Why Nature…
Life Support. The very breath we take, the water we drink, the food we eat—all provided by the planet on which we reside. So closely intertwined and yet hardly a thought or a thank you. In fact, many people seem to ignore nature and pretend we don’t rely on it until a crisis occurs such as increasingly violent storms, multiple hurricanes, unsafe drinking water, and poisoned food.
Healing. Nature therapy is now promoted by psychologists, doctors, and mainstream news as an antidote for the stress killing us all. There is a feeling of true peace that comes over you when you get out in nature that you really can’t get anywhere else.
Beauty. As my father’s daughter, I grew up in nature. Family vacations were in National Parks and Forests and wilderness areas. I was awed by the wondrous beauty of mountains, forests, lakes, and clear-running rivers. My family home was on three natural acres. Playing with my sisters in our wild backyard and in the nature park at the end of the street—chasing butterflies among wildflowers, and sitting in our backyard under a tall tree on the high river bank watching the creek flow through our property—listening to bird’s sing and wildlife chatter—these are peaceful moments I cherished then, and still cherish on outdoor excursions.
Reverence. I consider the earth sacred. I call her Mother Earth and honor her for her sustenance and acceptance of all things that make their home on her surface. I follow the Earth’s Seasons—almost forgotten as civilization has moved from agriculture to industrialization and people have moved away from their farms and ranches where they were closer to the land. I really respect the landowners of Texas Land Conservancy who want to keep their lands intact and in alignment with natural values.
Connection. When we extricate from our busy lives and explore the outdoors, we consider the beauty of it all and the close connection and underlying importance to our very lives, and are reminded of the imperative to save natural areas and natural resources for the benefit of all.
Eileen Fritz McKee has been a TLC Board Member since 2004. She is the daughter of TLC founder, Ned Fritz.
