Thoreau's maxim, "In Wildness is the Preservation of the World" underpins PAN's conservation philosophy.  Wildness, Nature and its creative forces, has produced the magnificent array of plants and animals alive today.

Tragically, biologists tell us extinction befalls 3 or more species per hour due mainly to human activity and habitat destruction.  At the current rate of extinction, scientists predict that one-half of the planet's lifeforms may be lost in the next century.

The ecological crisis calls for a massive and dramatic response. We must do all we can to preserve remaining wildlands and restore degraded natural habitats. Individuals and groups caring for Nature need legions to join them in stemming environmental deterioration.   Many Pantheists join conservation organizations, and Pantheist organizations themselves advance valuable causes, including the World Pantheist Movement's excellent  Action for Nature, and the Universal Pantheist Society's Ecological Community Preservation Fund.

PAN encourages zest and zeal for Nature's sake, and for human's sake as well:
"There is joy in the companionship of others working to make a difference for future generations," declares activist David Suzuki,  "and there is hope.  Each of us has the ability to act powerfully for change; together we can regain that ancient and sustaining harmony, in which human needs and the needs of all our (plant and animal) companions on the planet are held in balance with the sacred, self-renewing processes of Earth."
 

COMMIT . Strive to do something every day for wildness.  Volunteer time in a local conservation group and/or write letters, e-mails, etc. Please see Links for a raft of fine organizations and current issues to address.

CONTRIBUTE . Money matters. Give to conservation organizations that champion wildness, especially those acquiring acreage for wildlands preservation. Here are some addresses:
 
 

The Nature Conservancy

1815 North Lynn St.

Arlington, VA 22209
 
 

The Wild lands Project

1955 West Grant Rd., Suite 148

Tucson, AZ 85745
 
 

Peninsula Open Space Trust

3000 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 4-135

Menlo Park, CA 94025
 
 

Open Space Institute

666 Broadway, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10012
 
 

Maine Coast Heritage Trust

169 Park Row

Brunswick, ME 04011
 
 

Land Trust Alliance

1319 F. St. NW, Suite 501

Washington, DC 20004
 
 

Buy Back The Dacks

Wild Earth

POB 455

Richmond, VT 05477
 
 

The Trust for Public Land

666 Pennsylvania Ave. SE Suite 407

Washington, DC 20003

Copyright © 1998,1999 Gary Suttle