Contributing to Conserving Nature

How can one person make an environmental difference? That’s simple, collaboration … with all of us rowing in the same direction!!  Given today's situation, with America's centralized power structure in DC seeming to favor extractive industries and fossil fuel interests over preserving our environment, maybe we environmentalists need to reframe our approach. Remembering the celebration of World Nature Conservation Day earlier this week, the ACES team wants to focus today’s column exploring what we can each do personally to contribute to the sustainability of our environment.

The Noah’s Ark story is about saving the earth’s creatures from a disastrous mega flood. Noah acted despite overwhelming odds building an ark that preserved pairs of earth’s animals and thereby ensured the continuation of life. Thinking about how one person can make their own personal ark, the metaphor of a dory or rowboat comes to mind. Noah's Ark represents a large-scale effort to rescue and conserve nature’s creatures; a simple dory or rowboat symbolizes the power of each individual whose daily actions can help protect the environment as a whole.

ACES believes that small collaborative efforts move the sustainability boat forward, just as small environmental actions contribute to step-wise positive environmental advances. We can help sustain nature by installing a rain barrel to reduce the impacts of our garden watering. We can plant a pollinator garden to help sustain pollinating insects and birds, even if it’s just a few native wildflowers on the margins of our yards. Our individual actions like composting and recycling means fewer landfills and greenhouse gases. We can conserve electricity, install solar panels, or buy green energy. Planting trees or native vegetation can help clean the air and better host natural wildlife systems. We can all be using reusable bags and water bottles more often. Walking, biking, or using public transportation is a good idea too. And why not take a MEVA bus between Amesbury and Newburyport for a small group outing someday with your kids or a few friends.

In Noah’s story, the Ark would require years of effort to build but would eventually save life on earth; likewise, one person‘s rowboat and everyday actions, applied over time can help save our environment for future generations. Both actions reflect hope and taking responsibility. Both require determination and faith in the future. So where does collaboration come in?

Small local actions can inspire others. Communities are formed by individuals with shared goals. Many “rowboats” working together can have an impact comparable to an Ark. We believe that environmental change begins with taking personal responsibility and individual advocacy. And we believe that many individuals rowing their boats in the same direction can make a big difference. Remember, collaboration is how difficult things get done.

One last example of the power of collaboration from history, there was no Noah’s Ark during those 10 days at Dunkirk when almost 340,000 WW2 British, French, and Belgian troops were stranded on the coast of France and about to be imprisoned or killed by German soldiers.  But, In June of 1940, a massive evacuation of the British and Allied troops did occur anyway. They were ferried out at great peril by over 800 naval and requisitioned vessels, and hundreds of small, private boats (The Little Ships), that sailed from England to Dunkirk to assist in the evacuation.

A lot of little rowboats can and will save our environment when they all head in the same direction with the same goals. ACES hopes that, as a maritime region and birthplace of the US Coast Guard, the metaphor of environmental rescue by individual coordinated rowboat-efforts may help capture your attention and motivate your actions. Please come “row together” with ACES and visit our website (below). Like Noah’s Ark, every person’s efforts contribute to protecting the planet.  It is inspiring to think that just as Noah answered a great challenge, each of you can “row” toward a healthier future through everyday environmental choices. We can conserve nature in our back yards and all the yards together will form linked eco-systems that save life on earth ... just like Noah did.

We invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter on ACES’ website. Please consider joining our community of stewards committed to Make Every Day Earth Day and subscribe to our Instagram and Facebook.

This educational column was originally published by The Daily News of Newburyport on July 31, 2026.