am making a donation to an environmental cause. I am sure some of my friends and family will be disappointed that they did not receive that cute little espresso maker they had their eye on, but I am sure they will understand once I explain to them that humans will need two earths by 2050 if present trends in natural resource consumption continue.
© Carr Clifton, Minden Pictures
Whether you are passionate about coastal, marine or freshwater ecosystems, grasslands, wetlands or forests, climate and atmosphere, energy and resources, biodiversity, human health or agriculture, please help by donating or becoming a steward. Every little bit helps, it really does. You may be surprised how much gratification you receive from this one gift.
There are many quality organizations to participate in, some of which are…
WWF
Sierra Club
The Nature Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy
Conservation International
Wildlife Conservation Society
EarthTrends Environmental Information
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8 Responses to “A Holiday Pledge”
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Way to go, Hannah!
I’d like to also encourage everyone out there to also look into helping out your local grassroots environmental causes and organizations. Often your dollars are more crucial and appreciated locally than they are with the big players, who often have celebrity spokespeople and multimillion dollar donors. And if cash is in short supply this year, there’s no present like your time.
Awesome sentiment and application of environmental ethic. May we all consume a little less, and revere a little more; not just during this season of light in darkness, but always.
Hey guys, i am so glad you posted back! Whew, i was getting a little worried as i thought i had put a downer on the holidays. Glad to know i didn’t, well…at least for you two!
@ KJ – I totally agree. Grassroots organizations are key in communities and often are a much better choice than large, corporate operations. Not only do they often allocate finances in a more ‘fair’ way, you are encouraged to participate in whatever means you can, so if you cannot financially, then dedicating your time and services is often just as helpful and appreciated.
However, many of us do not know about our local organizations, and do not know where to go to attain that info. Do you have any suggestions as to where people can go to attain that info?
@ fishergrrl – Thanks girl! I could not agree with you more. You know, to me, it’s always the little things that count. The older i get, the more i hold that wisdom dear. Picking up trash, turning off the lights, helping a fellow human, sharing some food, choosing to catch and release…it’s all for the better cause. Any little bit we can do helps massively, whether we see immediate gratification or not.
Happy holidays everyone.
Not a downer at all, a shining star!
With each New Year coming, I think it’s always good to take stock, to regroup and examine.
Along with holiday gifts to help always-strapped finances on many different levels, in many different directions, the gift of time is another possibility, one many grassroots organizations need – if not right now, then in the coming year, Here, in Maine, our state biologists, among others, need volunteers to lend a hand with the restoration of endanger Atlantic salmon. Resolved for 2010.
Kat
Kat,
Thanks for the great feedback and info.
I would love to post about the restoration of Atlantic’s, so if at any time you would like to email in some info, photos, etc., i will work on making a posting about it. I would like to start focusing more on other fisheries and areas, not just the Pacific Northwest.
Thanks for all the hard work you do, it is noticed and appreciated.
Great read! I agree, not a downer, a very well put in the heart of conservation. A side note, It is interesting that you put up Art Wolfe’s work, I love his work,I always see his appreciation of mother nature in his works.
Looks like a big push in February, injecting nearly a million eggs through the ice into the gravel substrate to make artificial redds. I’ll keep you posted!
Kat
Yes, please do. I am curious to know more…