New Year, Local Earth: Nature Conservation As a Way of Life

Want a New Year’s resolution you can actually keep?

Forthis Thoughtful Thursday talk, join Claire O’Neill (Earthwise Aware)

for an inspiring, practical program on protecting nature where you

live—through observation, stewardship, native plants, and

community-powered science. Hear real local stories of measurable impact,

and leave with doable actions for uncertain times. Q&A included.

How Can I Help the Planet in 2026?
In a time of political instability, climate anxiety, and ecological loss,

it can be difficult to know where to focus our energy. This talk explores how nature conservation can be lived as a daily practice rooted

in place, attention, and community, rather than as a distant or purely

political goal. Drawing

on Earthwise Aware’s work in participatory science, urban ecology, and

long-term monitoring, the talk shows how connecting deeply with local

ecosystems strengthens both environmental protection and civic

resilience. Through concrete stories of individuals and communities who

have made measurable differences in their neighborhoods, parks, and

watersheds, the talk illustrates how local action remains powerful even

when national and global systems feel overwhelming.The

presentation will reflect on practical ways people can engage with

native plants, wildlife, and seasonal cycles where they live, whether

through observation, stewardship, or community-driven science. It will

also address how caring for the natural world can be a grounding and

sustaining practice, offering meaning, continuity, and hope during

periods of social and political uncertainty.The

talk is designed to be accessible to people already active on

environmental and climate issues, as well as those seeking new ways to

align their values with everyday action. Time will be reserved for

questions and discussion, either during or following the presentation,

depending on what best suits the group.