Enjoyment-Driven Conservation

Diversity in Conservation

Today, I was blessed to hear Judy Ling Wong 's presentation on EDI in Conservation as a Step Towards Global Collaboration through The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Wong represented Black Environment Network. I loved the energy and love of the work Wong brought to the group. I will reflect more and look at my work with a new lens of enjoyment, which felt like the centerpiece of the talk. Here are my main takeaways:

Engagement through Enjoyment and Accessibility

Environmental participation should start with enjoyable and accessible activities rather than jumping directly into volunteering and labor. Encouraging people to engage with nature through enjoyment, such as picnics, gardening, and cultural activities relevant to them, fosters a sense of love and connection to the environment. This approach leads to natural participation and eventual contributions to the environment.

Cultural Relevance and Inclusion

Effective engagement with minority communities involves understanding their unique perspectives on environmental participation and incorporating their cultural traditions and stories. By creating multi-faceted environmental projects that resonate with their cultural values and experiences, minorities feel a sense of ownership and belonging. This inclusive approach also benefits mainstream groups by enhancing intercultural relationships.

Reciprocity and Holistic Engagement

Environmental projects should consider social, economic, and ecological aspects, recognizing that these elements are interconnected. Building relationships and trust within communities is essential, focusing first on enjoyment and love for nature. Reciprocity should be introduced intuitively when people are ready, ensuring it arises naturally from established connections and a genuine desire to contribute. Consistent and visible engagement fosters a vision of a society where everyone feels they belong and can participate in enjoyable and meaningful ways.

Incorporating these insights into our work can significantly enhance our efforts in conservation and community engagement. By prioritizing enjoyment, cultural relevance, and holistic engagement, we can build stronger, more inclusive connections with nature and with each other. Let’s embrace these principles to create a more inclusive and vibrant future for conservation. Together, we can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to experience, love, and protect our natural world.

Breathing Room: The Role of Pauses

In our fast-paced world, the value of pausing often goes unnoticed. Yet, it's in these moments of stillness that we find the clarity and depth needed to fully process and understand our experiences. Recently, I participated in two sessions that underscored the profound impact of the pause.

The first was the fourth monthly session on Unlearning Patriarchy. Let me say, first, that these sessions are helping me see how embedded the patriarchy is in me, including the desire for urgency and solution. During the latest session, one participant requested a one-minute pause to process what had been said before heading into breakout rooms. This simple act of pausing, of allowing a moment to breathe and reflect, had a significant impact. I felt my body relax and sit with what was heard. When truly present, these short moments can feel expansive, offering the space to let new ideas and perspectives sink in, to be processed and integrated within our system. In this session, we also discussed the importance of moving from doing to being. The facilitator mentioned that there wasn't really a goal in this process, but a participant suggested that perhaps the goal is building relationships. This resonated deeply with me, as it highlighted the essence of the pause in fostering meaningful connections.

Later that evening, I attended a session with the Center for Purposeful Leadership where we discussed what they call the Arc of Recognition.

“When we are invited to speak our name and what is true for us, and we hear others do the same, an energetic shift predictably occurs that is?at once quite ordinary and simultaneously astoundingly transformative for the group.?There is power in being heard. However, the combination of speaking and listening deeply in a safe container produces a remarkable shift within a group that may be imperceptible to almost everyone but the Convener. Simply put, we experience being heard and "seen" as?who we truly are?while simultaneously seeing and hearing others for?who they truly are. This produces the effect of recognizing one another in an essential way.” https://centerfpl.blogs.com/cpl/2011/05/the-inner-game-of-convening.html

As stated above, this concept involves creating a space where people feel seen and, in turn, can see others. It emphasizes the importance of a safe and supportive container; one that fosters mutual recognition and understanding. Achieving this level of connection also requires pausing, being present, and cultivating a grounded space. Here again, the pause emerges as a vital component, enabling us to move from doing to being, and from action to connection.

I experienced the power of the pause.

Incorporating Pauses in Your Workplace and Meetings to Enhance Understanding and Relationships

• Start with a Grounding Exercise: Begin meetings with a brief grounding exercise. This can be a minute of mindful breathing or a quick body scan to help everyone become present and centered.
• Scheduled Pauses: Intentionally schedule pauses during longer meetings. These breaks allow participants to process information, reflect on discussions, and recharge.
• Reflection Moments: After significant points or presentations, pause for a minute or two for silent reflection. Encourage participants to jot down thoughts, questions, or insights.
• Mindful Transitions: Use pauses to mark transitions between agenda items. This helps participants mentally and emotionally shift focus, enhancing clarity and engagement.
• Encourage Silence Before Response: Normalize taking a moment of silence before responding to questions or comments. This practice promotes thoughtful and measured responses.
• Check-In Pauses: Periodically pause to check in with participants, asking how they are feeling or if they need any clarification. This fosters a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Gratitude Pauses: Incorporate moments of gratitude, where participants can silently appreciate something positive from the meeting or their work. This can boost morale and team cohesion.
• End with a Pause: Conclude meetings with a brief pause for participants to reflect on what was discussed and set intentions for moving forward.

Pausing is not about wasting time; it's about creating the space needed for deeper understanding and connection. It allows us to process and integrate our experiences, fostering a more mindful and intentional approach to life.

Incorporating these practices into the workplace can transform how you engage with one another. The art of the pause is a powerful tool for personal growth, emotional regulation, and building meaningful connections. By mastering this art, we can create a more thoughtful, compassionate, and connected world.

As you move through your day, remember to take your own moments to pause, breathe, and reflect. It is in these pauses that we find the space to truly see and be seen, to understand and be understood, and to create the kind of world we want to live in. This shift from doing to being, from achieving to connecting, is where the real transformation happens.

I encourage you to join Center for Purposeful Leadership to experience and learn more about the Art of Convening. https://www.cplcommunities.org/about

Connect with me

To bring my workshops around diversity, nature connection, mindfulness and other related topics, please see my website at https://anavahconsulting.com/services/workshops/.

In Other News

• I'm excited to listen to Maia Buschman tomorrow evening in her talk and video through Aldo Leopold Foundation entitled Never to Revisit: Aldo Leopold, Eco-Grief, and the Value of Wilderness. You can join at https://www.crowdcast.io/c/nevertorevisit. I am one of the three people Buschman interviewed for the piece. I found Maia to be a deep thinker and highly knowledgeable about Leopold. We can all learn from Maia's wisdom.
• I will be co-facilitating Leadership Launchpad for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies coming in September. It is a week-long program on developing the skills and growth plan for leadership throughout one's career in conservation. Look for more coming soon!