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Key to happiness
The photo above was captured on a recent Nature Sacred team outing to Mount Washington Arboretum in Baltimore, where daffodils were on glorious display. Standing amidst the blooming splendor, I was reminded of an article I recently read about what's reported to be the happiest country in the world — Finland. No surprise, really, that 90 percent of the public there considers nature to play an important role in their lives. Nature — a key to happiness.
With this first newsletter of 2023, I'm delighted to share evidence of the great progress we are making. Our 2022 Annual Report, released today, shares the many ways our community is growing, the footprint of Sacred Places is growing — and the movement to connect people with nature is growing.
In this issue, you'll also find a special Q&A with our new Board Chair, Pascal Mittermaier, in conversation with our Co-Founder, Kitty Stoner; updates on what's Springing Up around the Nature Sacred Network; a Profile in Giving with Karry and Jonathan Hatch; and we are introducing new faces among our staff and board.
As a member of this growing community to connect people with nature — you are touching more lives than you'll ever know.
With deepest gratitude for all,
Alden E. Stoner CEO, Nature Sacred
Annual Report: 2022 in 22 pages
Our 2022 Annual Report is a peek inside Nature Sacred and our Network. In it, we share more than figures that reflect growth (though there are plenty.)
We introduce you to names like Senator Izaah Knox, a new Firesoul, and Roberta's House, a grief counseling hub — people and places that are part of the growing movement to connect people with nature through Sacred Places. We show you how your support of this work through Enrichment and Enhancement Grants is helping ensure that existing Sacred Places continue to thrive.
For these stories & more — download the report.
A conversation with
our new Board Chair, Pascal Mittermaier
Driving through thick smog with his children into Milan. That's what woke in Pascal Mittermaier, who at the time was a director at the health care company, Roche, a clear realization: "I wanted to devote my time and energy to finding a way to care for people and the planet." He would later become the Founding Global Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy — and now, Nature Sacred’s Board Chair.
Get to know Pascal, Nature Sacred's new Board Chair, via a recent conversation with Nature Sacred Co-Founder, Kitty Stoner, as he shares his excitement over this new role and the opportunity to further explore the coupled benefits of nature and health.
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Pictured left: Pascal speaking at Nature Sacred's 25th anniversary celebration (Oct 2022).
Springing Up
in the Nature Sacred Network
Firesoul Gateway launches to support growing network of Firesouls
Last year, Firesouls from Topeka, KS, to Washington, D.C. shared that while time is limited, they are eager to maximize the benefits of the Network programs, events, and resources. In response, this January we launched the Firesoul Gateway, a comprehensive online portal. Here, they can view resources and ideas for activating their Sacred Places with programming and events, apply for grant funding to support these programs and other site needs, connect with one another, keep up to date on the latest Nature Sacred news and more.
Follow the jump to learn more about how Sacred Places are applying grant funding in creative ways. →
Who's new at Nature Sacred
We recently welcomed two new members to our Board — Elizabeth Kinney, former Executive Director of The Light House, a homeless prevention support center in Annapolis, (and Firesoul alumna); and Emily Moore, Vice President of Business and Commercial Operations for health care company, GestVision, Inc.
Meet Haylie Kim — our new Development Associate. Haylie is driven by cultivating authentic relationships with communities and sharing her love for nature with those around her. She has an educational background in Environmental Studies and brings several years of experience working in client relations, including her time at the YWCA Annapolis.
A profile in giving: Karry & Jonathan Hatch
Nature. For every person, the word calls to mind an image, a memory, a feeling. We all experience nature uniquely, while it also unites us. For Karry Hatch, those memories involve digging holes and catching crawdads; for Jonathan —it's a small pond that he's fished since childhood.
Nature for all
Planting the seeds for disability-friendly & inclusive connection Learn about Sacred Places that are offering resources that foster inclusion for people with intellectual and physical disabilities so they can fully access and enjoy nature.
An update on our commitment to DEI Learn how, as Nature Sacred has grown, we are codifying our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion as part of our long-standing commitment to equity in nature.
Nature Heals.
Help Communities Revive. Strengthen. Unite.
Help us extend our reach to more communities across the country.
Copyright © 2022 Nature Sacred, All rights reserved.
