Hillary Hoffmann’s Post

It’s exciting to see more natural burial options available. Not only that, there’s also a shift in how people perceive end-of-life planning, embracing more sustainable and meangingful choices. I highly recommend reading our blog post “7 Innovative Burial Alternatives” here: https://lnkd.in/gHbY54vq

Embracing our shared history is crucial in today's interconnected world. Recognizing and valuing the profound relationship between Indigenous peoples and their ancestral lands is vital to reconciliation and cultural respect. The Mountaineers' "We Are All Treaty People" initiative emphasizes the importance of such acknowledgment, providing a platform to honor the stewardship and enduring connections of Native communities to these lands. Land acknowledgments are more than a formality; they serve as a crucial step toward reconciliation and cultural respect. They remind us that Indigenous peoples have cared for the lands we enjoy and utilize today for millennia. By acknowledging this, we pay respect to their profound historical connection and recognize their ongoing contributions to conservation and sustainable practices. Furthermore, these acknowledgments encourage us to learn from Indigenous wisdom and leadership, which have long fostered environmental stewardship and sustainability. Embracing these practices and knowledge can guide us toward more responsible and aware interactions with our natural surroundings. As we move forward, let us commit to acknowledging the past and present roles of Indigenous peoples and actively supporting and engaging with these communities. Doing so ensures a more inclusive and enriched dialogue about our shared history and future environmental endeavors. Explore detailed insights from The Mountaineers' blog series to learn how land acknowledgments can lead to meaningful action and deeper connections to our natural places. Join the conversation, and let's honor the stewardship and enduring connections of Native communities to these lands. #LandAcknowledgment #IndigenousStewardship #EnvironmentalStewardship #Sustainability #mountaineers #native #indigenous

Start Your LEGACY with This Simple Starter Phrase! To Get Started with Your Legacy Contribution, I found this BUILDING-BLOCK Phrase helpful//useful Complete this phrase: I want to craft “A Legacy of __” _A Legacy of Service - through mentoring _A Legacy of Stewardship - through forest conservation _A Legacy of Hope, Faith, and Grace - through community involvement with runaways _A Legacy of Memories - through writing a book of family stories _A Legacy of Feeling Informed - through creating a YouTube Channel about _?_ YT: https://lnkd.in/gSbMCJFP  #legacy #legacycontribution #gettingstarted

On the eve of Earth Day, it is important to remember the early advocates of environmental stewardship. Most of us who grew up in central California are familiar with Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. These three national parks, located on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, are world-famous for their natural beauty and unsurpassed vistas. People from all over the world trek thousands of miles to see the awe-inspiring beauty in our backyard. But what some people forget is that we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude for the existence of these parks to a Scottish-born naturalist who immigrated to America and became the foremost advocate for the preservation of the natural beauty of the United States.   John Muir was born on this date, April 21, 1838, in Dunbar, Scotland.  Raised in a devoutly religious family, Muir was a bit of a rebel, and retreated to enclaves of the natural world in Scotland to escape the formality and rigidity of the church. Muir’s family emigrated from Scotland in 1849, and settled in Wisconsin, where Muir began his life in America. He eventually migrated to the West Coast and became enamored with the natural beauty of the west. He wrote essays and articles about the importance of preserving the unparalleled beauty of Yosemite, and the power of his written words helped sway the U.S. Congress to set aside land for the future enjoyment of all Americans.    I love today’s quote from John Muir. I have tried to adopt this perspective for my own life. This quote speaks of empowerment, of the importance of attitude and perspective in realizing happiness and fulfillment.      #bornonthisday #bornonthisdate #johnmuir #yosemite #environmentalstewardship #naturalworld #science #attitude #perspective  

When the Australian wildfires tore through wildlife habitats, we united the local community to sew. It was winter, so we could easily transform our entire open-plan language space into a sewing den. Many people cared. New crafters and sewers dropped off beds and blankets daily. Deep down, I knew it was a band-aid over a bullet wound, but it felt unbearable to do nothing in the face of such devastation. Nearly 3 billion animals were killed or displaced, and 33 people lost their lives and we grieved. Since then, fires have ripped through communities and natural landscapes around the world. Now, they’re destroying the cultural history of Hollywood, and we are all stunned again by the naked tragedy of architecture lost, the art on the walls consumed along with the woodlands and wildlife it shelters. (So far, the area burned is 0.06% of what was lost in Australia in 2019/20). Last night on Channel 4 News, John Vaillant, a journalist and author of Fire Weather was openly frustrated by our repeated incredulity - and our preference for noticing only when it’s communities like our own ablaze. He lists fires of this scale worldwide and lays out our future in an increasingly flammable world. One nation’s art, nature, and culture are not worth more than another’s. We have a bias for caring about people we identify with, and this bias is obscuring all climate action. And the creatures? Unless they are cute and fluffy – or right under our noses, they don’t stand a chance. Perhaps this time, the symbolism of the loss of such a revered society will translate into action—significant moves towards a non-oil-based economy. It’s not going to be US-led. It may not even be nation-led, but it can be community-led. We all have a part to play and unfortunately, it's just not crocheting more bird nests. This year, my 2025 business planning is climate-focused. There are contradictions within my business that don't work and I'm giving myself 1 year to resolve them. Nothing sharpens focus like a deadline. Sharing the interview with John Vaillant. https://lnkd.in/e4cj-B37

