Earth stewardship

Beliefs about the natural world across faiths, history and cultures

"Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in then memory and experience of my people… All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth."

Chief Sealth of the Duwamish tribe of the State of Washington to US President Franklin Pierce, 1855

Human beings have impacted on ecosystems since they moved out of Africa and colonised the whole planet. Hunter gatherers wiped out species such as the mammoth, early farmers destroyed forests and changed flora and fauna. Most cultures and faiths have recognised the importance of natural ecosystems to sustaining human life in their belief systems. The school garden is the perfect framework for children to understand the importance of 'ecosystem services' to their lives and their part in ensuring its survival in the face of huge pressures.

Explore resources on Earth stewardship