What is Stewardship of Ecosystems?

Stewardship of Ecosystems is the use and protection of natural environments in responsible ways. This includes conservation and sustainable practices. The ultimate goal is to enhance ecosystem resilience, while simultaneously enhancing human well-being. Many charities do this by planning and managing natural areas.

What is resilience? Well, resilience is the ability of an ecosystem to respond to a disturbance or change and recover, ideally back to its original state or function. That disturbance could be the introduction of an exotic species, natural disasters, or human impacts like deforestation or mining.

There are many rationales behind the stewardship of ecosystems. Some see it as simply a moral imperative. Perhaps a religious person might say that it is a matter of being respectful to their creator. Many others just see the natural world as beautiful and want to protect it. And then there are economic reasons. Ecosystems can often provide services that have financial value and are able to provide those services more cheaply than we could artificially. Ecosystems provide drainage, a wealth of chemicals and chemical reactions, new plants to cultivate, and cures for many diseases that could become salable medicines. So there are many reasons to take care of ecosystems and keep them healthy.

Using GIS datasets to support citizen science. external link to Access Data on Species & Ecosystems. What makes NatureServe data unique is our standard methods and tools for collecting field data, mapping biological features with high precision, and assessing their conservation status. The NatureServe Network of 1,000 conservation experts in every state and province is trained in our core methodologies, so you can be sure our scientific data is decision-quality, objective, and credible.

Use GIS to publish location-based apps and dashboards that inform the public of environmental impacts from proposed projects, forest fires, and natural disasters. Dynamic maps provide a data exchange between your organization and citizens. Story maps illustrate return on investment (ROI) and environmental impacts.

Increase engagement.

Environmental and natural resources agencies use real-time apps and dashboards to increase engagement with other departments and with citizens. Agencies can easily provide the greater population with critical information about environmental impacts on issues such as water quality, air quality, endangered species status, and parks and recreation. Learn more.

What Planet of the Humans got Right, Wrong, and Missed by Mike Ewall, Executive Director, Energy Justice Network

Environmental Stewardship FAQ’S

  • Environmental stewardship is the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices to enhance ecosystem resilience and human well-being

  • Environmental stewardship conserves natural resources, combats pollution, and protects biodiversity, but most importantly, it means we protect and sustain our environment for future generations

  • Protecting the environment through recycling, conservation, regeneration, and restoration. It means taking responsibility for our choices.

  • Sustainable development differs from environmental stewardship in that it may include aspects of social, economic, and environmental sustainability, whereas environmental stewardship focuses solely on the natural world.

  • To the extent practical, facilities development and maintenance will promote environmental sustainability through resource conservation, ecologically-sound landscaping practices, sustainable building design and operation, and transportation that minimizes environmental impact.

  • Environmental stewardship refers to responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. Aldo Leopold (1887–1949) championed environmental stewardship ARCFCAA on a land ethic "dealing with man's relation to land and to the animals and plants which grow upon it."

  • It can be demonstrated in 4 specific components.

    Take responsibility for your leadership role.

    Take responsibility for your constituents.

    Take responsibility for your organization and its actions.

    Hold yourself and others accountable.

  • Ditch the Bottled Water.

    Recycle, Recycle, Recycle.

    Buy Local Food (Or Grow Your Own)

    Bring Your Own Plastic Alternatives.

    Start a Zero Waste Challenge.

    Change Your Mode Of Transportation.

    Start Composting.

Here are 21 ways you can help your business or organization be recognized as environmental stewards:

  • Write a policy (1-page document) that explains your company’s environmental goals and policies.

  • Sites can obtain ISO 140001 certification or develop and utilize their own EMS to annually (or more frequently) evaluate their environmental performance.

  • Yearly report posted to your company web page that explains your company’s environmental performance for the past year.

  • Report that shows all greenhouse gas emissions. Must include both onsite and offsite contributions.

  • Establish an Environmental Purchasing Policy that requires the purchase of environmentally responsible products whenever possible.

  • Establish vendor requirements/contracts with businesses that supply your company to ensure environmentally sound business practices are employed.

  • Does the site offer mentoring of an environmental nature to other businesses? If yes, describe the mentoring program and any available contact information the site can provide.

  • Participate or offer assistance to community leaders and local groups to address, educate and collaborate on environmental issues in the community.

  • Obtain LEED building certification (or other recognized green building certification) for new or major building renovation projects.

  • Utilize green building design concepts in new construction or renovation projects. No formal certification by LEED is required.

  • Conduct a detailed LCA of any products or site services/activities to evaluate environmental impacts, determine inefficiencies, and institute improvements.

  • Reduce the number of hazardous materials used at your facility or exchange your use of high-hazard materials for less hazardous materials.

  • Implement changes at your facility that result in reduced water use.

    Examples: installation of water saving fixtures, grey water recycling systems, reuse of production waste water, rain water harvesting systems, etc.

  • Conserve materials used at your site by changing processes, products, or formulations, participating in waste exchanges, reusing operational waste, etc.

    Materials required to be recycled by the State or your County do not qualify

  • Provide a program to reduce or eliminate employee commuting trips to the workplace.

    Examples: telework program, flexible work schedules, incentives to carpool or use public transportation, etc.

  • Reduce energy use associated with onsite processes or production operations.

    Examples: VFD motors on equipment, solar-powered equipment or lights, etc.

  • Reduce transportation energy use by upgrading the company fleet to hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, switching to cleaner-burning fuels, etc.

  • Major installations, such as solar panels or wind turbines to generate renewable energy for onsite use; or you can purchase energy from a green energy power provider

  • Reclamation projects at your site or in the community, such as a wildlife habitat restoration, rain gardens, invasive species weed control, or use of native species

  • Any environmental activity not recognized under other stewardship categories, such as being a member of a state-sponsored voluntary program.

  • Become a participating member/partner of an EPA Voluntary Program.