Grassroots Conservation is an Epic Battle. And I am Here for it.
There are many content creators who talk about the outdoors and the best places to go for hikes.
But I’m not one of them. On Nooks & Coves, I write about grassroots conservation campaigns in Canada, what it’s like to advocate for nature, and the challenges we face in protecting our precious environment.
Nature conservation, though rarely included in lists of actions that we can take to help protect the planet, is key to a viable future.
Among conservation efforts, grassroots conservation is especially promising. I’ve always admired this movement because it understands something that has yet to permeate the entire environmental sector.
That is, that we need to nurture a new relationship with nature, our planet, and our own needs. In short, that we need to change because relying on technology alone will not save us from a climate disaster.
In the face of dire warnings from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, it’s comforting to know that more and more “ordinary” citizens — by which I mean people who do not hold political positions, although politicians can, of course, be advocates— are standing up to protect forests, wetlands, and grasslands from destruction.
However, for Canada to succeed in protecting a reasonable percentage of its own lands and waters, its conservation movement needs to be way bigger than it currently is.
And it can be.
I created Nooks & Coves to partake in grassroots efforts. Here, I:
- Celebrate all of Canada’s nature, from national parks to everyday, neglected forests,
- Tell grassroots conservation stories in a way that’s relatable and empowering,
- Reflect on the challenges we face as nature advocates, not only on a social level, but also on a psychological one.
The Value of Nature: Beyond Rarity and Bucket Lists
All of nature matters, not just rare ecosystems and species.
To me, cultivating a new relationship with nature means refusing the notion that it is valuable only when it is unusual.
We deserve an environment that’s more than a living museum. Nature shouldn’t be reduced to a set of habitat samples, each owing their right to exist on their comprising unique or threatened ecosystems, or being home to disappearing species.
Because, although such habitats and species do need urgent protection, and wholly deserve the hype and good press they’ve been enjoying, nature is about much more than its rare features. And so is protecting it.
It’s about, of course, clean air, drinkable water, and climate change mitigation. But I’m sure we can agree that nature amounts to much more than its “functionalities”, vital as they may be.
This whole conservation battle is about our surroundings making sense in terms of human-scale life as opposed to urban sprawl reducing them to endless, insipid trails of residential units, mass-tourism facilities, and industries.
It’s about recognizing the power of nature and how spending time in natural spaces restores and strengthens our sense of belonging in the world.
It’s about nothing less than our right to a life that’s rich, healthy, and enrapturing.
The Power of “Ordinary” Citizens: Celebrating Everyday Heroes
“Ordinary” citizens are a defining force in the fight to protect nature.
Our prized natural areas exist because concerned citizens stood up for them years ago, trusting in their power to make a difference, or doubting they could and doing it anyway.
Today, many people are fighting to save tomorrow’s nature spots and conservation areas from being exploited or built on. And someday, they will be admitted to being right, and their actions will be recognized as a public service, as is the case for yesterday’s conservation champions.
In the meantime, their battle is a difficult one.
But as crucial as ever. I believe grassroots nature awareness is the driving, defining force that sparks preservation efforts on all other levels.
Renowned non-profits, public or private funding, and conservation programs (all amazing things) exist and grow in popularity because “ordinary” citizens have and continue to rally for nature.
So, as a means to contribute to this effort, and frankly because I’m fascinated by it, I write not only about the places these concerned citizens are fighting for, but also about what it’s like to do that.
The idea is for Nooks & Coves to be a place where all kinds of nature advocates — from highly involved activists to behind-the-scenes allies — can come for inspiration, knowledge and experience sharing, and reflection.
Resolutely, Stubbornly Optimistic
Refusal of what is framed as inevitable can turn the impossible into reality.
I choose optimism (and, as I’m sure you know, it’s not easy.) I choose to believe that we can, in this great rush to ensure our world remains viable, save, conserve, and restore a reasonable portion of our remaining natural spaces.
Because I’ve seen what tireless activism can do.
I’ve seen people in Gatineau (Quebec) rally to call for the city not to sell the Deschênes woods and succeed despite the council repeatedly stating that they had to proceed with the sale.
I’ve been amazed by Chelsea (Quebec) residents’ racing against the clock and pooling $850,000 in 6 months to buy and protect a 23-hectare (57-acre) forest.
On top of that, I’ve seen thousands of Nova Scotians defeat, in an unprecedented campaign, the billionaire who wanted to buy Owls Head Provincial Park, in Little Harbour, to build golf courses.
I know, without a doubt, that resolute, sustained efforts can bring about miracles.
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