Memorial Park Conservancy’s Post

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

There are many short coming in the cannabis industry compared to traditional food manufacturing. While it’s been great to see cannabis companies adopt GMP policies, I wonder how effective these measures actually are. Is anyone monitoring GMP compliance in cannabis production? Does being GMP certified in the cannabis space actually mean anything? Trulieve says they are “cGMP certified”. However Kim Rivers can be seen improperly wearing a hairnet throughout this video. It’s hard to trust that Trulieve is producing a clean product when the company chooses to showcase a video of their CEO wearing a hairnet ineffectivly while in a production area. Any thoughts on GMP compliance in the cannabis space?

This short movie from the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, a work of art by Sourland Studios, beautifully captures this inspiring message of the perils of our planet and the significance of the rematriation movement. It is an inspiring story of the partnership that led to the Cohanzick Nature Reserve. The rematriation of lands to local Indigenous people, a significant pillar of the rematriation movement, is crucial for protecting our cultural heritage, preserving traditional knowledge, and fostering environmental sacred symbiosis rooted in centuries-old practices. The rematriation of the Cohanzick Nature Reserve marks a significant step in a nationwide movement, and how our collaborative efforts by the Native American Advancement Corporation (NAAC), New Jersey Conservation Foundation, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Green Acres Program, and The Nature Conservancy, can heal historical injustices. Acquired in August 2023, this 63-acre forested property in New Jersey returns to the Cohanzick Lenape people, the land's original inhabitants. This initiative honors our enduring connection to the land. It sets a precedent for similar efforts across the country, highlighting the importance of such partnerships in promoting social justice and sacred environmental symbiosis. We at NAAC will be forever grateful for these partnerships, the gift from the Creator, and the promise we keep for those of the next seven generations. #Rematriation #IndigenousLand #CohanzickNatureReserve #CohanzickLenape #NativeAmericanAdvancementCorporation #NAAC #NewJerseyConservationFoundation #NJDEP #GreenAcresProgram #TheNatureConservancy #LandStewardship #CulturalHeritage #EnvironmentalSustainability #SocialJustice #SourlandStudios #NationwideMovement

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  

Opinion: Ken wanted to buy the Miami dolphins… unfortunately it didn’t work out... But Ken has a super power that I don’t believe he is aware of.. he can create an “intern” sports league, where enrolled college students can compete for a company as an “intern” against other firms. Their duty as interns can be less intense in super competitive fields, and their task in many cases will be to study the company culture and narrate YouTube videos touting it, (best example would probably be amazon's leadership principles) but obviously sooo much to be learned from Ken and his crew as well!! What does this have to do with pandas? Well… instead of building stadiums, the profits generated from the “intern sports clubs”go towards college town museums and zoo exhibits… and when a team loses, they lose their zoo animals and museum artifacts (but will have a chance to win them back of course)... dare I say… even the stegosaurus could be lost against a competing intern team if the economics become attractive enough. That is an intense scenario to imagine.. 😅 Big thanks to Ken and Peng!! Rooting for their continued success!!

👇More of this type of realigning and reconnecting of heritage conservation and natural resource conservation/management under the broader Conservation umbrella, please. IMHO we've lost a lot of momentum and spun a lot of wheels over the past 50-60 years when landmark legislation and programs unknowingly cleaved the Conservation movement and mindset here in the US into two separate, but parallel, tracks. Disparities in public awareness and funding, and organizational and agency specialization, helped broaden the chasm between the two over the years, while both also missed out on opportunities for greater cross-calaboration and interdisciplinary impact. Tear down the silos. #heritageconservation #conservation

