Planetary Guardianship: Honor the Earth, Protect Our Future
I believe we are not separate from our planet; we are one with Gaia. To protect the land, the animals, and our natural resources is to protect ourselves. My advocacy is rooted in the belief that plants, animals, and trees are sentient beings with an inherent intelligence that deserves our respect, acknowledgement, and celebration.
Global Stewardship: The Kom Ombo Institute
Through my work with the Kom Ombo Institute, I am engaged in high-stakes conservation efforts across the globe:
The Virunga Frontier (Congo & Uganda): We are working tirelessly to protect Virunga National Park, the vital sanctuary for the world’s last remaining mountain gorillas.
Jaguar Habitats (Latin America): Protecting the corridors of the Jaguar, an apex predator and a symbol of the wild’s intelligence and strength.
Local Defense: The Tenasi Community Center
Closer to home, I founded the Tenasi Community Center to serve as a shield for our local ecology. Our focus is the preservation of Tennessee’s most sacred resource: Water.
The Smoky Mountains and our sprawling river systems are the lifeblood of our region. Currently, these resources are under threat from exploitation by out-of-state interests, including:
Big Tech & AI Data Centers: Preventing the massive water consumption and thermal pollution caused by data infrastructure.
The Military-Industrial Complex: Guarding our land against encroachment and environmental degradation.
Extraction Interests: Standing firm against mining and energy interests that view our mountains merely as "resources" to be harvested rather than a living legacy to be honored.
My Philosophy of Guardianship
I view the Earth as a living organism. When we allow our rivers to be polluted or our ancient forests to be cleared for industrial gain, we are severing our connection to the source of our own health.
Key Initiatives for the Land
Water Sovereignty: Legislating protections to ensure Tennessee water remains in the hands of the people and the land, not tech conglomerates.
Habitat Corridors: Supporting the creation of protected pathways for wildlife both in Appalachia and abroad.
Sentience-Based Conservation: Promoting an understanding of "Deep Ecology" where the rights of nature are recognized in our policy-making.
