In honor of Black History month, I will share earth-focused quotes by known Black environmentalists each Monday. My way of thanks and appreciation for my ancestors/peers that are making an environmental difference.
Today’s quote is by Dr. J. Drew Lanham – Alumni Professor of Wildlife Ecology at Clemson University. In addition, Dr. Lanham is the author of The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature and Sparrow Envy. I learnt about Dr. Lanham and other Black birdwatchers after the Central Park video of birdwatcher Christian Cooper (link to Dr. Lanham’s Vanity Fair discussion regarding the video). Additionally, I was blessed to listen to his recent Threshold Conversations and truly want to read his memoirs.
I wasn’t a fan when I was younger BUT my summers on our family farm began my quest to understand and finally maintain my small community garden plot – grateful for my grandparents making sure to provide us tiny nuggets of information. This is why I continually make sure that my children are partaking in outdoor activities. It is my way of passing along my appreciation and knowledge of the environment. My current sustainable actions are rooted in the hopes that my children and their children will get to admire and cherish natural habitats…as well they have an Earth to call home.
What are your thoughts regarding this quote?
References for this post/graphic
- Dr. Lanham’s The Home Place
- Dr. Lanham’s website
