Yesterday (Oct 5) was World Habitat Day.

The theme set by UN-Habitat this year is “Adequate Housing for All.”

While this theme focuses on human habitat (the impacts of rapid urbanization, poverty, homelessness, and slum conditions), we recognize the interconnected web of all things.

Disconnection from Nature and irresponsible development are causing harmful living conditions for humans and wildlife alike.

EarthCare (mindful ecological action emerging from a reciprocal relationship with Nature in your Place) is self care and community care.

No one gets left behind when we prioritize Nature, because WE ARE Nature too.

And if humans have a basic right to adequate shelter, shouldn’t wildlife too?

World Habitat Day is about ALL of us, from the EarthCare perspective.

So, Reader, how do we create "adequate housing for all" in our backyards?

1. We eagerly learn more about the ecology of our Place, and what’s threatening life there.
2. We cultivate a genuine connection with Nature in our Place.
3. We start small with mindful acts of building habitat at home (see below!)
4. We prioritize civic action to prevent further irresponsible development and destruction.

This outline is from the EarthCare Compass, a tool I developed to help us navigate our ecological awakening and walk the journey into real impact.

You can learn more about the compass for free in this intro audio class.​

In this newsletter, I try to share ways to transform our ecological grief into mindful action, so today I’m giving you a list of seasonally appropriate ways to support habitat this fall.

Simple ways to support habitat before winter Learn about the National Wildlife Federation's Habitat certification Make it your goal to provide wildlife with their basic needs: food, water, shelter, places to raise their young Decide never to use toxic chemicals on your landscape for any reason Carefully observe what’s present in the landscape + research its ecological function before making big changes Leave seedheads and standing stalks as bird food + insect habitat throughout winter Leave non-aggressive beneficial weeds in place as a light ground cover (research which are beneficial) Pile a stack of sticks for insects to nest and shelter in (habitat hotels) Leave the leaves where they fall (or pile into beds) for overwintering insects Allow dead standing trees (snags) to provide habitat (trim dangerous limbs) Protect your unique methods of supporting wildlife with signage, borders (cues to care) Contact LadyBug EarthCare if you want experienced hands to help you with a done-for-you Fall Mindful CleanUp. Get the 2027 EarthCare Calendar to guide you through these DIY actions all year long. Nature based holidays Monthly EarthCare checklists Native plants and pollinators This wall-hanging calendar will tell you exactly when to do what, any time of the year, in North American (or similar) bioregions. ​Currently on pre-order sale for Locals only* for 25% off with code HABITAT25. *discount available for Dillsburg, PA pick up only. All other pre-orders are full price and ship early Dec.

And if you don’t have access to land you can change directly, there are many ways you can resist the destruction of habitat too…

One prominent example that comes to mind are data centers, which are often proposed in rural communities because the land is cheaper and there’s less organized opposition.

For the people and wildlife who live there, that can mean

• ​Farmland and forest get bought and rezoned, pushing up local land prices and straining small area rental markets
• Grid updates needed to power these facilities raise electricity costs​
• Many facilities draw heavily on local water for cooling which can stress wells and streams that homes and wildlife depend on​
• ​Noise, light, and air pollution make the area less liveable for wildlife and humans

Housing is about a home you can afford, with clean water, and a landscape that is still alive.

When we protect land from irresponsible development, we’re protecting someone’s home, human and non-human.

ACTION ALERTS 🚩

🚩 And everyone anywhere can choose to use less consumptive, destructive technology, so just say NO to AI, which is the root cause of all these data centers being built.

The secret key to success is often DO LESS.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please remember that 1 action is enough.

You don’t have to do everything in this email. Pick the one thing that feels most alive for you right now.

One mindful act is more beneficial than a flurry of chaotic reactions, and each small action has cascading benefits.

How else can we resist destructive development and protect habitat for ALL?

I’d love to hear what you think!

You can always hit reply :)

For wildlife and a wilder life,

Kendra

​
PS. I’m hosting a very special song circle in a CAVE (OG habitat!) here in central PA on November 7th to Honor our Deep Ancestors.

Caves are one of the oldest and most reliable forms of shelter and possibly the reason humans (and many other species) survived some insane times on this planet. Come sing with us in this safe ancestral place!

​Get $15 off the Cave Song Circle until October 10th with code EARLYBIRD15. Please invite your friends.

Inbox Consent Note: I’ll be sending a few extra emails to remind you of this exciting experience coming up, so click here if you want to hear MORE about my song circles + voice retreats.​

AND click here if you don’t want to hear about these vocal events. I’ll respect your inbox.

Written by humans, never AI.