I'm sick of people trashing our once pristine planet. Let's bring back a respect for nature that has long been dormant if not non-existent in too many people today.

My Greatgrandmother was descendent from the American Indians and married with Portuguese Descendants in Brazil. Some of my school holidays were spent at their farm, where I would spend hours bare foot in her private forst, small river and my Christmas presents were not toys they were cows... When my mum was at school age, Grandmother went to town and hired a teacher, gave him a house in her property and set up a school for all kids around. Three years passed the teacher comes for a cup of coffee to talk to grandmother and tell her that he had nothing else to teach the kids, he had given them all that he knew...Grandmother travels further and decides to move to town with some of her grand kids, while grandad continues to work in he farm to support their studies in town as well as the school hat carried own in the farm. Today I live in London, have a pile of certificates in IT, Property Development, Urban Planning, had opportunities to set up a residents association and work with local government agencies in the regeneration of the historic Industrial Revolution cities of Britain... I have seen opportunities and resources been taken for granted... My heart some days dismays because when I look to my grandmother Initiative and legacy... I have miles and miles to walk to even get started on her journey of giving herself for the next generation... I am all for farms... But urban farms too... Giving back the Garden of Eden and the joy of eating the fruit that you can produce on the wealth of public spaces. I am for the Year of Jubilee Emigration Bill that grants the ones that work our lands and fill our tables the blessing and dignity of their work. I am for transitory seasonal cards that give them more than the fair wages, also he freedom to come and go and work their little lands to... Because that is the how America was built by people that in God trust to be blessed to be a blessing.

Well I grew up in the South, Mostly Tennessee, Arkansas & Texas. A few years ago I took a trip to the Ozarks. I was so sad so many of the mountains were almost clear cut. I like to climb the observation towers to take pictures but no this time. I didn't want to take pictures. I love the outdoors, but I'm also concerned about nature, maintaining habitat for wildlife, clean air, clean water. Hey guys if we don't keep a clean house it is all over...get my drift?

Just a simple person who loves God and all that He created. Value everything we have been entrusted with and want to preserve the world in it's natural, and balanced state.

This is the only planet capable of supporting human life, we should protect it!

j

My family has valued nature and conservation for generations. My great grandfather on my mom's side worked for the DNR planting wind-breaks on farms to avoid another Dust Bowl. My dad's side of the family has been farming for generations. We have a family tradition of camping at Sibley State Park near my grandparents and cousin's homes over Memorial Day weekend every year. I live near the Gateway Trail which we have utilized fairly often to bike to Stillwater or explore Saint Paul and Phalen Park. I also attended Girl Scout camp in the Chequamegon National Forest in Wisconsin and worked there for most of a summer. I worked for a month and a summer at Girl Scout Camps near Waterville and Houston, MN and enjoyed my time there. conservation is incredibly important to me and I look forward to sharing the wilderness and parks with the next generation.

I am a current graduate student in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. My graduate cohort, CLTL 2.0, is headed to Chiapas, Mexico soon to work on conservation issues there.

Well you know my story and I hope to show you more when you visit South Africa.