The goal of this project is the creation of a common and compelling statement of environmental fellowship which can be voluntarily posted by Minnesota landowners as a public declaration of a compassionate land management ethic.
The core group begins with sustainable farmers in Minnesota, but it will expand to any Minnesota landowner, ie…lakeshore owners, family farmers, backyard gardeners, school forests, organic farmers, orchards, tree farms, municipal park boards.
In an absolutely groundbreaking move the government of Ecuador included an actionable, environmental covenant in its revised 2008 constitution. Across the United States we are increasingly aware of the dangerous ways we have compromised the environment. But, there is no means of outwardly expressing this pressing concern. Our own statement of purpose is needed. Let us offer concerned Minnesota landowners an appealing tool to personally express this commitment. In that process let us employ the best that the arts of Minnesota have to offer.
This will be accomplished by extensive canvassing of the public and special stakeholders ranging from farmers and foresters to philosophers. The goal is to cooperatively craft a statement so compressed and clear that it will fit on an outdoor quality sign; and so timely and poetic that many landowners would be pleased to post it as a pledge to themselves and the public.
The process will be carefully conducted since it must focus many voices into one lyrical and condensed statement. The rich bank of ideas and input gained will be condensed to the project’s major talking points. These will then be turned-over to a core group of poets and artists for composition of the covenant and development of the aesthetic.
The outcome will be a first of its kind. It will give a public voice to those Minnesotans who have come to clearly understand the impact of their own, personal, actions on the health of our state’s environment. As one Declaration of Interdependence sign after another appears on the landscape they will generate ripples improving environmental awareness and personal stewardship.