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’s Focus:
Eating Sustainably
Why is Eating Sustainably Important?
Picture this: you’re hungry and craving a snack. What do you immediately reach for? Is it fast food or packaged snacks? I know I’ve definitely been there before— reaching for a ultra-processed food wrapped in plastic. But did you know that production of some foods can harm our environment? For example, large-scale agriculture can lead to deforestation, soil degradation and excessive water usage. Food waste produces methane in our landfills. However, by making small changes to the way we eat and shop, we can help reduce our environmental impact while still enjoying delicious and nutritious meals. Together, our food choices can make a big difference in creating a more sustainable future for our planet!
Tips and Tricks to Eat Sustainably:
You don’t have to completely change your diet to make a difference—small steps lead to big impacts! By gradually incorporating sustainable habits into your daily routine, you can help reduce food waste, conserve natural resources, and lower your carbon footprint—without sacrificing the foods you love! The more we choose environmentally friendly options, the greater the collective impact we can have on our planet. With that said, here are some easy and achievable actions to help all of us move toward more eco-friendly eating habits:
Reduce Food Waste.
Start by checking your fridge and pantry before grocery shopping to avoid overbuying. Try using leftovers creatively—like turning last night’s roasted veggies into a delicious soup or stir-fry. If you have excess food, consider donating it to local food banks instead of letting it go to waste.
Eat Less Processed Foods.
I know first-hand how difficult this can be, but processed foods often require extensive energy for production and come with excessive packaging waste. Cooking from scratch with whole ingredients is a healthier, more sustainable option and it can save money too!
Eat More Plant-Based Meals.
Incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet, even once or twice a week, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Start small by swapping meat with beans, lentils, tofu, or mushrooms in your favorite dishes. It’s tasty and a fun way to try new things!
Choose Sustainable Seafood
Overfishing threatens marine ecosystems, but choosing sustainable seafood can help protect our oceans. Look for certifications like MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) or ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) to ensure you’re buying seafood from responsible sources.
Buy in Bulk and Reduce Packaging.
Many grocery stores offer bulk sections where you can buy grains, nuts, and snacks using reusable containers. This reduces waste from excessive plastic packaging and often saves money, too!
How to Incorporate Sustainable Eating in Your Nature Journal:
Pack plant-based, local snacks for journaling outings (like trail mix or fruit) to support low-impact food choices.
Document seasonal plants or foods in your journal to deepen awareness of local food systems. It’s a fun way to connect with what’s growing around you.
Try drawing your meals and noting where the ingredients came from. Local? Organic? Imported? The more you know, the more empowered your choices can be and you’ll be more aware of the food system’s environmental impact.
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.