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the land , water , and air , as well as developing our responses and responsibility to live harmoniously with all beings . This is the message of the indigenous water and land protectors . It involves stewardship as well as a kind of spiritual renewal that recognizes our deep bond with and dependence on the creative forces of Nature .
In my career as a teacher , I was inspired and guided by what I call the “ gardening ethic .” I viewed my students as seeds that needed the appropriate conditions in order to fulfill their potentials and thrive . As a gardener , it was my role to provide
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Children grow up hearing how broken the environment is , how broken beyond repair . Plant strawberries together , make wild medicines , paint the sunrise . Show them proof that for every act of destruction , they can sow a seed , however small , of beauty .
~ nicolette sowder
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it turns out , hearing horror stories about environmental degradation and doom are much less compelling motivators .
When the Sioux leaders of the action against the oil pipeline through their territory said they were protectors , they used the strength of song , prayer , and their commitment to the land , culture and community to maintain their resistance to the pipeline . When we cultivate and nurture in ourselves and our children the consciousness of belonging to Nature , we will no doubt grow protectors of our shared future and empower them with a passionate
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those conditions . Implicit in the gardening ethic is optimism . It is the core motivator and guide to planting , nurturing , and protecting . Why would anyone plant a seed and work so hard to help it to fruition unless they had some vision and expectation of what the seed would become ?
For children , gardening is an accessible , fun , and engaging way to develop necessary traits for healthy physical , emotional and intellectual development . It involves planning and working with goals , collaboration , patience , observation , nurturing , appreciation , facing adversity , problem solving , humility , and empowerment . Gardening is a bridge to a time when survival required
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living in and from the abundance and mercy of Nature . It develops the consciousness of working with the forces of Nature and a respect and appreciation for them .
I believe experiences with gardens , art , play and adventures in Nature are vital in order to nurture the next generation of protectors . In the community of environmental educators it is recognized that environmentalists are born from their love of Nature and a feeling of belonging in it . This belonging is an unspoken emotional connection ; people want to protect what they belong to . We have all heard stories of people who put their lives on the line in order to protect one tree or the ocean because they love it . As
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inner strength .
President of Gardens for Humanity , and founding member of the Sustainability Alliance in Arizona , Richard Sidy is an educator , writer and community activist . He served in the Peace Corps in rural community development from 1969-1971 in the West African nation of the Ivory Coast , and upon his return , worked for the Los Angeles City Volunteer Corps establishing community gardens and food co-ops . Richard is a retired teacher of over 35 years and advocates sustainable education through writing and building community collaboration around the issues of food security , sustainable economic development , and environmental education . www . gardensforhumnity . com
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