Thoughts and Reflections I offer these observations: Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. (Albert Einstein) You can’t bounce off the walls if there are no walls: outdoor schools make kids happier—and smarter. (David Sobel) Nature-deficit disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature, among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of physical and emotional illnesses. The disorder can be detected in individuals, families, and communities. (Richard Louv) Inhale and absorb Nature’s elixir. May Nature Inspire, Inform, and Reward you! Note: All blog post images created & photographed by Stephen B. Jones unless otherwise noted. Please circulate images with photo credit: “©2024 Steve Jones, Great Blue Heron LLC. All Rights Reserved.” I am available for Nature-Inspired Speaking, Writing, and Consulting — contact me at steve.jones.0524@gmail.com Reminder of my Personal and Professional Purpose, Passion, and Cause If only more of us viewed our precious environment through the filters I employ. If only my mission and vision could be multiplied untold orders of magnitude: Mission: Employ writing and speaking to educate, inspire, and enable readers and listeners to understand, appreciate, and enjoy Nature… and accept and practice Earth Stewardship. Vision: People of all ages will pay greater attention to and engage more regularly with Nature… and will accept and practice informed and responsible Earth Stewardship. They will see their relationship to our natural world with new eyes… and will understand more clearly their Earth home. Tagline/Motto: Steve (Great Blue Heron) encourages and seeks a better tomorrow through Nature-Inspired Living! Steve’s Four Books I wrote my books Nature Based Leadership (2016), Nature-Inspired Learning and Leading (2017), Weaned Seals and Snowy Summits: Stories of Passion for Place and Everyday Nature (2019; co-authored with Dr. Jennifer Wilhoit), and Dutton Land & Cattle: A Land Legacy Story (2023) to encourage all citizens to recognize and appreciate that every lesson for living, learning, serving, and leading is either written indelibly in or is powerfully inspired by Nature. All four of my books present compilations of personal experiences expressing my deep passion for Nature. All four books offer observations and reflections on my relationship with the natural world… and the broader implications for society. Order any from your local indie bookstore, or find them on IndieBound or other online sources such as Amazon and LifeRich. I began writing books and Posts for several reasons: I love hiking and exploring Nature I see images I want to (and do) capture with my trusty iPhone camera I enjoy explaining those images — an educator at heart I don’t play golf! I do love writing — it’s the hobby I never needed when my career consumed me Judy suggested my writing is in large measure my legacy to our two kids, our five grandkids, and all the unborn generations beyond And finally, perhaps my books and Blogs could reach beyond family and toucLand Trust NA 11.25.24 Wade Mountain NP, Three AMigos