EarthCare 101: What, WHY + Where to Start

What sparks your curiosity when you hear the term "EarthCare?" 

Without knowing you and your unique story, we know you're here for a reason. Just like the patterns on the wings of every monarch are specific to the individual, everyone's entry into EarthCare is personal. But we're confident you have a lot in common with us and those in our community, because you’re here.

Does this sound familiar?

You're feeling overwhelmed by the ecological crisis.

Your newsfeeds and inbox are drowning in doom and gloom. You're heartbroken over species extinction, habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity.

You really want to do the right thing for Earth but you don't always know what that is.

You try to avoid harmful chemicals and know that conventional landscaping practices are destructive. You care deeply about Nature, wildlife, clean water, and protecting the environment. You've heard about native plants and want to learn how to build habitat, but you're not sure where to start.

You find yourself caught between awareness and action.

You've read the articles, watched the documentaries, and gathered plenty of information about environmental issues. But translating that knowledge into meaningful action still feels daunting, or even impossible.

We get it. We feel it all too.

What is EarthCare?

EarthCare is mindful ecological action emerging from a reciprocal relationship with Nature in your Place.

Let's break that down:

Your Place is wherever you live, love, work, and worship—the landscape, watershed, and community of life that surrounds you and where you belong.

A Reciprocal Relationship with Nature is mutually beneficial, place-based and awakens your authentic self as curious, connected, confident, and committed to all your kin in the natural world.

Mindful Ecological Action is observant, interactive, emergent and relational land stewardship that creates ripples of regenerative impact.

EarthCare isn't just another landscaping service or gardening technique. It's a lifestyle, a mindset and a mission. Care is at the heart of this approach, requiring genuine connection to the people, places and living beings we're caring for. It's a way of being and feeling that is active and present in the world.

The Time to Care is Now

Not to add to the doom and gloom, but we have to mention some of the most disturbing facts of our time here on earth. In case anyone reading this has not yet heard…

→ 80% of Earth's forests are already lost + 375 square kilometers are lost per day.

→ Every hour, 1,692 acres of productive dry land become desert.

→ Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor have reached record levels in the atmosphere, outpacing Earth's ability to cycle + restore, causing major weather events. 

→ The U.S. has lost 150 million acres of habitat and farmland over the past century to urban sprawl, and that trend isn't slowing.

Like you, we look at these stats and wonder what difference we could possibly make in the face of such massive problems. And that's where a personal EarthCare practice comes in. It's through a deeper relationship with your Place on Earth that gives you the ability to have YOUR impact, and that matters.

The United Nations Report states that "around 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with extinction, many within decades, more than ever before in human history. 

Biodiversity and nature's contributions to people are our common heritage and humanity's most important life-supporting 'safety net'. But our safety net is stretched almost to breaking point. 

Ecosystems, species, wild populations, local varieties and breeds of domesticated plants and animals are shrinking, deteriorating or vanishing. The essential, interconnected web of life on Earth is getting smaller and increasingly frayed. Although we still have the means to ensure a sustainable future for people and the planet."

We connect with humans who want to restore their connection with Nature, of which humanity is a part. We focus on a relationship-based approach to caring for the land in our Place, right where we are, and the beings we share that space with - our kin. And we do it all with ease, simplicity and loveliness - the antidote to harshness, harm, fear and extraction-based approaches to interacting with Earth that are all too common.

Through simple, sustainable, ethical actions, we move toward healing and making a meaningful difference. In the wonderful words of Joana Macy, "as we work to heal the Earth, the Earth heals us."

Benefits of an EarthCare Practice

The benefits of having your own EarthCare practice flow through body, mind, spirit and Nature as a whole. Let's name just a few, from things you'll notice right away, to some that work on a longer timeline.

> Body, Mind + Spirit Benefits

• Being outdoors and physically interacting with Nature helps regulate your nervous system, boost your immune system and promote healing.

• When your nervous system is well regulated and functioning optimally, symptoms like anxiety and depression are eased.

• Many people use their EarthCare practice to connect with their higher power on a personal, tangible level.

  
  

> Nature Benefits

• EarthCare puts the needs of Earth before the wants of humans as a fundamental practice, but fortunately for us, this is a symbiotic relationship.

• Supporting pollinators and building habitat for wildlife comes first, which further benefits humans' spiritual, physical, mental + economic health through ecosystem services.

