By chance, I came across the Fall 2026 issue of Nature Conservancy Magazine. The cover proclaimed, “Celebrating 75 Years.” I thought, certainly this milestone deserves a post on my blog, a blog that regularly promotes and celebrates various aspects of nature such as: water, trees, seeds, flowers, the sun, the moon, sea turtles, and Jesus’ great love for nature.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) began in 1951 when a small group of individuals joined together to try to protect nature in a new way–through direct action. Their first major opportunity came when they learned that 60 acres of the Mianus River Gorge near Bedford, New York was going to be sold to a developer. An hour’s drive north from Manhattan, the Mianus River Gorge is “lined with towering 350-year-old hemlocks that shelter flying squirrels, tree frogs, and bobcats.” Local community members protested the sale of this beautiful spot. The owner told them he would sell the property to them if they could come up with his asking price: $30,000. The people organized bake sales, pledged their life-insurance policies, and approached the newly formed TNC for help. Working together, the groups purchased the 60-acre property and forever protected it. In that instant, “a new kind of global movement was born.”
Today the TNC reaches all 50 states and is working in 83 countries and territories with a team of over 1,000 scientists. It has conserved more than 125 million acres of land and 2.3 billion acres of ocean area–“cumulatively protecting an area the size of the entire United States.” Such success has come despite growing threats “from geopolitical shifts to volatility in public funding,” says Jennifer Morris, CEO of TNC. “These threats are growing more urgent and more complex: Climate change and biodiversity loss are not distant, theoretical challenges–they are here and now.”
The fact that TNC has survived for 75 years is certainly good news. So I decided to search the web for other pieces of good news concerning conservancy and our environment. I found several websites that share a wealth of positive news in this area. One website is even called “Happy Eco-News.” Here are just a few items I found intriguing, encouraging, and even inspiring.
9,000 milkweed plants for migrating Monarch butterflies were recently planted along 6 roads in North Florida counties providing a new migration highway for these cherished and threatened butterflies. Thousands more milkweed plants will be planted in the future.
Iberian lynx rebounded from fewer than 100 individuals in 2002 to over 2,000 individuals today.
Solar power outstripped coal generation in the US this year for the first time on record.
Tap water in rural India: 6 years ago only 1 in 6 homes in rural India had a tap water connection. Today 4 out of 5 do. In 6 years, India has connected 124 million rural homes to tap water.
Rainforest biodiversity in Ecuador’s Choco region rebounded 90% in just a single generation.
The world’s first carbon-negative bus shelter was installed at Bangkok University. Bus shelters are usually made of steel and glass. But a Swedish solar company built one by combining solar energy panels with carbon storing wood. The shelter stores more carbon than was emitted during its entire manufacturing and construction process.
Combining noise barriers with solar panels. A company in Canada (Mitrex) is integrating noise barriers with solar panels. The barriers reduce traffic noise while the solar panels produce clean electricity. A one mile stretch of these unique sound barriers produces enough electricity to power 50 homes!
The European Union leads the world in producing electricity from renewable sources (wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal). In 2026, renewable sources produced 46% of Europe’s electricity. (The US produces about 26% from renewable sources. Two factors that challenge the U.S. are our “car culture” and our “sprawl.”)
Growing food under roof top solar panels. Jennifer Bousselet, assistant professor of horticulture at Colorado State University, leads pioneering research by growing food under elevated solar panels on city skyscraper rooftops. The technique (called rooftop agrivoltaics) works because the solar panels protect the plants from intense urban heat while the transpiring plants help cool the solar panels to improve their efficiency. On one rooftop, she and her research partners have a 3,000 square foot garden growing a variety of food-producing plants. Currently 1/2 of the world’s population live in urban areas. By 2050 an estimated 2/3 of the population will do so. Supplying food for those cities will be a major challenge. Bousselet says Denver alone has 5,000 acres of suitable rooftops for growing food in this way. Each acre is capable of producing 5,000 pounds of food. So even if only 1,000 acres of rooftops are used, they could produce 5 million pounds of food for the city’s inhabitants.
And finally, The Nature Conservancy preserves protected space for the environment and for people. California’s Marin Headlands is a ridgeline overlooking San Francisco Bay. It is now a preserved space for animals such as raptors and bobcats, while simultaneously being one of the most widely visited parks in the U.S. Today more than 13 million human visitors come to this recreation area each year. Hawk Hill in the park offers one of the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
For reflection:
Did anything stand out for you in this reflection?
What other good “Eco-News” have you heard about recently?
Have you personally visited and enjoyed preserved areas near your home or elsewhere in your country or world? Would you recommend any of these areas to others?
