"When we care for the Earth,

the Earth in turn will care and provide for us."

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"Umhlaba ophethwe kakuhle uyabaphilisa abantu."

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"Umhlaba ophethwe kahle uyabanakekela abantu nawo."

Sinegugu Zukulu,

Sustaining the Wild Coast, South Africa

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What is it?

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One definition of environmental stewardship is

“ … the actions taken by individuals, groups or networks of actors, to protect, care for, enhance resilience and well-being, and responsibly/sustainably/ethically use the Earth and its ecosystems”

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Many definitions of environmental stewardship focus on how environmental resources are used by people. However, while not named as such in many traditional ecological practices and knowledge systems, it is understood to be more aligned to the definition above.

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Why it is important

Wherever we live – we live on the Earth. We breathe its air. We drink its water. We consume its resources. We enjoy its beauty. Humanity needs nature to survive and thrive. The Earth, with its complex systems that enable life, does not need us. Therefore, however we might feel about nature, we must take care of the earth, so that it will be able to care and provide for us.

 

​In this relationship, we have a responsibility to act as stewards.

Stewards protect, nurture, restore and sustainably use the Earth’s resources and life.

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As nature journalers, we can ask ourselves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And will others who come after us, ask the same the same of us. So as part of our nature journal kits, we can always include packets to take out our own rubbish. These packets can also be used to pick up the rubbish that others leave behind. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We seek to be respectful in our relationships with people and the planet. We choose equitable, ethical and just approaches to living, to creating communities. 

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How can you practice stewardship? Come up with actions and attitudes for yourself, and with your local group.

• Think about it.

• Talk about it.

• Read about it in the Nature Journalers' Code of Conduct here.

• Practise it.