• Your EarthCare practice is how you can make a meaningful impact on the wellbeing of the ecosystem, bioregion, watershed, soil and forests where you live - no matter how big or small of a scale you're working on.

> Budget, Time + Investment Benefits

• Save time and money by avoiding harmful chemicals + fossil fuels, working WITH Nature instead of against her, and reducing maintenance over time.

• Invest wisely in native plants that are much more likely to survive + thrive in your bioregion.

• Cultivate a deep working knowledge of the land you care for, so you can seek wise mentorship and make the best decisions for projects, installations, plant palettes and maintenance activities.

• Rather than spending money on "land-scraping crews" who lack awareness of the land and regularly perform heavy-handed maintenance, learn to convert more lawns to gardens and meadows that become more self-sufficient over time.

• Avoid wasting time, energy + resources making costly and frustrating mistakes, such as poorly chosen plants, misplaced gardens, or issues of "wrong plant wrong place."

How is EarthCare Different?

While conventional landscaping focuses primarily on aesthetic appeal and maintenance for human preferences, EarthCare takes a fundamentally different approach:

What EarthCare Is NOT:

• Using non-native (often called “invasive) species that don't support local wildlife

• Prioritizing the cheapest plants regardless of ecological function

• Using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides

• Treating the land as something to be conquered or controlled

• Following rigid schedules that ignore natural cycles

• Creating dependency on constant intervention

• Removing organic matter from your site (leaves, dead wood, etc)

What EarthCare IS:

• Considering Earth first in all decisions

• Observing, interacting, and growing relationships with each unique patch of Earth

• Using locally and ethically grown native plants

• Leaving the leaves and composting debris to build healthy soil on site

• Intentionally attracting predators to help manage unwanted species

• Planting natives that are naturally resilient and well-adapted to the ecosystem

• Seeking ways to protect water and keep it on site as a valuable resource

• Practicing emergent design, with Earth as our mentor

Getting Started with EarthCare

Beginning your EarthCare journey doesn't require extensive land or expertise—just a willingness to observe, connect, and take mindful action. Here are four simple ways to start:

1. Develop a Sit Spot Practice

Choose a place where you can sit regularly—even if it's just a small balcony or a spot under a tree in a nearby park. Visit this same location for 10-20 minutes several times a week, simply observing what's happening around you. Notice the birds, insects, plants, weather patterns, and seasonal changes. This practice builds your awareness and deepens your relationship with Place.

2. Start a Nature Journal

Document your observations, questions, and reflections about your interactions with Nature. This doesn't need to be artistic or polished—simple notes about what you're noticing can help you track patterns and deepen your understanding of local ecosystems. Include dates, weather conditions, and any species you observe.

3. Embrace Land Walking

Take regular walks through your yard or neighborhood with the intention of observing rather than changing. Notice where water flows, which plants are thriving, what wildlife is present. These observations will guide your future actions from a place of connection rather than imposition.

4. Practice Cues to Care

Incorporate subtle signals that show intentional care for your landscape—defined edges around native plantings, thoughtful pathways, or informational signage. These small additions help neighbors understand your ecological intentions while maintaining community connection.

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→ Invite us into your inbox and get the EarthCare Matters newsletter here!

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Ready to Deepen Your EarthCare Journey?

If you're ready to take your EarthCare practice to the next level, we offer several resources to support your journey:

• Get EarthCare Matters - the free newsletter for nature lovers (like you) who want to find joy and make a difference for the planet during the ecological crisis. 

  
  

• Core Routines Collection - Detailed guides to the fundamental practices of EarthCare: the Sit Spot, Nature Journal, Land Walking + Cues to Care. Found individually in our Shop or together as a collection in The EarthCare Library.  

  
  

• Community Connections - Join others who are practicing EarthCare in their own Place. You’re invited to start by joining our EarthCare Community on Facebook!

By starting with these simple practices and resources, you'll begin to transform your relationship with Nature, creating ripples of positive impact that extend far beyond your own backyard.

Remember: EarthCare isn't about perfection. It's about presence, relationship, and mindful action emerging from where you are right now. 

The Earth doesn't need a few people doing EarthCare perfectly; it needs millions of people doing it imperfectly but with genuine care and attention.

Are you ready to begin your EarthCare journey? The time to care is now.

30+ pages of our best printable PDFs, DIY guides, checklists + more to jumpstart your EarthCare journey - Get the EarthCare Starter Kit HERE.