XXXXVI. Nature Provides All

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Prologue: I’m racing to schedule this one as we are in the path of a hurricane. I expect the power to go out by the time this is published, but hopefully, it will be back on before the following issue. I make a lot of assumptions about whether it will be that easy. Frankly, loss of power will be the best outcome given the potential with this one. Times like these are a friendly reminder to stay humble. Nature provides but plays no favorites. Be well, and be safe.

As populations grow, so must our ethic of stewardship. In the realm of conservation, a fight remains between the traditional "shoot 'em and catch 'em" approach and the broader, more holistic concept of preserving our resources for future uses. This divide became more apparent during my tenure in my previous position, where I encountered a pervasive reluctance to embrace a more holistic view of conservation.

Conservation is not just about hunting and law enforcement.

For example, we cannot overstate the importance of something rarely considered in conservation talk: the diversity of insects. They are the unsung heroes of pollination, pest control, and nutrient cycling. Without them, there is no hunting as there is no diversity of food. Yet, their significance is often overshadowed by more charismatic megafauna dominating conservation efforts.

I vividly recall a conversation with a promising young manager, well-versed in hunting practices but dismissive of "butterflies and things." This narrow perspective is emblematic of a larger issue; the tendency to prioritize familiar, traditionally valued skills while neglecting the need to appreciate the larger realm of species diversity.

Consider the monarch butterfly, a creature that exemplifies nature's ingenuity. The chrysalis it forms is a masterpiece of natural engineering – an emerald jewel adorned with golden accents. From this delicate structure emerges a creature with an innate ability to navigate vast distances using the sun and weather patterns as its guide. This remarkable transformation and migratory feat remind us of the complexity of nature and the wealth of knowledge that humans have yet to fully understand. The monarch migration is most likely an indicator of even deeper natural connections. I’ve tagged thousands of them on their flight south in the winter, and they still amaze me. It underscores the importance of approaching conservation with humility and an openness to continuous learning.

I recently had the pleasure of interacting with students pursuing unique combinations of disciplines, such as music and engineering. This interdisciplinary approach is precisely what modern conservation efforts need. By bridging diverse fields of study, we can cultivate fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges. For instance, the study of biomimicry – drawing inspiration from nature's designs and processes – has led to groundbreaking advancements in various fields, from architecture to robotics. Similarly, combining ecological knowledge with engineering principles can result in more effective and sustainable conservation strategies.

To truly advance conservation efforts, we must challenge ourselves to step outside our comfort zones and embrace the unfamiliar. This means not trying to lock in one aspect of conservation. Insects, arachnids, and other invertebrates may not have the immediate appeal of larger animals, but their ecological significance is immeasurable.

The path to truly holistic conservation lies in embracing diversity – not just in the species we seek to protect, the species we seek to hunt and fish, but in the approaches we use to grow as our knowledge grows. By combining different fields of study, challenging our preconceptions, and remaining open to the wonders of the natural world, we can forge a new era of conservation that honors and preserves the full spectrum of life on our planet, not just put more boots and guns on the ground.

We have a long way to go, but the road is there to take.

• Here’s a good example of not giving a shit for the sake of convenience.

• A reminder that the future is now for cheaper, cleaner energy. It’s being done.

• Solar panels are getting better and better. The new green economy will happen.

I envy those who can recognize their place in the natural world at an early age. It took me decades to realize that I am insignificant in terms of time. When I read something as thought-provoking as this, I always think about how we continue to make discoveries that are new to us but have likely been part of nature for millennia.

Our species comes to natural intrigues late, and depending upon how well we learn to live together, we may end up as a blip in universal time. There is much the natural world has to teach us if we recognize the power of diversity and to not judge by size.

_{“That’s what abundant electricity means: we’ll be able to think differently.”}

It is a common false theme that California represents liberalism, waste, and expense. The reality is that California, being bigger than most nations, could very well be considered the greatest incubator of new technology and thought in the United States today. This is a good read because it shows what can be done when public policy gets focused on sustainability vs. short-term profit. Once the new infrastructure is in place, all kinds of opportunities emerge. We have proven that nature will provide all the energy we need without burning, if we will only take the path and stay on it. Two questions the leader should always have is “Why?” and “Why not?”

My ability to do more on less sleep was at its highest during graduate school. If I went to bed before midnight, I felt like I was cheating myself of good study time. I much preferred to rise late and stay up late. I’ve got a buddy of mine who has always been able to get a lot out of life on about five hours of sleep. Recently, our oldest son’s girlfriend mentioned that she is a morning person, preferring to see the rising sun and get started on the day while some of us are in a state of oblivion.

To give credit where credit is due, part of me does envy those who are able to rise at the crack of dark and seize the day. Most of our family members are the cocooning types, who would quickly bend to our natural rhythms of working when our minds and bodies tell us to, and not necessarily when someone or culture tells us to be on the clock.

Sleep is undervalued from a multitude of research and medical reports. As the writer mentions, research shows that having kids at school in the early hours does not equate to better learning. School hours are more of a custom of convenience or expectation that hasn’t kept up with the data or research. Changing the clocks is most likely that old emotional trigger tied to thinking something is wrong if we’re not up early.

The way we deal with sleep is a perfect example of how we are all just different, and if we continue to grow and mature in our culture, I think some expectations will need to bend to be more human-supportive. For example, look at how much remote work has boomed. The changing of the clocks is probably unnecessary, just as many positions have proven that central destinations are unnecessary.

The more we know, the more we must grow.

The workings of our brains has always fascinated me. While we live in a time where we are understanding more and more, and research is getting into formerly science fiction level stuff, our public policies have not kept up. I see a need for these natural medicines and more rights to use them. Things like this are where I take the middle ground. I think you need stringent protections in place until about the age of 21. After that, I want a bit more freedom to choose with strong regulations in place.

When you’ve had family members with mental health issues, cancer, or other health ailments, you would much rather see them have more options than to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol, be told when they can die, or go broke. There is simply too much work that has been done to show the health and human benefits of some of these alternatives.

For more insight into this, Michael Pollan’s book is fantastic. He went into good narrative detail with personal experiences to share.

When I was in Japan, my last stop on a weekday metro was in the middle of downtown Kobe. When I came up from the underground station, the smell of cherry blossoms was very strong as they were in full white bloom. Despite the high rises of the city, there was an old temple right near the exit, and the grounds were full of walking paths amidst streams of water and lush vegetation. It was a small pocket of bliss in the middle of the concrete jungle.

This story made me remember that experience, and I can’t tell you enough about the importance of finding moments to be with other people in sacred public spaces. To stop a moment, watch as you stir the tea, feel the wind, and just be.

Just be.

This resonates with me as a powerful reminder of a core belief: always be prepared for the unexpected and stay committed to doing the right thing.

I admire this woman for not letting her age limit her activities. When she had an accident, it became a chance for others to shine. This is the ideal to strive for—being ready to help.

Goodness is a part of us as much as anything else. Messages built on fear strike directly against that goodness. It gets us in a vulnerable spot. It is a false individualism. Regardless of policies, concerns, or frustrations, don’t give in. The one thing we can control is how we act towards others.

As Mr. Rogers's mother told him, “Always look for the helpers.”

And Now….

Hope to see you next time. Keep reading, practice your gratefulness, and continue striving to be a better human.

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