​The 18th Protecting Mother Earth conference, sponsored by the Indigenous Environmental Network was held in Cherokee North Carolina. There were over 900 attendees from all over Turtle Island as well as representatives from indigenous nations in the Amazon Basin and the South Pacific.
 
The focus of the conference was on addressing degradation/desecration of Indigenous lands, ceded and unceded. The focus was on how to use Indigenous energies and solutions to help heal a hurting planet.  It was a powerful conference. Members and speakers addressed nuclear waste, incineration waste, protecting water, and working with the United Nations. The sense of inclusion and hospitality was strong. Member ate together. We enjoyed indigenous foods from around the Qualla Boundary area. This included deer, elk, foraged greens and traditional breads. In the evenings there were dances and concerts. There were purifying seats at night and the day started welcoming the Sun as we gathered around the Sacred Fire. This was a powerful conference. This video simply introduces the viewer to the conference, the land, and the atmosphere.
 
Our hosts were the Eastern Cherokee of North Carolina. We met on the land of the Qualla Boundary, the ancestral land of the Cherokee. The sessions were in tents. There were also teepees for meetings. The Sacred Fire was nurtured and protected 24 hours a day. A sweat lodge was built on the first day and used the remainder of the conference.
 
A few of the speakers and leaders included the Executive Director and founding member of the Indigenous Environmental Network, Tom B.K. Goldtooth (Dine), Eddie Saunsoki, IEN Digital and Social Media Coordinator (Omaha Nation), Mary Missy Crowe, IJT Organizer (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Mona Polacca, Indigenous Water Ethics Organizer (Havasupai, Hopi, Tewa), Michael Lane, Indigenous Sovereignty (Menomonee), Justice Peche, Secretary IEN Board of Director (Oneida), and Mary Lyons, Great Grandmother, elder, spiritual advisor, international climate advocate (Ojibwe).
 
Additional issues addressed included Indigenous Feminism, Indigenous Principles of Just Transition, and the United Nations COP 16.

​Perhaps one of the simplest joys for me was that I attended the conference with my youngest daughter, Kerri Pulley. She was an active and helpful assistant and it was fun watching her connect with others and Mother Earth. 
 
This was a diverse, spiritually grounded, inclusive gathering that valued science, allyship, and measurable goals. Following posts will include interviews with a number of the speakers and attendees. I cannot wait for the nest conference.
 

The 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions, held in Chicago, provided two foci I followed. These were Indigenous Peoples and Environmental Justice.
 
The Parliament is the premier interfaith organization in the world. In 2023 the Parliament convened with over 8000 attendees from 95 countries and represented 210 religions and traditions. I covered the plenary session, the Climate Crisis Assembly, the Amazon Summit, Sacred Fires, and many breakout sessions on climate change. However, not everything can be placed in a simple category.
 
Therefore, this post and video focuses on Service and Joy. Some projects are done because they are needed, others because they reflect the pillars of faith. Still some work is done because it serves others, but it also provides joy.
 
The Sikh langar, free meals provided to anyone, around the world, 365 days a year is an example. At the Parliament the world Sikh community provided free, vegetarian lunch, langar, for attendees every day. As you entered the tent you removed your shoes, you washed your hands and covered your head. As you entered the tent you were greeted by kirtan, sacred chanting. All sat on the ground and while strangers became friends, volunteers served food and drink. It was wonderful.
 
Franciscans spoke about their connection with all of nature. They were clear that Saint Francis of Assisi was more than just the “bird bath saint.” He recognized the interrelatedness of all creatures. This is crucial and foundational knowledge to begin healing a hurting planet.
 
 Zoroastrians provided services and talked about sacred elements. The priest I spoke to is also an environmentalist. I look forward to interviewing him in the future. Earth, air, and fire are sacred elements to Zoroastrians or Parsi. I was informed that plants, animals and humans are seen as Ahura Mazda’s perfect creations and need to be protected.
 
This is the Parliament in action, where faith is a verb, and the actions provide joy for those who receive service but also for those who provide it. 
 

​It is that time of year again, the time when Master Naturalists and volunteers to preserves, land trusts, and state and national parks train to participate in Citizen Science projects. Citizen Science is a standardized way for non-scientists to collect data, record the data and then report the data to the assigned university or agencies responsible for the project. For naturalists this may include gathering data on ecosystems, plants, animals, or the skies. There are tools and apps for many of the projects. There are protocols on how to gather data without harming the environment or species being studied. Eagle Marsh has several citizen science projects they participate in.
 
On March 19, 2025, at the white barn at Eagle Marsh, Nancy Kilduski provided training on Nest Box Monitoring. The lead agency for providing protocols and gathering reports is the Cornell Ornithology Lab. The Cornell Lab also provides a Code of Conduct. Nancy provides this training yearly. The data collected changes. Together with information collected regionally and nationally, this provides a picture for the Cornell Lab to assess the declining, increasing, or stabilizing populations of birds in North America.
 
The beginning of the 2025 training video uses video from Nancy’s 2024 training. This is due to technological issues to complicated to explain to the average reader (I forgot to push the record button).  One of the first differences between the last two trainings was in the trail nest box monitoring. Last year the boxes had mice nests that had to be cleaned out. This year the boxes were completely empty and ready for birds to begin nest building.
 
Little River Wetlands Project has five trails that total 35 nest boxes. This includes a trail at Arrowhead Preserve and at Eagle Marsh.
 
If you are interested in becoming a Nest Box Monitor but were unable to attend the March 15th training then please watch these videos and then contact LRWP. They can also give you information on other Citizen Science projects including Monarch Monitoring, Butterfly Monitoring, Bat box Monitoring, Turtle Tracking, and assisting with the Hoosier Riverwatch Testing.