LDS Earth Stewardship

Join us to June 18 at 7pm MT to hear from Dr. Josh LeMonte. Dr. LeMonte is a professor of environmental geochemistry at BYU. He will be talking to us about Earth's critical zone—the zone of Earth's surface extending from the vegetation to the soil and water underneath (in other words, where most of the life on Earth lives). We hope to see you there! Get the Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/3zIkuop

Please join us for our first In the Company of Stewards of 2025! In the Company of Stewards meetings hearken back to how a company of pioneers would circle their wagons for the night and gather together for uplifting and constructive conversation at the end of the long day. Join us this year as we learn from experts and everyday stewards about how they have personally integrated conservation and sustainability into their lives. On Feb. 18, we will be privileged to hear from Christie Nelson. Christie Nelson is a conservationist based in tropical South Florida. Five years ago she founded a non profit group called The Eco Scouts, which is a kids conservation club. She has worked with renowned scientists and conservationists such as Her Deepness Dr. Sylvia Earl, Wildlife Adventurer Forrest Galante, many National Geographic Explorers, and other Emmy winning conservationists. She has led her Eco Scouts as they have planted mangroves on newly created restoration islands, slogged through the swamps of the Everglades learning about native plants and animals, and kayaked through alligator infested waters to do a river clean up for one of the nations only designated wild and scenic rivers. In her free time she is a wildlife rescuer at an animal sanctuary and host of a primary children’s podcast with over half a million listeners. Her mission is engaging children in meaningful ways to build a better future. Christie will speak to us about Eco Scout projects and how to get kids excited and involved in earth stewardship. Register here to get the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/40VL5eH

Please join us for our first In the Company of Stewards of 2025! In the Company of Stewards meetings hearken back to how a company of pioneers would circle their wagons for the night and gather together for uplifting and constructive conversation at the end of the long day. Join us this year as we learn from experts and everyday stewards about how they have personally integrated conservation and sustainability into their lives. On Feb. 18, we will be privileged to hear from Christie Nelson. Christie Nelson is a conservationist based in tropical South Florida. Five years ago she founded a non profit group called The Eco Scouts, which is a kids conservation club. She has worked with renowned scientists and conservationists such as Her Deepness Dr. Sylvia Earl, Wildlife Adventurer Forrest Galante, many National Geographic Explorers, and other Emmy winning conservationists. She has led her Eco Scouts as they have planted mangroves on newly created restoration islands, slogged through the swamps of the Everglades learning about native plants and animals, and kayaked through alligator infested waters to do a river clean up for one of the nations only designated wild and scenic rivers. In her free time she is a wildlife rescuer at an animal sanctuary and host of a primary children’s podcast with over half a million listeners. Her mission is engaging children in meaningful ways to build a better future. Christie will speak to us about Eco Scout projects and how to get kids excited and involved in earth stewardship. Register here to get the Zoom link: https://bit.ly/40VL5eH

Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship is seeking submissions for an art exhibit at this year’s Fall Forum. Artwork of any medium or size that can be reasonably displayed on an easel in UVU’s library is welcome. For those who do not live in the Orem area, we will also have a virtual display, so digital submissions are also accepted--you don't need to live in the Orem area. We are also hosting a children’s art division! If any of the children in your life would like to submit a piece, we encourage them to do so. The theme of this year’s Forum is “In this Beautiful World” which comes from an LDS primary song—we’d love to showcase what earth stewardship means to the rising generation. Artwork can again be displayed in person or digitally. For more information about the art show, please go here: https://bit.ly/4e8I9Rp

Join us on November 2 for our Fall Forum, "This Beautiful World: Preserving our Planet for Future Generations"! Events at the Fall Forum include: -art exhibit featuring earth stewardship-themed art from children and adults -address from Elder Larry Echo Hawk, emeritus General Authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -presentation of Steward of the Year award -light refreshments Reserve your spot by getting free tickets here: https://bit.ly/4dqZEMr Hope to see you there!

We are excited to hear from Kathryn Knight Sonntag on August 20 at In the Company of Stewards. She will be discussing the tree of life, a universal symbol of the cosmic structure. Join us for an overview of trees of life from around the world and a discussion of their ecofeminist theological implications. Get Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/3zIkuop Kathryn Knight Sonntag is the author of?The Mother Tree: Discovering the Love and Wisdom of Our Divine Mother?(Faith Matters Publishing), winner of the 2022 BIBA Literary Award in Non-Fiction: Religion, and?The Tree at the Center?(BCC Press),?a 2019 Association for Mormon Letters Awards finalist in Poetry and Criticism.?In 2020, her article “The Mother Tree: Understanding the Spiritual Root of Our Ecological Crisis” was nominated for the Geisner & Mogg Best Theological Article Award by the John Whitmer Historical Association.?Her poetry has appeared in?Image Journal,?Colorado Review,?Exponent II,?Segullah,?Dialogue,?Rock & Sling,?Blossom as the Cliffrose: Mormon Legacies and the Beckoning Wild?(Torrey House Press, 2021), and others.?Her MLA thesis focused on the role of the transcendent in landscapes and greatly informs her creative pursuits.?Kathryn works as a landscape designer and land planner for Salt Lake City and serves as the poetry editor for?Wayfare Magazine. Get Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/3zIkuop

Join us to June 18 at 7pm MT to hear from Dr. Josh LeMonte. Dr. LeMonte is a professor of environmental geochemistry at BYU. He will be talking to us about Earth's critical zone—the zone of Earth's surface extending from the vegetation to the soil and water underneath (in other words, where most of the life on Earth lives). We hope to see you there! Get the Zoom link here: https://bit.ly/3zIkuop

Today, I want to express my gratitude to my mentor, Chloe Mills, and the LDS Stewardship for providing me with such a wonderful opportunity through my internship. Working with the LDS Earth Stewardship has been an amazing experience. I enjoyed writing blog posts, creating TikTok videos, and attending the Company of Stewards on Zoom. I want to especially thank Chloe Mills for her invaluable guidance and support. Chloe's mentorship has inspired me to advocate for environmental awareness in new ways. I also want to thank the Provo School District CTE Internships for facilitating this opportunity. LDS Earth Stewardship Provo School District CTE Internships Chloe Skidmore Mills