When it comes to protecting our natural resources, there is more than enough work to go around. From keeping our rivers clean, rehabilitating wildlife, and preserving open spaces, it takes many hearts, hands, and heads to ensure these vital efforts get done. Through our 501(c)3 organization (NC League of Conservation Voters Foundation), we are grateful to be a member of the EarthShare North Carolina coalition that allows all these different efforts to come together.
EarthShare NC was founded in 1991 and is part of the national Earth Share movement. The organization’s goal is clear: to connect more people and resources to the conservation movement. That’s not always an easy task in this day and age. Our culture is overworked, on the go, and plugged into our screens more and more. For many, spending time outdoors is now a placeholder on the calendar rather than something done just because. The groups who are members of Earth Share NC are trying to change that – including our Foundation. We are one of 30 state conservation programs who are committed to providing the people of this state with clean drinking water, healthy air, access to outdoor recreation,and pesticide-free food.
EarthShare NC is dedicated to supporting the work of its members, and one of the major avenues in how it provides this support is by establishing employee giving programs. These partnerships are much more than simply money. EarthShare NC provides guest speakers and presenters; relationships with specific member organizations; ongoing communications on what is happening to support causes people care about, and volunteer opportunities throughout the state.
Last year, Earth Share NC launched its corporate round tables. Far too often, the environmental and business communities are pitted as enemies. In reality, all of us have a stake in what happens to our surroundings – from a public health, recreation, cost of living, or moral perspective. When businesses open their doors in our state, they want to make sure that they are landing in a place with strong communities and a vibrant economy. If our air and water are polluted, then no one will want to relocate to the Tar Heel state.
As part of this newer endeavor, EarthShare NC partners with companies to take care of the communities where employees live and the company operates. 100% of corporate and employee gifts to the nonprofits (zero administration fee). And, on Earth Day, companies can participate in the Annual Corporate Earth Day Events each April. In 2015, the first corporate challenge drew in folks from 10 corporate teams to places like Triangle Land Conservancy, Carolina Tiger Rescue, SEEDS and more. Several larger companies helped to sponsor the challenge as well as the Earth Day Breakfast, where leaders from the corporate and conservation communities discussed the most pressing conservation issues facing our region.
Find out how you can get more involved with EarthShare NC at earthsharenc.org.
