Earth Stewardship

I'm inspired to be an Earth Steward and:

• live aloha ʻāina, mālama ʻāina (to love and take care of the Earth).
• participate on the land (in community cleanups, land restoration, food growing, etc).
• slow down and explore permaculture and regenerative practices, and simple, harmonious, light-footprint ways of living.
• promote #LandBack, Indigenous sovereignty & self-determination, and honour Native/Indigenous wisdom and teachings.
• reclaim my own lineage's indigenous (circle culture, pagan) roots and teachings.
• participate in BIPOC, BLM, 2SLGTBQ, anti-racism, anti-white supremacy social action to promote more equity, diversity and freedom on Earth.
• return to the ways of the circle, and steward Mother Earth for the well-being of future generations.  

We can all increase awareness of our daily choices, and restore a more humble, respectful relationship with the Earth. Being an earth steward means increasing awareness of our daily choices and their impacts on the Earth, ourselves and other beings.  It invites us to live more simply with a lighter footprint, to take less and give back more to Mother Earth, and to support a more regenerative way of living that protects the well-being of future generations.

I also hold a vision beyond the current concept of land ownership – one where we restore Earth stewardship in community, the way all original peoples lived. How can we own something that is alive? And how are we considering the well-being of future generations based on an unsustainable ‘land ownership’ model?  Please join me in investing in more free, regenerative and balanced ways of living on Earth.

Here are some of my light footprint living intentions.  Please enjoy your own light footprint journey and where it leads you. 😊 

My journey has led me to also explore other ‘earth-friendly’ options like: off-grid and ecovillage living, Native/Indigenous teachings, alternative dwellings (like yurts, tiny houses, cob & straw bale houses), home/community gardens, permaculture design, organic biodynamic regenerative agriculture, volunteering on the land, community cleanups, and more.

1. My pledge to go plastic-free. #plasticfree
   This pledge is an evolving path that so far has led me to: eliminate single-use plastic bottle/cup and plastic bag use (instead I carry a stainless steel double-jacketed drinking bottle and reusable cloth bags), minimize packaging (seek out farmers & artisan markets and stores with no / minimal packaging and more earth-friendly options), and strive for “zero waste/recycle” (as a former environmental engineer, I understand how recycle streams are often just another waste stream, with big energy investments to recover materials). Please join me in pledging to go plastic free and help eliminate single-use plastics!
2. Eat a diet that is local, ideally 90%+ organic and vegetarian.
   I like to invest in earth-friendly, local, and regenerative agricultural practices, and support a ‘slow food’ movement (how we all ate originally : ). Eating food close to the source also just feels good! With the large human population burden, eating a mainly vegetarian or vegan diet is a lighter, more regenerative, healthy choice.
3. Pick up litter (3 -5+ pieces) whenever I’m outside.
   Picking up litter is an easy way to demonstrate earth stewardship and respect for Mother Earth. It also shifts our thinking away from “it’s someone else’s responsibility”. Our daily choices and actions demonstrate how we respect and take care of the Earth. Put simply, what we disrespect invites more disrespect. Simple actions are like ripples of change in the world! Please join me in picking up litter and joining organized cleanups and education efforts wherever you are.
4. Commute mainly by bicycle, walking, blading, or public transit.
   I don’t own a car (for many years) and am a carshare member (book a vehicle on occasion as needed). I’m inspired to be ‘off fossil fuels’ and choose more light footprint transportation options as much as possible. 
5. Reconnect with land in community and CREATE!  I’ve felt a strong call to go back to the land, and cultivate a more personal relationship with the Earth, especially in community.  This has led me to participate at an ecovillage, community garden, organic biodynamic farm, and connect with native/Indigenous communities wherever I am. I’ve also enjoyed simple personal practices like growing herbs on my window sill. Through all of these experiences I've learned and fostered a deeper love and understanding of Mother Earth. I feel we better protect and steward what we love and have a personal relationship with. The Earth truly is our Mother - we are a part of her and what we do to her, we do to ourselves. Let’s treat her with love and care, and create in regenerative ways together!  

All of my intentions improve my health and happiness, and help restore a deeper personal relationship with Mother Earth.

I invite you to write down 5 or so intentions for living more lightly on Earth (writing is a powerful tool to harness our intention). Then commit to living your intentions for the next 30 days, and afterwards simply continue your practice.   

With practice we begin to embody a lighter, simpler way of living, and release unhealthy ‘convenience’ consumer patterns. We begin to feel more empowered, with a holistic interconnected view of Mother Earth's well-being. Together we can create a wave of change, and cultivate a field of love and caring for Mother Earth every day. Trust this change will ripple out in good ways! 😊  

Change begins with our individual choices every day. Together we can make a difference and restore a more loving, respectful, healthy and regenerative relationship with Mother Earth and the circle of all life. Thank you for your caring.