Creating “Defining Moments” in Nature
Photo Courtesy of Chris Helzer, The Nature Conservancy
At BIG MUDDY Workshop, we are always on the hunt for ways to share the importance of nature in the everyday lives of others. We especially enjoyed reading this article recently shared by Chris Helzer, the Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska.
“There are lots of ways to get people to care about conservation, including (I hope!) deluging them with pretty photos of birds, flowers, and butterflies, accompanied by fascinating stories about the lives of those organisms. Sharing facts about the importance of nature to the everyday lives of humans is good too, including the ways in which healthy ecosystems provide clean air and water, as well as food and other vital resources we need. However, there’s no substitute for personal experience. A ‘defining moment’ that evokes joy, wonder, and pleasure when it’s remembered later might be the most powerful way there is to create a conservation advocate.”
