Jane Goodall is one of my heroes, and although most of us cannot be the conservation activist that she is, we can all be good Stewards of Nature. The recent victories of removing a nearby park from the East Lansing Deer Culls, and the successful capture and removal of a plastic pumpkin from a young male deer were both accomplished by dedicated and hard-working people that care about wildlife and never gave up.

A relationship with nature develops when we spend time in nature. Sitting quietly and watching and listening to all that nature has to share with us. The more time we spend in nature, the more we enhance our wisdom of life. Wisdom combines the knowledge we learn from others with the personal experiences we share in nature. Over the years, I have learned the most about wildlife by quietly observing them over time. As our wisdom grows our ability to serve as successful stewards improves.

The more intimate our relationship is with nature, the more passionate we become in protecting it. Over the past 3 years I have fought with strong determination to save the lives of fawns and deer that I had not only raised but also loved. In the recent pumpkin deer rescue, a group of people joined together to save a young deer that was an important part of their community. Their relationship with this deer became even more passionate as they watched him struggle to survive. When this young buck was finally saved the tears of relief and the hugs of joy were overwhelming to watch.

Winters are a perfect time to develop more intimacy and wisdom of nature. As I sit looking out my window right now, I am awestruck at the beauty of 8 male cardinals roosting in my apple tree. I laugh at the nuthatch heading upside down in search of insects in my old Catalpa tree. I am comforted watching the turkeys, rabbits and squirrels sharing in the feast I have put out for them. As a flock of hundreds of Canada Geese fly southward I know that a winter storm and colder weather is on the way. It is in these quiet moments of my day when nature grounds me and confirms this precious gift of life that we share with all creatures. May you find these moments in your day as well as fellow Stewards of Nature.

Love and Blessings,
Cheryl