I can’t imagine working anywhere else. I am grateful every day to be part of the Forest Park Conservancy (FPC), alongside a team that is doing thoughtful and innovative work to protect and heal Forest Park and the ecosystem surrounding it, and who deeply care about our community. I am proud of the incredible successes we have had, which gives me hope for the future and makes me excited about the impact we will continue to have.
We’ve faced many challenges over the past few years, and we’ve been able to rise to meet them each time because of the steadfast commitment of our donors, volunteers, and partners. You’ve supported us every step of the way. Your generosity, unwavering commitment, and enormous passion for our one-of-a-kind 5,200 acre park, is the foundation FPC is built upon. When we have needed financial resources to support the critical work we do, you have joined us. When we have needed your time, you have given it, selflessly, to support our team and the park.
The common denominator in the heartwarming, inspiring, and sometimes concerning, conversations we have shared is your deep love and connection to Forest Park and your willingness to take action.
But without your renewed support we won’t be able to continue on this exciting path forward.
Right now there are many environmental threats to Forest Park including climate change, urban development and off-leash dogs and dog waste which impact wildlife and water quality. Even a lack of equitable access is an environmental threat. As population demographics shift, having a diverse community of stewards caring for the park is critical to its long-term health and the health of the community.
Although we have been collecting data to monitor the impacts of these threats, this data doesn’t tell us everything, nor does it always give us the information we need to better steward and
heal our lands for the future. We have been steadfast in our work to increase equitable access, but there is so much more that we need to do, together, as a community to make Forest Park welcome and safe for everyone.
Over the past two years, FPC has been actively listening and learning from staff and partner organizations about Indigenous land stewardship and has started to integrate these practices into our work. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from those much wiser than me, who hold a deep connection to this land and who have generously shared their cultural wisdom and traditions.
The most profound lesson that I carry with me every day is the importance of having a physical connection to nature and the land, as well as understanding the ways different cultures steward the land, not only with their hands, but with their hearts. So many organizations like ours provide numerous opportunities to heal the earth with our hands, but don’t integrate the most important component, which is our hearts.
Nature gives each and every one of us so much. It fills our hearts, minds and bodies with joy, serenity, peace and, depending on how we experience it, what we may need from it on a particular day.
But we cannot just heal Forest Park with our hands, we must integrate our hearts into the healing process and be intentional about giving back to the forest all the love, happiness, and joy it fills us with each day. Then, our forests may truly begin to heal.
This is my call to action to each and every one of you. The actions you take with your heart can have a profound impact on not only healing Forest Park but healing our community by loving and welcoming everyone into this special place.
I can’t express enough how critical your past financial support and your gift of volunteer time is to helping us accomplish our mission. But, knowing how much you love Forest Park and your community, I feel like this additional ask is one you can easily and willingly give. You are our foundation and our future.
With gratitude,
Renée Myers
Executive Director