Are you actively involved in preserving nature for future generations?
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PS: You’re invited to our annual Chricken BBQ & Boutique: at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin High School, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. I’ll be in the “Book Nook” (in the cafeteria) from noon until 3:00. Stop by and say “hi.” I’d love to meet you!
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Here is a prayerful video that presents scenes of nature accompanied by this verse from scripture: “Be strong and courageous, for I am with you.” May you hear God saying these words to you today for whatever you need strength for at this time in your life.
I welcome your comments below!
36 Responses
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
(Still in Italy!)
With the recent dire warnings about AI, I so needed to read your blog this morning. Right now I’m looking at an Italian Stone Pine. It is so majestic with its wide green canopy that offers shade, beauty, and pine nuts for both birds and people! Today may we all pick something in nature and gaze upon it. Thank you, Melannie!
Thank you. Especially for the nature video. I passed along to a friend in need of this encouragement.
Vivian, How thoughtful and supportive it was of you to share the video with a friend… Melannie
John, What a wonderful suggestion: to gaze upon something in nature today. Today is the last day of my vacation with an SND friend of mine. We’re nestled in the Kentucky hills overlooking Lake Cumberland. There are so many things to gaze upon here–the lovely Lake below in the distance, the amazing variety of trees, and even an eagle! But our favorite gazing time has been beneath the canopy of stars. There’s very little light pollution here, so the stars are bright, abundant, and magnificent. They leave us speechless before we go to bed at night and the first thing in the morning as we sit together on the deck in the dark (and in our jammies), sipping our coffee in complete silence… Melannie
Good morning. Thank you for the inspiration provided in your blog – it’s amazing how the beauty and simplicity of nature can ground me. There are several areas where I live that are “saved” although some are in danger of “progress”. The video was very relaxing and the repeated message calmed me. Thank you for sharing your findings. Have a blessed week.
Celeste, I like your words, “it’s amazing how the beauty and simplicity of nature can ground me.” I add an enthusiastic “Amen!” to that. Thank you for your positive response to today’s blog! It’s alwaays good hearing from you! Melannie
Thanks for sharing the good work of TNC!
You’re welcome, Kathleen! I was impressed by their work! Melannie
We are so blessed in Ohio to have the Metro Parks system providing so many beautiful & well preserved parks within close walking or driving distance. God bless those who work in the parks and those who visit every day. Many of us have our own nature preserve in our own back yards.
God bless the remarkable individuals mentioned in your blog that have done amazing work to help maintain and protect the many gifts God has provided in nature. Thank you Melannie for calling them to our attention.
Loretta, Yes, Ohio has some incredible parks–especially in northeast, OH. The parks form “the emerald necklace” around Cleveland–thanks to previous generations who preserved those lands for wildlife and for human enjoyment. Thanks for reminding us of these great gifts! Melannie
How wonderful it is that all those milkweed plants are being planted along roads in northern Florida for the migrating butterflies.
Sharon, Yes, the monarchs can’t survive without it! Our park system was giving milkweed plants away for people to plant them in their yards. My nephew planted 2 plants and had two monarch chrysalises who successfully reach maturity and flew away! What a beautiful lesson for his two young boys–and his elderly aunt! Thanks for your words, Sharon. Melannie
Thank you Sister for your consciousness raising reflection about our environment as seen through the good work of TNC.
Fr. Richard Rohr has spoken of St. Francis of Assisi as the first environmentalist.
St. Francis viewed nature as a reflection of God’s presence. He referred to it as “The First Bible”, advocating for a spiritual relationship with creation that respects and nurtures it.
Fr. Rohr notes that Francis’s approach to the environment is foundational to contemporary ecological spirituality, inspiring movements like TNC that are focused on environmental justice and preservation as your reflection details.
Mike
Mike, Thank you for reminding us of St. Francis’ contributions to our apreciation of creation. Little wonder we see so many statues of St. Francis in people’s yards and flower gardens! Melannie
Dear Friends of Melanie,
WOW! Really pretinent info and research.
Mucho Gracias ❗
I just this afternoon visited a backyard Beehive. 2 boxes with over 60,000 bees in residence. As September moves on, they are prepping for the winter season. Outside all through the Colorado weather.
We are here celebrating our daughter’s 50th Birthday. Back to Minnesota by Thursday.
We drive through the Sand Crane flyway which is magnificent.
Being aware of all of God’s gifts. Especially today as we lift high The Cross of Christ ‼️☘️💞
Herb, How wonderful it must have been to see beehives in person… and then to witness the Sand Crane flyway! You and your family seem blessed with a great appreciation of nature! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! Melannie
I loved the music video and found it to be in perfect timing with my 13th chemo treatment. The eco facts you included showed a great deal of interested people over the years helping each other in poor countries as well as God’s creatures to survive and thrive.
