Leaving Your Footprint: Restoring and Renewing Your Backyard Garden and the Far Ends of the Earth

                                                                                                     Nancy Hannans

We all make our mark and leave a footprint on our planet.  Just as the earth sustains and nurtures us with whatever we need, we have the ongoing opportunity to give back, renew and replenish her every day. We are all charged with being Mother Nature’s stewards, working to preserve and grow our natural resources and our environment for future generations.  As an artist, I explore our intimate relationship with and responsibility to our planet, using symbols of birth, the cycles of life, nature and the cosmos. Creating a Certified Garden Habitat  is a wonderful way to leave your footprint right in your own backyard, whether you have a garden balcony or acres of land.  A program of the National Wildlife Federation, it is“a voice for wildlife, dedicated to protecting wildlife and habitat and inspiring the future generation of conservationists.” The program provides a wonderful opportunity for children and adults to learn about the importance of being nature’s stewards.  Jaime Matyas, Executive Director, explains “The outdoors is a wonderful teacher, offering kids so many important, good lessons, such as how to respect and care for nature, how to be resilient in the face of challenge and imperfection, and how to use your imagination to make your own fun”. 

There are many people and organizations dedicated to sustainability and many ways for us to become the earth’s stewards. 1% for the Planet is a growing global movement of more than 1,000 companies that donate 1% of their sales to a network of more than 3,000 environmental organizations worldwide, and is becoming one of the biggest funders of environmental work.  Melody Badgett, Senior Vice President, joined the team at 1% for the Planet because of her passion for the environment and a recognition of the importance of partnering with businesses to promote environmental change.  A key concept of the organization is that the sustainability of the natural environment is fundamental to the sustainability of business.  Everyone benefits.  Supporting businesses who are members of this organization is a great way for us to leave a lasting mark on our planet.

Leaving Your Footprint: Restoring and Renewing Your Backyard Garden and the Far Ends of the Earth.