🌳Presentation to Bushwalking Victoria in support of the Great Forest National Park🌳 Over the weekend of 11-13 October 2024, 330 bushwalkers from Bushwalking Victoria and affiliated clubs met at Wilsons Promontory National Park to commemorate the 90th anniversary of organised bushwalking in Victoria. I had the absolute pleasure of presenting at the event, and spoke about the vital importance of National parks for regional economies, mental and physical health, and biodiversity conservation – in support of the Great Forest National Park in the Central Highlands of Victoria. I also spoke about some misleading claims that have recently been made about the proposed Great Forest National Park. Some contend that this park will restrict access for families, and outdoor enthusiasts, and constrict economic potential. 🌟 Nothing could be further from the truth 🌟 As I have spent decades working in and researching the forests of the Great Forest National Park, I shared the true vision of the Great Forest National Park. It is not solely about conservation—although crucial—it is also a park for people, families, and visitors from abroad. Zoning can be utilised within National parks to provide all types of users the access they desire with appropriate infrastructure. It’s a place where we can all celebrate one of the most spectacular forests on Earth – the critically-endangered Mountain Ash Forest! 💵 The Great Forest National Park would not only be crucial for the conservation of species and for prevention of extinctions, especially in the face of climate change, but it would operate as an exceptionally powerful economic driver for the local economy. Economic evaluations show that the creation of the Great Forest National Park would generate 750 new local jobs, attract 379,000 additional visitors, and contribute at least $40 million to the local economy annually. Parks Victoria reports that there were nearly 55 million visits to Victorian parks last year alone. This increase is of no surprise, considering that Melbourne's greater area population has grown by 1.5 million people since 2001 (more than the current population of Adelaide), with more people seeking access to nature. There is an urgent need for secure funding to ensure that parks continue to provide these invaluable benefits. It also underscores the potential value of the green bond program and other investments into National parks. ⭐ The Great Forest National Park provides a significant opportunity for the Central Highlands of Victoria. I encourage open collaboration to ensure these incredible forests are not just protected and enjoyed for all users, but are also economically profitable in the form of expanded eco-tourism. Visit: https://lnkd.in/gssiGnMg Watch: https://lnkd.in/gS4NnYBh #GreatForestNationalPark #GFNP #Ecology #Conservation #Biodiversity #Ecotourism #BushwalkingVictoria #Bushwalking #Victoria #Melbourne #Australia

Beyond assisting organisations in defining and embodying their purpose and values, our team also collaborates with leaders to help them uncover and live their own purpose. Through this process, participants often experience profound 'aha' moments, discovering actionable insights to realign their work and personal lives with what is most important to them. Some even recognise they've been on a path misaligned with their true intentions and use this as a springboard for significant, purpose-driven decisions. Genevieve Deaconos' journey is a prime example. In a Purposeful Career Planning Workshop our CEO Danielle Duell led for QUT (Queensland University of Technology) alumni, Genevieve realised her longing for a more purposeful career path. Read more about her inspiring career transition and current role at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, where she leverages her talents to ensure nature's preservation for generations to come. Congratulations, Genevieve, and thank you for sharing your purpose-driven journey. If you're interested in learning more about our purpose and values alignment workshops and coaching programs for individuals and/or teams, please reach out. #purposefulleaders #purposeinpractice #purposeledbusiness

May these lessons linger ... ❤️ Expand the teachings, rather than simply repeat what and how they were given to us. ❤️ Protect and nurture endangered experiences, beyond endangered species. ❤️ Listen to the human and non-human elders. ❤️ Leverage collective power; row together. ❤️ Be accountable for impact. ❤️ Make room for wholeness. ❤️ Bring gifts and gratitude. ❤️ Lead with gentleness. ❤️ Practice forgiveness. ❤️ Remember to rest. #rightrelationship #collaboration #accountability #trust #love https://lnkd.in/eDsZhpc6

Happy Black Birders Week! It's a joyous occasion to celebrate these incredible individuals who explore and study birds across the globe, from urban parks to remote wilderness areas. Black birders, with their passion for nature and keen observation skills, contribute immensely to our understanding and appreciation of avian biodiversity. In Saudi Arabia, while opportunities for black birders are expanding, it's crucial to acknowledge their contributions to the global birding community. By participating in bird counts, research projects, and educational initiatives, black birders play a pivotal role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the field of ornithology. Despite their dedication, black birders often face challenges such as racial bias, access to outdoor spaces, and representation in conservation efforts. These obstacles underscore the importance of supporting initiatives that empower black birders and advocate for equitable access to nature. At VEKR Environmental Services, we value diversity in conservation efforts, including supporting black birders and their contributions to avian research and conservation. Through our commitment to fostering inclusive environments and promoting wildlife stewardship, we strive to ensure a future where all birders, regardless of background, can thrive. Join us in celebrating Black Birders Week by using hashtags like #BlackBirdersWeek, #BirdingWhileBlack, and #DiversityInNature. Together, let's amplify the voices and achievements of black birders and work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for birding enthusiasts worldwide. 🦅💚