I am proud to introduce “Nature Connects Us,” a joint campaign between the Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation, and the next evolution of our efforts to awaken and strengthen all people’s connection to national forests and grasslands. We do this by honoring tribal homelands through respectful and mindful experiences.

“The power of the world always works in circles,” said Black Elk, a leader of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, while dictating his life story in the early 20th century. His words were captured in conversations with American poet John Neihardt and later compiled in the book “Black Elk Speaks.”    

The circle itself is a powerful shape for tribal nations—symbolizing togetherness, unity, without beginning or end. The cangleska wakan, the Lakota phrase meaning sacred hoop, is the foundation of all things and reminds us of Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ, that we are all related, all things are related. Those elements are significant and sacred when coupled with reflecting on our collective relationship and connection to nature.

Every moment outside is a chance to create connection with the land, respect its omnipotent presence and role, appreciate its beauty and find your true nature in the Nature Connects Us campaign.  

This campaign builds on the momentum of federal agencies to strengthen nation-to-nation relationships, co-steward public lands and waters with tribal nations, incorporate Indigenous knowledge into federal decision making, prioritize environmental justice and, at the most basic level, ground ourselves in deep respect for one another and Unchi Makha/Grandmother Earth.

Development of this campaign started in fall 2021 when National Forest Foundation and the Forest Service began the process of re-envisioning and evolving the “It’s All Yours” campaign by engaging with Ascent Inclusion Consulting (a group specializing in diversity, equity and inclusion). Since the initial launch of the It’s All Yours campaign, we have learned that to truly live out our code and commitments of investing in relationships, empowering one another and learning from mistakes, we need to create and hold space for respectful, inclusive, responsive and caring conversations and relationships.

Listening sessions with tribes and underserved communities in 2021 helped our agency further understand the inequities inherent in previous conservation engagement and cultural norms that continue to affect how we design and deliver our mission.

Through discovery and learning, we developed a more equitable, relatable, humbly toned campaign that leads with inquiry and initiates conversations with viewers that will hopefully widen their shared connections to public lands and invigorate their relationships to national forests and grasslands.  

Questions range from “What can you learn from nature?” to “How do you care for nature?” to “How does nature connect you to others?” All are important reflections, given our duty to “Caring for the land and serving people.”

You’ll also note the creative elements of this campaign are centered on circles—a deliberate way to illustratively show everything is connected—with special emphasis on culturally significant animals like the buffalo and eagle.

When we know more, we do more. The initiation of this campaign is a milestone in the drumbeat of discussions surrounding inclusivity and elevating tribal voices across the nation.

There is more to do—let’s do it together! Nature connects us all. Visit www.natureconnectsus.org to learn more about the campaign.

This work starts with us, so after you visit the site, find ways to incorporate this campaign into your work, engage with your existing public and connect to new audiences.

Forest Service employees looking for more information about this campaign should visit the OC Hub.

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