Despite COVID-19, Blackbaud Celebrates Earth Day 2020, Remotely

Jessica McRae

Earth Day is a one-day observance celebrated around the world, annually on April 22. Each year, the Earth Day Network selects a global theme – this year the theme is Climate Action. This year will also mark the 50^th Anniversary of Earth Day.

Although the unprecedented circumstances around COVID-19 has forced our employees and so many others around the world to shelter-in-place for safety, we still found creative ways to celebrate Earth Day, remotely. Some of those ways included experiencing the outdoors by taking family walks or hikes, composting leaves from their yards to use as plant soil, planting in their personal gardens, having their entire family wear green for the day, and even donating to their favorite environmental charity(ies).


At Blackbaud, our vision is to power an Ecosystem of Good® that builds a better world. As a part of our celebration of Earth Day, we are highlighting two organizations in that Ecosystem that are taking action every day for our climate and use Blackbaud solutions to help reach their long-term sustainability goals.

• The Nature Conservancy, a Blackbaud customer since 1996, was founded in 1951. The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive, with programs spanning 79 countries and six continents. Find out how to get involved. Check out The Nature Conservancy’s customer story, and learn how they used Blackbaud solutions to sustain their giving program.
• Holden Forests & Gardens, a Blackbaud customer since 1989, is an outdoor living museum on 3,500 acres and promotes the beauty and importance of trees and other woody plants. The Holden Arboretum was numbered among the 10 U.S. cultural landscapes threatened by climate change in the 2019 Cultural Landscape Foundation’s Landslide report. Click here to learn more. Check out the Holden Forests & Gardens customer story and how Blackbaud Altru® drives efficiency. 

While our solutions support the important work at organizations like The Nature Conservancy and Holden Forests & Gardens, our commitment to building a better world is also central to everything we do at Blackbaud, including our focus on sustainability. Today, we celebrate our commitment to providing a healthier, more sustainable future for our employees, the communities in which we serve, and ultimately, the world.

How did your organization celebrate Earth Day this year? Share your commitment to sustainability and creating a healthy planet. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #EarthDay2020

 

Karen Tuecke

April Reflection in honor of Earth Day

 
 

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light. Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young. Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone. Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky. Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall. Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain. American Indian Ute Prayer passed down from White Buffalo Calf Woman Sit in stillness under the night sky,  sit in a meadow or field, sit under a tree, play with the soil. Listen to the heartbeat of Earth… heartbeat of the Divine. How is Earth speaking to me during this current global pandemic? What is She teaching me? How do I honor the sacredness of Earth? Keep your journal and seek couple of others to share with. From the Spirituality & Charism Committee PBVM Srs. Terry Abraham, Maria Lazzaro, & Dorothy Scesny

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Thank you

Christina Beargie

This is a fantastic reminder for me as Holden Arboretum is practically in my backyard (I consider the whole state my backyard!) and I have been meaning to go for a long time. I'm going to put it at the top of my list of places to visit and support when we all emerge from our stay-at-home cocoons! As for me, I spent a couple hours pulling out invasive weeds in my yard. Looking forward to replacing them with native species!

Jessica McRae

Karen Tuecke‍ Thanks for sharing this great poem! Very fitting!

Jessica McRae

Christina Beargie‍ that's pretty cool! When you go, be sure to come back and share some pics with us!