Thank you!
Pat, I’m so sorry to hear about your 13th chemo treatment. I can understand why you appreciated the music video… I’m sure my readers will join me in praying for you during this time… May you hear God saying to you, “I am with you….” Melannie
Thank you Sr. Melanie. I love your message about nature conservancy which must be a priority for everyone. Getting our children and grandchildren involved now will help to ensure that they can enjoy nature in the future.
Please check out https://www.savethetreecanopy.org/ to find out more about our organization’s efforts to save mature trees.
Thank you for the moving video. It’s just what I needed to hear this morning.
Tere, Thank you for including the link to your organization “Save the Tree Canopy.” I checked it out and was inspired by how a small group of dedicated individuals is making a difference about important issues of our current times. I hope all our readers will click on your link and becme inspired and maybe even involved… Melannie
So encouraging to hear positive environmental news – when so much of our protected land is being removed from protected status and used commercially.
Cathy, Yes, this is a timely topic… We need good news to help us make wise choices and to give us hope. Thank you for your words… Melannie
This is such a timely and concerning article. I’m deeply troubled to hear that President Trump is considering transferring a portion of Yosemite National Park to facilitate development. It’s hard to understand the thinking behind such a proposal. Has he ever experienced the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite firsthand?
Donna, Unless we experience “the breathtaking beauty” of nature firsthand, we probably will not be moved to preserve it. That’s why it’s so important to facilitate such experiences even to children… and to give ourselves such experiences throughout our lives… Thank you for your comment. Melannie
What stood out for me is how grateful I am for the pioneers of the TNC and the others who bring “Happy Eco-News”. Their dedication has been so vital. In the county where I live in Colorado, starting in the 1970s, citizens voted to tax themselves to use the money to buy and preserve open space for all to enjoy. Those taxes are still in place today and renewed regularly by the vote of the citizens. Because of the pioneers with this vision, we now have public land close to home for nature and humans to benefit from. I hope I can be considered actively preserving nature for future generations by voting for open space taxes and donating to TNC.
I am also grateful for Pope Leo’s messages about our moral obligation to care for creation.
Melannie, Thank you for telling us about the citizens in your county deciding back in the 1970’s to tax themselves to buy and preserve open space for all to enjoy. Wow! What a beautiful example of contributing to the “common good”–which is really the purpose of taxes in the first place! We citizens pay taxes and elect representatives in congress to oversee how that money is spent for “the common good”–whether health care, security, education, maintenance of infrastructures, etc… Your second last sentence highlight two ways we can help “preserve nature for future generations”: voting and donating to organizations like TNC… And yes, the last two Popes have underscored that care for creation is a moral obligation. Thanks for writing, my dear niece! Melannie the aunt
The video and song are wonderful- thank you.
Your welcome, Patt! Melannie
The car culture in America is the backbone of our most severe problems in this country, most notable individualism and go-go-go. It doesn’t have to be this way. Not having a car slows life down and puts meaning in the small things, which are the most importsnt things, just being.
Brandon, Our car culture is certainly something to reflect on… as is our stress on individualism and our “frantic” pace. Thank you for your words. Melannie
Loved this song and video.
Kathy, So glad the video spoke to you. Melannie
I loved your uplifting blog today. Good eco news feeds my spirit and I appreciate your focus on this. After spending time yesterday in nearly 100 degree heat with my extended family in Kentucky at our annual reunion, your research and video brought cooling relief to my body and soul! Thank you, Melanie! 🫶
Stephanie, Like you, I needed some good news in this important area of life. I’m glad the good news “brought cooling relief to your body and soul!” A nice way to express it! Thank you! Melannie
thank you for amazing song and pictures.. Sister Melannie , my favorite NDA freshman teacher back in 1968!
Barb Bennett KovacicNDA72 and Barb Brandt St. Gabriel are looking forward to your PA retreat. I will be in Kansas for 2 weeks helping with 8 grandchildren there; Regina Coeli Hybrid homeschool 🥰📿So Blessed all 11 grandchildren love their Catholic faith. Our son, patrickrohearn.com loves his ministry writing Catholic books. So Blessed
Oh my, there is so much good stuff to know and to appreciate. Our neighborhood patio party tonight was expressing how much NOISE we have to put up with: anbulence sirens, hot-rod cars, police sirons. So to think of the possibility of cominbing noise filters with solar panels sounds delightful as well as some of the others. Thanks so much! Hope the Bar-B-Que went well — I followed the weather report — it looked like a great day!