We have all heard-but perhaps not embraced nor acted upon- the old entreaties: "Love our mother" (Mother Earth or Mother Nature-your choice) and "Think globally, act locally". In these uncertain times, you can help define the issues that impact the Planet. Your zeal and enthusiasm, your actions, your enduring love can make a difference.

The future of the profession is YOU. Not just in the office (where you always Design With Nature just as Ian McHarg FASLA taught) but in your personal life - in your constant interaction with family and community - and it IS a global community. We are all passengers and crew on Spaceship Earth. Life support cannot go offline-or we will surely perish. As a trained crew member, here are some of your essential duties (read your manual and enter them in your log):

1. Make stewardship a cornerstone of your daily life.

2. Inspire and teach others to emulate you.

3. Be a disciple of environmental caring.

4. Become a global volunteer.

5. Attend local Planning Commission and

City Council meetings

6. Join and support organizations that care. Set your

search engine to find Web sites such as Sierra Club,

Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society and even

radical Greenpeace.

Our environment means more than trees and grass. It is everything around us, impacted by our habits, our cars, even our aerosol products. Every day we are confronted with choices that can change our world for better or for worse. There are environmental issues everywhere that affect our health, wealth and happiness.