This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Nature Conservancy. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s a Wednesday morning in January and I am working harder than I would like to admit to keep up with my dad. The thermometer reads 22 degrees. But as we walk around the lake the cold, crisp air is barely felt through our warm clothing. It is a beautiful day and we talk about a variety of things including the way the surrounding prairie planting has changed throughout the fall and winter and the shift of the ice on the lake.
We, like many others, are blessed to take advantage of public lands. The local conservation of these public spaces is talked about often, and on a morning like this, I appreciate the work of organizations such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Their support for local conservation and protecting the natural world provides the promise that others can enjoy a morning like ours.

Have you visited The Nature Conservancy’s website, nature.org, lately? I was so impressed to see their work around the world, plus a detail of their work close to my home in Iowa. “Our vision for Iowa is healthy lands and water, plus sustainable agriculture that supports biodiversity and provides for the needs of Iowa and the world.”
In a place such as Iowa, their work helps to create the bridge and balance between agriculture and the preservation of natural lands. By fostering collaboration between so many concerned entities, helping shape practical policies, and safeguarding nature, The Nature Conservancy aligns many different interests for the good of our environment.

In addition to preserving natural resources, creating healthy environments for people is just as important. With two thirds of the world’s population expected to live in urban environments by 2050, the need to develop healthy cities is urgent. This can be easy to forget when looking out our windows at fields of corn, but seeing the sprawl of new homes where field once grew is a quick reminder. The Nature Conservancy sets a priority of helping to plan smart cities where humans and habitat can help preserve food and water.

It is painful to see the loss of natural resources around our world, but your support of The Nature Conservancy helps to move preservation efforts in the right direction. With scientists on the ground in more than 72 countries around the world, your gift helps to effectively conserve the most ecologically important lands, oceans, lakes and rivers. Now is the time to take action for our planet and donate today.
If our love and appreciation of the outdoors occurs only on warm sunny days, then we are missing out on an amazing part of the year to get outside. Have you taken the time to appreciate the shape and textures of your garden when it is covered with freshly fallen snow? As you take in the sights of winter I encourage you to support the work of The Nature Conservancy and their efforts to conserve our environment. I challenge you to think the same way and donate today to support tomorrow’s generations.
