Re-Gain

Conserving is a virtue.  Saving translates into wise living. "Eco" comes from the Greek meaning house and it is time we best put our house in better order. When we waste less then collectively we prosper more. I have been fortunate to be a participant in several conservation tipping points.  I have observed that we Americans are reexamining our wasteful habits. However our culture of consumption needs to be readdressed with a longer time frame in mind. Our challenge is to invest in future accountability by better resource management.  Just as we create a financial retirement plan so may we secure our future natural capital. There is a green awakening where Americans wish to lessen our debt, waste and ignorance. Recovering these assets will minimize our liabilities.  Also we will discover how important it is for us to cooperate together and create new opportunities. One perfect example of how we must become more accountable is how we can best manage the by-products of en

Nearly 90 percent of the  Washington   DC  metro region depends on the  Potomac  and its major tributary, the Shenandoah for clean drinking water .  Also the  Shenandoah valley  supplies billions dollars in agriculture, timber, tourism and other environmental benefits.   One hundred years ago we wisely established the George  Washington   National Forest  to help preserve this watershed. According to the  Chesapeake Bay  clean-up estimates, well over $2 billion is needed to restore the  Shenandoah   River  to meet clean water goals. To do this we must develop new jobs and outreach programs to meet these needs. More than 1,300 miles of rivers and streams in the Shenandoah watershed fail to meet Federal clean water standard because of excess nutrients, sediment, and other pollutants. To meet this challenge we can change our very attitude on how we do business from short term to long term profits and also account for how much we are willing to invest in the value of this watershed.

I feel so fortunate to live in the middle of the Shenandoah Valley. Because of this blessing I best honor this precious place that is my home.  I do this with many forms of conserving that also  brings me much delight.  When I directly preserve my valley I get inner joy from this amazing intention.  Keeping Shenandoah beautiful and green, I do my part and so reap great rewards.  The more I can show my love for the Shenandoah the better I feel.  I benefit from the land; air and water.  The greater I can show my appreciation for this place the more magical my home becomes. Shakespeare said, action is eloquence. My choice to go beyond just these words with actual deeds gives me new freedom and possibility. Conserving my environment I act like a mother protecting her child. Such compassion, wonder, sensitivity, respectfulness, courage, love, appreciation, tenacity, and gratitude, are the liberating virtues that fully inspire me in this amazing stewardship. Creating this connection