THE ENVIRONMENT Clyde Butcher - World renowned environmental photographer His focus on the Florida Everglades brought unprecedented appreciation to this unique, natural resource. After suffering a stroke, Butcher’s desire to get back out to continue to document its beauty has aided in both his physical and mental recovery. Photo by Mike Dunn for Growing Bolder
William Watson – Certified Forest Therapist He creates connections between people and nature by guiding them through multi-sensory exercises that help reset priorities, relieve stress, regain inner strength and rebuild a state of wellbeing. Sylvia Earle - Oceanographer, research scientist and Time Magazine's first "Hero of the Planet" She is the former Chief Scientist of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and author of over 180 publications about marine science and technology. Earle has led over 100 expeditions, logging more than 7,000 hours underwater. Still active as a National Geographic Explorer in Residence at the age of 88, she has received more than 100 national and international honors. Photo Courtesy of Mission Blue
Jill Heinerth – Underwater explorer, writer, filmmaker She quit an office job to become an underwater cave diver. Heinerth is the first person to explore the ice caves of Antarctica, going further into an underwater cave system than any woman in history. Photo Courtesy Matt McIntosh
Dr. John Francis – Conservationist, educator Inspired by a large oil spill in San Francisco Bay he took a vow of silence and walked across the country to raise awareness. A goodwill ambassador for the UN Environment Program, Francis is the author of “Planetwalker: How to Change Your World One Step at a Time.” Photo Courtesy Mark Thiessen National Geographic
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Jennie Romer – Sustainability expert, lawyer, author She is an unsung American hero who has stepped into the fight to encourage recycling. Romer has been at the forefront of creating meaningful legislation to enact recycling and she travels the country giving lectures and interviews to offer a real understanding of how recycling actually works. Her book is called, “Can I Recycle This? A Guide to Better Recycling.”
December 2023 Digest Photo Courtesy of Jennie Romer