TREECATION!! (Tree work + Vacation) This week, the Arbor Society addressed a stand of pine which had been afflicted by a pine borer. Our client lost about twenty trees due to this devastating pest. The bigger concern are the remaining trees left around this particular reservoir succumbing to the same fate. This community stands to lose all their pine if actions aren’t taken. We dropped info packets that includes direct information for the DIY’ers in the community since it’s very easy to protect, awareness is the key here. Our client hadn’t been to their cabin in roughly six months, they found half their trees had become unhealthy. With the hazards removed, we can now focus on saving the remaining stand and try to get the word out on how to protect against pine borers. If you have concerns about the health of your trees, give us a shout! Here’s a video of the fun we had along the way, not pictures are the trout we caught and the waterfalls we visited! https://lnkd.in/gD29zVvF #arborists #treeguy #propertymanagment #pnw #trees #treecare

For countless generations, Indigenous communities have nurtured, protected, and lived in harmony with the earth, guided by traditions that teach respect, gratitude, and sustainability. The land is not seen as a resource to own but as a living, sacred part of life. As we reflect on this heritage, let’s embrace the lessons Indigenous peoples have carried through time: we all thrive when the land thrives. Consider how you can help support the land that supports you: 🌽 Plant species native to North America. 🍠 Lend a hand in a community garden. 🌳 Volunteer for local conservation projects. 🌱 Learn traditional foraging practices. 🫛 Support Indigenous farms and markets. Read more about honoring Native American Heritage Month ➡️ https://buff.ly/3Abb0CG

🎉 Today is our 17th birthday! As the only nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting, restoring, and expanding America’s National Conservation Lands, we're so grateful for your ongoing support. National Conservation Lands are among the most essential and spectacular natural, cultural, and archaeological places in the country. They include National Monuments, National Conservation Areas, Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails. Here’s how we protect, restore, and expand National Conservation Lands: 🏞️ We harness community passion through our Friends Grassroots Network, which includes over 80 local groups that advocate for National Conservation Lands. 🌻 We secure protections and improve policies by working with presidential administrations, Congress, and the Bureau of Land Management. 🌿 We increase public support by generating greater visibility and funding for enduring protections. As we continue our efforts, join us in safeguarding millions of acres in the U.S. for future generations: visit conservationlands.org. #ProtectWhatMatters #Conservation #PublicLands #NationalConservationLands

For millennia, Indigenous peoples have used fire as a vital tool for land stewardship, fostering biodiversity, healthy forests, and resilient ecosystems. In 1850, however, California criminalized cultural burning as part of broader efforts to suppress Indigenous practices, and eventually the state practiced a policy of complete fire suppression. The consequences of this history have been devastating and have even contributed to catastrophic wildfires that are now more frequent than ever. In recent years, California has begun to reckon with these wrongdoings and recognize the value of fire on the landscape. Senate Bill 310, sponsored by the Karuk Tribe and currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, aims to break down barriers to cultural burning by acknowledging Tribal sovereignty and fostering collaboration between Tribal governments and state agencies. This legislation is a vital step toward restoring forest health, building resilience, and advancing both cultural and environmental justice.

It’s Earth Day, and there’s no better time to commit to protecting the earth and honoring Indigenous landscapes like Bears Ears. 🌍🌱 Today, we express our deepest gratitude and reverence for the Earth, the source of all life. We want to recognize the traditional wisdom and expertise of our Indigenous communities who have long understood the importance of living in balance with the land. We recognize the profound ways in which the land has sustained and nurtured us, and it is our responsibility to reciprocate that intentional care for her. When we tend to the land, in turn, nurtures us and our future generations. At the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition, we hope to foster deeper connections between people and the environment. We do this by caring for Bears Ears through honoring Indigenous expertise and traditional practices that teach us to live in harmony with our natural environment and with each other. Through respect and gratitude for the world around us, we can create a more sustainable future for all. Together, let’s pledge to be responsible stewards of this sacred landscape and Earth Mother. 📷:Tim Peterson #ProtectSacredPlaces #HonorBearsEars #ProtectBearsEars