Fostering a connection between people and nature is essential for both personal well-being and environmental stewardship. By collaboratively creating steppingstones of engagement, we can guide individuals through meaningful experiences that deepen their appreciation and understanding of the natural world. This approach involves designing accessible, enjoyable, and educational activities that gradually build a stronger bond with nature. Through teamwork and shared efforts, we can inspire a collective love for the environment, thereby encouraging sustainable behaviors and a lifelong commitment to protecting our planet.
In the image, we see a group of individuals standing together in a creek, clad in wetsuits and ready for an adventure. This scene captures the essence of community connections—people coming together to share an experience, support one another, and build bonds that go beyond the activity at hand.
The creek, with its flowing water, symbolizes the journey of life, where we encounter both calm and challenging moments. By participating in this shared experience, these individuals are not only enjoying nature but also strengthening their sense of community. Whether they're friends, family, or newcomers to each other’s lives, the simple act of being together in this natural setting fosters camaraderie and mutual respect.
Such moments remind us that community is built through shared experiences, trust, and collaboration. As they navigate the creek together, they are also navigating the deeper waters of connection, learning to rely on each other and discovering the strength that comes from unity.
Honeycomb Communities: Understanding the Varied Designs of Bee Hives
Many bee species can be seen in the United States, and many are non-native. It is common to associate the honeycomb or hexagon shape with all bees when that’s not always the case! Bees native to the United States do not create hives with honeycomb structures. Most of our native bees live in the ground or in wood. Additionally, many native bees are solidary.
CCA was created to uplift the USFWS’ collective ability to effectively engage and connect with communities. One of the most critical parts to do this effectively is knowing and relating to the community accordingly.
