Some people get the greatest sense that they’re helping to care for God’s creation when they roll up their sleeves and engage directly in hands-on restoration and conservation projects. These projects can especially engage youth. These projects can lead everyone to greater contact with the natural world, fellowship with other workers, and moments for reflection. To strike a balance between action and reflection in these times, consider having a time for prayer and reflection before and/or after your work.
Simple Things You Can Do
- Volunteer with a local restoration organization
- Organize a group from your community to participate in a restoration event
- Remove invasive plants and add native species in your own yard
Further Resources
American Rivers “American Rivers is the only national organization standing up for healthy rivers so our communities can thrive. Through national advocacy, innovative solutions and our growing network of strategic partners, we protect and promote our rivers as valuable assets that are vital to our health, safety and quality of life.”
Center for Environmental Law and Policy “CELP was founded in 1993 to serve as a voice for the public interest water resource management and preservation in Washington state. CELP is the only “water watchdog” advocacy organization dedicated solely to protecting Washington’s rivers and streams.”
Citizens for a Healthy Bay An organization which promotes action to clean up the Puget Sound, leading restoration and protection projects as well as advocating and educating.
Earthjustice “Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth, and to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. We bring about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.”
Gifford Pinchot Task Force “The Gifford Pinchot Task Force seeks to preserve and restore the ecosystems and communities of southwestern Washington by promoting conservation of forest ecosystems and sustainable restoration-based employment. The Task Force is the local expert and primary educational resource on the region’s forest conservation, policy, and law. We engage interested citizens and policy makers through our canvass, hikes, and field events, presentations and press events, lobbying, and strategic coordination with local, regional, and national conservation organizations.”
National Audubon Society “Audubon’s mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.”
National Resources Defense Council “NRDC is the nation’s most effective environmental action group, combining the grassroots power of 1.2 million members and online activists with the courtroom clout and expertise of more than 350 lawyers, scientists and other professionals.” National Wildlife Federation “Inspiring Americans to protect wildlife for our children’s future.”
Save Our Wild Salmon “Save Our Wild Salmon is a nationwide coalition of conservation organizations, commercial and sport fishing associations, businesses, river groups, and taxpayer and clean energy advocates working collectively to restore healthy, sustainable wild salmon to the rivers, streams and oceans of the Pacific Salmon states. Our efforts are focused primarily on the Columbia and Snake River Basin, where more than 15 million wild salmon once returned each year.”
Sierra Club “The Sierra Club’s members and supporters are more than 1.3 million of your friends and neighbors. Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. The Club is America’s oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.”
The Lands Council “We preserve and revitalize Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through advocacy, education, effective action, and community engagement. We collaborate with a broad range of interested parties to seek smart and mutually respectful solutions to environment and health issues. We’re enriched by the beauty of nature. We’re energized by the recreational opportunities it affords. And we’re inspired to preserve its legacy for future generations.”
The Wilderness Society “To protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. [They] bring to bear our scientific expertise, analysis and bold advocacy at the highest levels to save, protect and restore America’s wilderness areas. [Their programs include] protecting the last great American wilderness area, the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, from oil and gas drilling; staving off logging and road building on 58 million acres of roadless lands; curbing the abuse of our lands by off-road vehicle users; protecting wild places within the lower 48 states from rampant oil development.”
Washington Native Plant Society “The Washington Native Plant Society is a forum for individuals who share a common interest in Washington’s unique and diverse plant life. For more than 30 years WNPS has been a great source for native plant information and action.”
Wildlands Network – Formerly The Wildlands Project The Wildlands Nework works to connect wilderness areas by protecting and restoring.
Worldwatch Institute “The Worldwatch Institute is an independent research organization known around the world for its accessible, fact-based analysis of critical global issues. Worldwatch research is the gold-standard for sustainability analysis for decision makers in government, civil society, business, and academia. Worldwatch experts meet frequently with government and private leaders to inform their decisions. The Institute leverages a global network of partner organizations and senior fellows that allows it to reach key decision makers. Our current geographic focus is on Brazil, China, India, Europe, and the United States—the areas of the world that are pivotal to addressing the world’s environmental and social problems.”