Starting with Introductions
This is Strategic Nature, LLC’s first blog in our first newsletter. It feels like kind of a big deal. There is so much to say about the kind of company we are and what we hope to accomplish, but I am not going to be able to cover it all in a few paragraphs. For now, I will start with introductions.
I am Sarah C. Low, an ecologist, educator, environmental sustainability professional, and owner of Strategic Nature, LLC. I have many years of experience working in urban ecosystems and with the people who live, work, and recreate in urban ecosystems.
When I facilitate an in-person program or meeting, I start by having everyone introduce themselves either to the group or to the person next to them (depending on the size of the event). Introductions are a simple act that, in just a couple of minutes, create a foundation for future interaction and the start of a relationship between people who were previously strangers.
When I opt not to do it, I can always feel the difference. People talk to me rather than to each other, there is an unnecessary sense of formality that prevents the kind of vulnerability that leads to trust, and there is less laughter. And, let’s be honest, whether it is in our workplaces or our social lives, we could all use more joy and connection these days (and probably all days).
So, in the spirit of starting new relationships, I would like to introduce you to Strategic Nature, LLC, a consulting firm cultivating meaningful change, specializing in environmental and educational organizations. We work holistically at the the organizational, program, and individual levels, identifying manageable and sustainable opportunities for improvement.
At the organizational level, we help people make meaningful changes in their programs, program delivery, and workplace culture, so they can live up to the powerful social and environmental missions that they are trying to achieve.
There is so much that we can do to make the world, or our little piece of it, a better place. It can be hard to know where to start or which way to go. But, if we want to make meaningful change, we have to find a way forward that is manageable and sustainable. An objective, outside perspective can help people work out next steps. Being that outside observer and providing productive feedback is one way we can help organizations reach their goals.
“But, if we want to make meaningful change, we have to find a way forward that is manageable and sustainable.”
We also understand that organizations are made up of individuals, each with their own skills, goals, values, and needs. To achieve the mission of the organization and to build strong teams, the individuals in the organization need to feel that they are valued and that the work they do is important. Through coaching and facilitated team building activities, we help your team regain their sense of purpose and learn tools, like mindfulness, to build resilience. Resilient teams working with purpose make up the foundation of a successful organization.
Sometimes, your vision is clear, and your team feels valued, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day. For that reason, we also provide services to augment your organizational capacity.
These services include things like: leading educational programs, editing funding requests and communication materials, developing plant lists, and procuring plant materials. In this way, we can provide that additional capacity that helps you move your mission forward.
It might seem broad to talk about program development and plant procurement in the same space, but environmental sustainability is broad, and it requires that we understand the complexities of the biological, cultural, and social context where we work. Using a holistic approach, an ecosystem approach, allows us to see the interconnectedness of issues and better address the challenges in front of us.
Collectively, we have a lot of work to do to care and sustain the world around us. Let’s do it together.
