What Does Stewardship Mean to Us?
At Northern Rockies Nature Journaling, stewardship is at the heart of our mission. We believe in using nature journaling as a way to inspire individuals to care for and protect the environment. We can’t appreciate the beauty of nature without actively contributing to its preservation, which is why we want to have a highlighted focus on stewardship. As people engage with nature and with each other, we hope to inspire lasting stewardship that will benefit the environment we all share.
This Month’s Stewardship Focus:
Reducing Energy Use
Why is Saving Energy Important:
Energy powers almost everything we do—lights, heat, transportation, electronics, and more. But using too much of it, especially from non-renewable sources like coal and gas, contributes to pollution and climate change. It also puts a strain on natural resources and can increase costs for households and communities. When we save energy, we help reduce harmful emissions, protect the planet’s resources, and create a cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. The great news? It doesn’t take huge changes to make a big difference. Every bit of energy saved adds up over time and helps build a more sustainable future!
Tips and Tricks to Conserve Energy:
Turn off lights when you leave a room.
It’s a classic tip for a reason! If no one’s in the room, the lights don’t need to be on. Lights that are left on when no one is using them waste energy—and that adds up quickly throughout the day. Make it a habit to flick the switch on your way out. Additionally, during the day you can let in natural light from open blinds and curtains to brighten your space without flipping a switch.
Unplug electronics when not in use.
Even when turned off, many electronics still waste energy. Unplugging chargers, laptops, and devices helps save what’s known as “phantom energy” — where turned off devices still use small amounts of power. By unplugging them when you’re not using them (or using a power strip that you can switch off), you stop that waste from happening and save energy without even noticing a difference in your routine.
Along the same lines, try reducing screen-time if you can! Take breaks from TVs, tablets, and computers—not only is it good for your health, but it also saves electricity.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
How many stewards does it take to change a bulb? Swapping out older incandescent bulbs for LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs is an easy and cost-effective ways to reduce energy use. LEDs use up to 80% less electricity and can last years longer than traditional bulbs. That means fewer replacements, lower energy bills, and less strain on power plants—all from just changing a lightbulb!
Carpool, bike, or walk when possible.
Cars burn fossil fuels, which release greenhouse gases into the air and contribute to climate change. By sharing rides with others, biking, or even walking for short trips, you’re helping reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, and fuel use. Even cutting out just one or two car trips a week makes a difference over time—not to mention it’s healthier and often more enjoyable!
Spread the word!
Talk to family and friends about easy ways to use less energy. When more people pitch in, the positive impact grows!
Saving energy doesn’t mean living in the dark or giving up your favorite devices. It’s all about making small, mindful choices that reduce waste and protect our environment. Every light switched off, every ride shared, and every unplugged device helps create a more sustainable world—for ourselves and future generations. Let’s make energy conservation a part of our everyday routine!
How to Incorporate Cut Down Energy Useage in Your Nature Journal:
Journal outside when you can! Natural light is free, refreshing, and can add a more realistic coloring to your images.
Go unplugged when you journal! Put your phone on airplane mode or DND when you’re outside to be more present and save phone battery!
Instead of browsing nature drawings online, observe real-life plant and animals from your own backyard. You’ll engage with nature better and cut down on screen time!
Community Efforts:
Because we’re all in this together!
So, how did you do?
Email us your stewardship story for a chance to get featured on this website!
Did you try any of our tips, and if so, how did they work out? Did you have any other tips that we didn’t mention?
More Resources
More Resources
Interested in learning more about how to be a good environmental steward?
Check out these websites for more info!
https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
Use this to get informed, find volunteer opportunities, take online action, or donate! Check out their “Research” page! They have articles on any environmental issue you’re interested in to learn more about what can be done.
While this website is intended as a resource for teaching environmental studies, it still offers so many resources that anyone can utilize. Learn about their initiatives (with articles, quizzes, toolkits, etc.) and see what action you can take.
https://earth911.com/category/
On this site, you can listen to podcasts, read “featured courses”, learn how to live sustainably, and take action all in one place! Most importantly, they have so many tips to offer on how to be better stewards; you’ll definitely be able to implement something in your daily life.