Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Earth Stewardship

Earth Stewardship is the practice of caring for the Earth through regenerative and restorative methodologies that include:

* Soil reparation
* Permaculture principles
* Use of Effective micro-organisms 
* Mycellium applications
* Beneficial algae propagation
* Tree planting
* Organic farming
* EcoVillage Low Impact Sustainable development
* Wildlife habitat restoration/protection
* Clean Waste Management (Plasma Conversion)
* Watershed Management

Sustainability is the key principle behind Earth Stewardship and on a human level it means implementing practices and technologies that include:

* Renewable clean energy (Solar, Wind, etc)
* Green Building
* Alternative clean fuel
* Environmental Protection
* Urban Homesteading
* Sustainable Cities Projects
* Water Conservation
* Sustainable Forestry
* Small Organic Farms

The above is just a partial list of the vast array of Earth Stewardship realms.  The simple act of recycling and picking up litter are also in the domain of Earth Stewardship.  

There is surprisingly very little written about Earth Stewardship online using that term but we believe more will be written as people everywhere continue with their organic awakening within the sustainability movement.   

History of Earth Stewardship

Indigenous peoples understood and practiced Earth Stewardship through their relationship with their environment and the organic limitations within their ecosystems. 

"For countless centuries we lived as one with the Earth. People were aware of the spiritual aspect of nature and the fact that we ARE nature and everything is connected. There was respect for the land, the heavens, the animals, the plants and even the stones. It was common knowledge that everything was imbued with spirit. When we ate animals or took down a tree it was done with the greatest respect and care for the entity. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered up and every part of the entity was used in respect for the life form giving itself for the nourishment of mankind." ~David Weisner from 'Indigenous Peoples Hold The Key To Our Survival  

In the Post Industrial Age the global human family has been seeking, learning about, and reviving lost wisdoms as well as inventing, researching, and implementing new technologies that are geared towards the healing and regeneration of whole planetary systems and structures. 
 
The Planet Earth Scouts family is a community of Earth Stewards who are connected through a common desire to co-create a sustainable and healthy world for future generations.  Their individual and collective actions are bringing definition to the term Earth Stewardship and their efforts are weaving a tapestry of planetary healing.  









Saturday, May 12, 2012

Badges for the 4 Pillars of the Earth Charter


Moving forward with unbending intent Planet Earth Scouts community has published under creative commons license the first official badges for the 4 Pillars of the Earth Charter.  

Earning badges is the number one fun activity for Planet Earth Scouts.  Planet Earth Scouts is about learning 'sustainable stewardship' and the 4 Pillars of the Earth Charter provide a framework to develop learning activities that will enable children and adults to learn about values and principles of sustainability.  But sustainable living is also about various technologies and practices that are specifically related to food, water, shelter, and energy. 

The 4 Pillars of the Earth Charter are:
  1. Respect & Care for the Community of Life
  2. Ecological Integrity
  3. Social & Economic Justice
  4. Democracy & Peace
The first Pillar, 'Respect & Care for the Community of Life is 4 basic commitments:

1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.

2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love.

3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.

4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty for present and future generations.

The Charter then reads:  "In order to fulfill these four broad commitments, it is necessary to:"...and then follows the next 3 Pillars. 

So how can these 4 Pillars be translated into activities that Badges are earned?  It is possible to use these 4 Pillars as exactly what they are called - pillars that uphold a structure that represents sustainable stewardship.

Join the Planet Earth Scouts Community Network and download the images and share your badge ideas and become a part of the ongoing effort to build and create a vibrant Planet Earth Scouts program!  Badges as buttons and other Planet Earth Scouts merchandise are also available for sale in the Planet Earth Scouts store.  Proceeds go toward managing, developing, and administrating the community network. 

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Spring 2012 - New Beginnings

Greetings Planet Earth Scouts Community!
Happy Spring!  Late Monday night and Tuesday (depending on where you live) the Vernal Equinox happened and spring is officially upon us! 
What a journey it has been for our team since we dissolved association with the ECUS board of directors and committed to support and facilitate the evolution of this community's vision and purpose.

During the fall/winter our team moved our headquarters to a new location - we manage our projects within our home so that meant moving horses, goats, outbuildings, trees (yes we uprooted trees), plants, rocks, and even dirt (20 yards of pristine compost).  So that is why we have not had any time to work with this community until now.  

We feel this lapse in time and activity on this network served to allow everyone within the Planet Earth Scouts community to re-orientate and we received communications from many members who were going through a great deal of changes in their lives as well.  These times we live in require us to be highly adaptable and fluid as our culture transitions to new sustainable models, systems, and structures.   We are committed to seeing Planet Earth Scouts emerge as it was originally intended - a program that provides a way for children/youth and even adults to participate in the fundamental shifts towards a just, peaceful, and sustainable world - and having fun while it happens!  
We will be resuming regular monthly broadcasts in the community, blog posts, and updates and we look forward to hearing about any activities you have been doing!
Cheers
Daniel & Darlene Cavallaro
"Dandarius'
Planet Earth Scouts Sponsors/Admins