It's Essential

If we save our wild places, we will ultimately save ourselves.

– Steve Irwin

I know I’m fortunate. I know I am one of the fortunate few to be able to go to these wild places, and meet these extraordinary people, and meet these extraordinary animals. It's a gift and it's very healing for me, it’s very magical for me.

My hope is that by sharing my stories I can help build a bridge and let the rest of the world know that these people and these animals and these wild places are out there and we have a responsibility. We have a responsibility to protect them and to speak for them. I don't know that everybody has to go. I mean if you have a chance to go, it's rare and it's very special, but even just knowing it's there—like the people in the Amazon or the Aboriginal people in Australia or the Indigenous people of the North— they have so much wisdom.

For thousands of years they've been protecting the earth and they've been good stewards. They know how to be in relationship with Creation in ways that I think my culture is disconnected from. I guess my plea is we need to trust that they have something to say. We need to give them space and we need to protect and make sure that their space is not infringed upon so they can live.

Even if we can't absorb their wisdom, just to trust and have faith that they know something that's absolutely essential for us and for the health of this planet.

I hope my stories can bring a bit of inspiration or some education or some of the awe and wonder so that, even in your own small circle, whatever piece of territory you occupy, you’re mindful of taking care of it—making sure there are trees growing and there are plants growing, there is green. And whatever wildlife belongs has room to live there too. I think it is essential. I know it is essential if we are going to survive.