SEI ’s Post

As municipalities grow, the need to conserve prime agricultural lands becomes crucial for food security and environmental protection. Check out the latest trends in urban growth strategy and natural asset conservation at https://lnkd.in/g_z5JWyA. Working together to ensure a sustainable future for our communities.

"Diverse communities have diverse needs, and to effectively create equity, we must build trust by centering the experience of underrepresented communities in conservation." In this heartfelt piece, Chad Duplain, senior associate director of corporate relations for The Nature Conservancy, unveils the need for equitable access to nature, the importance of inclusion in conservation decision-making and the role people play in solving our greatest environmental challenges. Learn more about Chad’s work as you read his inspiring story and discover how The Nature Conservancy is forging a path toward a more inclusive and sustainable future for all. https://nature.ly/3VrSVdx

Do you "step up" or "shut down" in the face of the climate crisis? These are the words of Force of Nature Founder Clover Hogan, who recently joined Niki Roach and the Planet Possible team to cover the subject of activism in the April episode, which you can access on iTunes and Spotify. Be sure to listen to the episode - and let us know what you think! #climatecrisis #climateactivism #ciwem

This debate between Ben Goldsmith and John Lewis-Stempel is fascinating but also infuriating in that I think the focus is off target. I'm sure a lot of re-wilding is a good idea but I think Lewis Stempel is right when he says the framing the restoration of the British countryside as 'rewilding' is a mistake. The British countryside has been farmed for 1000s of years but the problem is it is now being farmed destructively re biodiversity. Rewilding is just tinkering with that and also suggests that rural communities will not be part of any restoration. The British countryside was rich in biodiversity long after beavers and wolves were generally exterminated c.500 years ago. We need a a much wider fundamental shift to sustainable, organic, restorative, high yield farming that will turn around the destruction of ecosystems and continue to produce food for the urban areas and populations, that are not going to disappear any time soon, while allowing biodiversity to recover and flouish. https://lnkd.in/dykKrXxs

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the 31st Maryland Environmental Summit held in Annapolis. It was inspiring to see so many passionate individuals and organizations gathered together to promote and share progress, challenges, and opportunities for progress for people, the environment, and our local economy.   Insightful keynote speakers such as Meghan Conklin, Serena McILWAIN, Kevin Atticks, Josh Kurtz, Marc Korman, Brian Feldman, US Senator, Ben Cardin and many more environmental leaders were there to express their dedication and encouragement for sustainable change within our beautiful state. The biggest takeaways from the summit: - 🏞 🌱 Our stance should not be agriculture vs. the environment, Farmers in Maryland have always cared about the soil, the land, and water resources.  Let's work together and not against each other to address environmental challenges. - 📢 🤝 Change is dependent on us, let's do what we need to do to make a difference, and to use your voice and your vote to speak up! - 🎣 🍽 Do your part - Eat more catfish! Not only they are invasive to Maryland and destroying water ecosystems but, according to Ben Cardin, they are delicious as well! - 🐚 ✅ There is Hope! More Maryland juvenile oysters have been counted at key bars (sampling sites) this fall than in the past 39 years! Check it out- https://lnkd.in/eV-6u8un More stakeholders gave a brief breakdown of three key bills that are being presented to the Maryland General Assembly in the 2024 Regular Session: 💧 🔎 The Clean Water Justice Act - SB0653 💡 💲 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plans - HB0864 🛥 🛶 🌊 The Whole Watershed Act. - SB0969   Thank you to the organizers and speakers for your insights into the landscape of environmental policy in Maryland!  #maryland #environmentaleducation #chesapeakebay #oysters #envrionmentalpolicy #sustainabledevelopment #sustainablecities #sustainabilitystrategy

Storytellers shape our humanity. They always have been, and they always will be. 🕯 It was my honor to meet and get to know Carolyn Finney’s journey. Her voice is vital to the space of environmental justice. #environmentalists #environmentaljustice #environmentalracism #environmentalequality #indigenousvoices #BIPOC #BIPOCvoices #inclusivitiy #climateactivism #climatejustice #climatemovement #climatechange #climateactiontakers #storytelling #climatestorytelling #theclimatetribe

'Ultimately, it’s in the public’s interest to know that our precious natural and built heritage is being adequately protected, which begs the question, whose interests are being served by those calling for the removal of that oversight? We are clear in what we stand for, and why we take the stances that we do. We are fighting for a liveable planet for current and future generations. Are others so transparent?' https://lnkd.in/eJjPi9XK

Simon Upton, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, emphasizes adapting land uses to fit a changing landscape. He advocates for "going with the grain," meaning we should modify our land use practices to align with evolving environmental conditions. This approach aims to create a balance between human activities and the natural world, promoting long-term ecological health and sustainability. Upton's insights highlight the importance of adaptive strategies in environmental stewardship.

https://lnkd.in/ggvHHTEN "By focusing their problem-solving strategies on the courts and Congress, and on issues like protection of wilderness areas, parks, and endangered species, mainstream-professional environmentalists have generally avoided local environmental issues and discounted the value of local civic networks in addressing environmental harms. Consequently, they have indirectly countenanced the continued environmental degradation of local communities." ..... "Notwithstanding the local nature of environmental harms, in terms of both their genesis and consequences, traditional environmentalism has focused on places where very few of us actually live and work, such as wilderness and national parks, while overlooking densely populated areas like cities and suburbs." The article is hard on the movement. And, I appreciate the honest criticism. Something cannot be seen as relevant if you actually refuse to present it in a way or deliver solutions in a way that is relevant to the average person. Nor will it succeed if it is not structured correctly. This is on par with my experience.

Organizations and companies operating in the environmental sector have a unique opportunity to engage with local communities and contribute to ecological preservation efforts. But how exactly do you get started? In our latest blog, we explore some proven strategies that can help a company demonstrate its commitment to the community through action, creating a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond individual initiatives. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dQGtpHyH