Conservation: Our Vision & Goals

“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” - Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold

VISION: We envision a region where equitable access to nature is the norm and communities are resilient in the face of a changing climate.  We envision a future where humans live in harmony with the natural world, recognizing that our well-being is intricately linked to the health and vitality of ecosystems.

PURPOSE: We strongly support the intrinsic value of nature as our basic reason for doing conservation. It is our love for all species on this Earth, and the beauty of our natural habitats, that keeps us motivated every day to WORK on behalf of nature.

The future of humanity lies in cities. Making them sustainable, livable and resilient is everyone’s business. The complex layers of community, infrastructure and natural systems in cities present new challenges and opportunities for conservation work. We approach urban conservation as a community development process that seeks to balance the diverse needs of human and ecological systems and relies upon partnership, planning, and continued community engagement. 

Through educational programs and training, public campaigns, and community engagement projects, CGC aims to inspire individuals and communities to become active stewards of the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and a lasting connection to nature.

CORE VALUES: Our core values are at the heart of everything we do here at the CGC. We are inclusive, passionate, empowering, responsible and innovative. Our beliefs drive us towards our vision and direct our activities in our Conservation program.

  • We believe that everyone, everywhere has the right to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

  • We believe that nature is an inspiring and mobilizing force for good.

  • We believe that education is the first step toward positive personal and systems change.

  • We believe that a healthy and diverse ecosystem is one that provides abundant and beneficial services to its constituents, such as food, water, shelter, economic livelihood, recreation, and natural beauty.

  • We believe that how we work together is as important as the work we do.

  • We believe that collective action is imperative for conservation systems change.

OUR LEARNING GOALS

The core of our work is fostering healthy relationships for people of all ages with plants, nature and community. Our learning goals support those essential relationships, which are interconnected and reflect one another.

  • Raising awareness: Helping people understand the importance of the environment and its ecosystems 

  • Building empathy: Teaching people to care for the environment and its inhabitants 

  • Developing critical thinking skills: Helping people evaluate environmental issues and make informed decisions 

  • Promoting sustainable practices: Teaching people how to reduce their negative impact on the environment 

  • Inspiring action: Encouraging and educating people on how to take action to protect the environment 

  • Creating resilient communities: Helping people build communities that are better able to withstand environmental challenges

Get Involved

If you’d like to be a part of working toward these goals and vision with us, learn more about our Conservation program and find your place!