Forest Stewards Guild’s Post

I urge all those within my network to heed this urgent call: 1- To those championing climate change action by opting for trains over airplanes, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle to protect animals, and advocating against deforestation. 2- To those advocating for democracy, nurturing their children's critical thinking skills, autonomy, and civic responsibility. 3- To those vocal about human rights and equality, actively supporting women's, children's, and minorities' rights. 4- To those decrying oppression and inequality faced by people of color, confronting the shameful legacy of colonialism and its enduring repercussions. 5- To those advocating for peace and unity in society, rejecting division and strife. If you recognize yourself in any of the descriptions above, it's time for some serious reflection. Your actions—or lack thereof—have consequences. It's not enough to simply talk the talk; you need to walk the walk. Saving human lives and protecting animal welfare isn't just a nice idea—it's your responsibility. Demand real democracy from your government; don't stand by while they turn a blind eye to injustice. If you truly believe in human rights, then start acting like it—every life matters, regardless of who they are or where they come from. And if you're serious about peace, then you need to confront the uncomfortable truths behind conflict and push for real just change. It's time to step up, take accountability, and make a difference. If you resonate with this message, it's time to translate words into action. Join the national demonstration on Saturday, February 17th, at 13:30 in Dam Square, Amsterdam. Together, let's raise our voices to save the 1.4 million people squeezed in the cramped confines of Rafah, an area less than a quarter the size of Amsterdam!

In environmental justice work, fair treatment and meaningful involvement of rural communities and Native nations requires agencies and funders to build their own capacity to engage with these communities effectively. Recognizing this, some funders are shifting gears to learn communities’ language, processes, and practices, enabling more equitable partnerships and impactful projects that meet community needs. In a new case study, Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group explores new models that philanthropic funders are experimenting with to shift power to communities. Explore the report at the link below.

While many declare walkability as the best advocacy for sustainability, community connection and healthier, equitable living, numbers alone can’t tell the whole story. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gnkBUr5g

Individuals, communities, and governments must work together to effect change. Engaging in campaigns that promote environmental conservation and health-related issues can benefit society and ensure that future generations have access to a healthier future. Encouraging community tree planting, volunteering, and sharing knowledge and awareness on health-related initiatives

🌳 Explore the multitude of benefits trees bring to our environment, communities, and well-being! Here's a glimpse into their remarkable contributions: 🎉 Community Engagement: Unite communities through tree care! Planting and maintaining trees foster civic pride and environmental activism. #weneedtrees #treesneedus #saveourshade

Today marks the fourth anniversary since the tragic murder of #GeorgeFloyd—a moment that ignited a global movement and sparked vital discussions about racial justice, equity, and systemic racism. George Floyd's legacy serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing fight against racial discrimination and violence. His untimely death compelled millions to rise, speak out, and demand meaningful #PoliceReform. On this day, let us renew our commitment to the pursuit of a world where every individual is treated with dignity and respect. We deserve to live without the fear of police violence. It is crucial to acknowledge that the fight for environmental justice is deeply intertwined with the struggle for racial equality. Throughout history, there have been prominent figures within the environmental movement who held white supremacist views, such as Madison Grant and Teddy Roosevelt. These individuals, under the guise of conservation, perpetuated harmful practices that further marginalized Indigenous communities. For instance, Indigenous people were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in places like Yellowstone and Yosemite, and unfortunately, similar practices persist to this day. In response to this troubling legacy, environmental justice leaders united in 1990 to challenge ten of the nation's largest and most well-funded environmental organizations. They demanded accountability and urged these organizations to rectify their long history of "racist and exclusionary practices." These practices have played a significant role in the disruption and harm inflicted upon marginalized communities. The fight for environmental justice remains an integral part of the broader struggle for racial justice. It is essential that we continue to dismantle systemic racism and advocate for a more just and equitable world for all. #NOLNG #Vesselprojectoflouisiana #nofalsesolutions https://lnkd.in/gbzSh2j4

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced budget cuts that, if enacted, will essentially wipe out #communitycomposting infrastructure in #NYC, as well as threaten widely used #foodwaste drop-off sites operated by GrowNYC at Greenmarkets throughout the city. “NYC has long been a leader not only in #composting, but community composting … that keeps the composting process and #compost use local, while offering community engagement and education opportunities,” according to Institute for Local Self-Reliance. ILSR’s 2022 Community Composter Census identified New York as home to the largest concentration of community composters in the U.S.—a thriving ecosystem of local businesses, environmental nonprofits, and neighborhood gardens. #climate

Kirsten Midura, MEnv, and I recently sat down with Andy Carroll and Exponent Philanthropy to discuss innovative grantmaking approaches that drive systemic change. Listen to the podcast here https://lnkd.in/efbzTNUG and let me know what you think! 🌿 #CatalyticGrantmaking #EnvironmentalNonprofits #Podcast #Philanthropy #SustainableImpact #FundingStrategies #NonprofitLeadership

Let's play a game. By now, we've all heard of venture capitalism: investing in high-potential companies with an expectation of financial returns on investment (ROI). But what would our investments look like if environmental returns came first, profit second? What if the 'triple bottom line' weren't just greenwashing? What if we could shift our values as a society to reflect the importance of natural systems on our literal livelihoods? This is some of the work we're doing at Howell Conservation Fund - investing in promising companies and nonprofits to accelerate their environmental impact, placing the highest priority on their ecological returns. Check out the latest Exponent Philanthropy podcast episode, where HCF Founder Brett W. Howell and I talk about the principles of 'venture philanthropy' and how to apply them to the environmental sector. What investments would you like to see made in the environmental space? #venturephilanthropy #funding #environment #intrinsicrightsofnature #venturecapitalism #values #saveourplanet Andy Carroll Cristiana Salazar Serenity Greenfield Justin Howell Stephanie Brown David Wootton, CEPA, AIF® Audrey Desler Kyle Huck Nick Keenan Marni Keenan Topher Burns Jordan Rice Danny Schleien David Westlund Meredith Thomas Daniel Kleinman Jenn H. Christine Prydatko Abigail Lehman Rob Beachtoken Jasper Wilkins 🌍 Amber Peoples Amber Sparks Katherine M. Niemczyk Jennifer Miller Bethany Foran Garrett Wong Garrett Benisch Andrea Bailey Eric Maidenberg Isaac Reshad

Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future Excited to share an inspiring initiative that beautifully aligns finance with human rights and the preservation of nature. Working alongside Milieudefensie, we delved into the untapped potential of sustainable practices in finance. 🔍 Key Highlights: Agroecology: Demonstrating the power of agriculture that works in sync with nature, ensuring food security and environmental conservation. Community-Based Forest Management: Empowering local communities to protect and manage forests, creating a sustainable model that benefits both people and the planet. Finance & Nature: Showcasing how financial decisions can have a positive impact on biodiversity and ecosystems. This is more than a project; it's a testament to the fact that finance can be a force for good, promoting biodiversity and nurturing the planet. 🤝 We're proud to have been part of this groundbreaking initiative and are committed to exploring more avenues where finance can contribute to a greener, more sustainable world. #SustainableFinance #Agroecology #Biodiversity #HumanRights #NatureConservation #CommunityEmpowerment #Milieudefensie Learn more insight on our projects and clients in https://lnkd.in/e9i78Yc7