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Additional
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Just One Opinion... Appreciation Goes A Long
Way
By Kelly Meinhart, Producer
 
think I'm safe in saying that anyone involved in environmental
change, either professionally or as a volunteer, is not in it
for the money. Environmental change is not just about improving
our water and air quality, reducing pollution, or protecting
natural spaces – it's about creating lasting change in
the attitudes of people and encouraging routes toward a sustainable
world. No matter what your level of involvement, you are most
likely involved because you care about the environment, not
because you want to line your pockets. It's a very different
thought process, one that much of the western capitalistic world
just doesn't connect with.
ducation goes a long way toward achieving the goal of sustainability,
but life changes or direct impacts are what tend to make the
everyday person think about their place in the environment.
In my opinion, it would be so much easier to illustrate the
affects of our actions on the environment if we had a daily
view of the earth from space. In this month's edition of the
NRDC's "onearth" magazine, they feature a wonderfully graphic
photo of the earth clearly showing the ozone hole as viewed
from space. If that doesn't drive the message home, I don't
know what else will.
ow, I speak less of individuals and more of society as a whole
when I talk about environmental change and the human unwillingness
to connect with the natural world. Unfortunately, most people
get their news from the television, and our nightly news rarely,
if ever, focuses on environmental issues. So it's up to you
and me to talk to our neighbors and encourage change through
our own actions. Thankfully, the fact is that many, many, people
DO care and are taking action in their daily lives to not only
do their part, but to encourage and educate their neighbors
to do the same.
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f you've been tuning in to Watersheds.tv for the past four years,
you've undoubtedly been introduced to hundreds of these people!
(If you haven't, check out the archives links). What makes these
people unique is their commitment; a never-ending commitment
to make life better for their communities and for others. Watersheds.tv
has been, in a way, a weekly 'thank you' to those individuals
and groups as well as an educational tool.
he Watersheds.tv programming will be ending in June 2004, as
our grant will be concluding. So if I get sort of sentimental
over the next few months, just take it as my way of appreciating
the immense work and contributions of everyone who have had
a hand in making the program such a huge success. Just think,
each month over 11,000 visitors come to Pennsylvania through
the Watersheds.tv website to learn more about watersheds and
find out what they can do in their own communities to protect
our water resources.
'd like to encourage others to say 'thank you' to their volunteers
and co-workers for making the effort to make life better, cleaner,
healthier, and eventually, hopefully, more sustainable.
ne group that I'd like to thank in particular is the Crawford
County Conservation District. I've worked with these folks on
many occasions, and am continually overwhelmed by the appreciation
I receive from them. The comment "Thank You" goes a really long
way in my book, and recently, I received just that at their
annual dinner — the honor of receiving the Media Award
for 2003.
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ow I think we've all attended annual dinners for this or that,
but what makes this event special is that their main focus is
on the 'oil that makes the wheel turn' and not just
the wheel itself. The event is focused on what individuals have
done to make a contribution – educators, conservationists,
media folk, and most importantly to the landowners and farmers
who are involved in conservation practices on their land. It's
a festival of 'thanks'– and I would venture to say that
over 100 people gathered together to appreciate one another
and to hail the progress that has been achieved.
o, while we all go about chasing our tails to change the world,
let's take time to thank each other, not only for the work we
do, but also for simply understanding the need to care.
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The following features have previously
aired on the Watersheds.tv website and all highlight the volunteer
efforts taking place in Crawford County.
Congratulations and thanks to all who have not only participated
in these shows, but who are making a difference in their communities.
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For more information:
Crawford
County Conservation District |
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