Talking about the Earth and what we can do to protect it can feel overwhelming. After all, it’s a big place. And it’s not always clear what we can do as individuals to make a real difference.
The United Nations (UN) has declared the next ten years the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, and the theme for this year’s Earth Day is Restore Our Earth. What does it mean to restore our Earth and its ecosystems? It sounds like a daunting task best left to experts, doesn’t it? Well, it might be simpler than you think.
According to the UN, ecosystem restoration is defined as “assisting in the recovery of ecosystems that have been degraded or destroyed, as well as conserving the ecosystems that are still intact.” Basically, it means protecting our forests, wetlands, grasslands, rivers, streams, and lakes, and putting back some of what we’ve already taken. This can mean replanting forests, riverbanks, and grasslands; protecting water quality by managing our wells and septic systems; or removing invasive species so that native plants and animals can thrive.
To make a global difference, we don’t need to leave our backyards. Our backyards are the Earth.
Understanding where to start might still seem a bit daunting. But that’s why we’re here. We can work together to better understand what your property needs to thrive and which actions you can take today to make a difference.
Let’s talk about what you can do to restore your property and our Earth. Attend our Earth Day lunch and learn for rural landowners to learn more or contact a stewardship coordinator to get started today.