What is Environmental Stewardship? 

By Michael Collins, Teravana

The definition of stewardship is supervising or taking care of something, such as an organization or property. In the case of environmental stewardship, we can think of the Earth as both the organization and the property. The idea of stewardship is a fitting concept to approach the wide-ranging effects of what we have come to call climate change. 

From building a garden on the balcony of your city apartment to leading a large-scale conservation project, stewardship is an important word to use because it allows all who want to play their part in bettering the environment an opening to get involved. 

No matter how dire the situation—radically changing weather events or the frightening fact a changing environment is putting our health at risk—we can take ownership in our way. And that can be empowering. 

An important outcome is also social cohesion: the more we are united and not divided, the better the chances of environmental and conservation initiatives taking hold. Stewardship could grow, sparked by the question or the thought of: what can I do? Or, what can I do that will not only help the planet but will also help my mindset or overall well-being? Like something I have to do.  

How can we become environmental stewards: 

• Take steps to reduce your carbon footprint: rigorous recycling, composting, installing solar panels
• Community-based outdoor projects
• Donate to nonprofits you believe in and want to be a part of
• Advocate for more sustainable policies at county, state, or federal level

   

And how this helps our well-being and resilience:

• Spend more time and have a deeper connection with nature
• Feel more responsible for your ecological actions as a result of a desire to engage in stewardship
• By not letting the world pass us by, gain a positive effect on your psychological well-being and resilience 

REFERENCES

Nova, Tayla. The Benefits of Environmental Stewardship. Resilience Institute. 2023. 

https://resiliencei.com/blog/the-benefits-of-environmental-stewardship