The completion of another trip around the sun is upon us. With that, we are striving to wrap up the current year, but we’re also thinking about what next year and beyond holds, and what Earthfire’s contributions can be. Given current events, and the changes our country will undoubtedly experience over the next four years—and potentially beyond—it’s critical we understand and act upon the urgent need to conserve land for all Life. We can’t develop areas to the point that Life can’t thrive, let alone exist. We can’t hunt wildlife species to the brink of extinction. We must shift the way we think on a global scale. This includes sending people like Susan out in the world to speak about Reconnection Ecology® at the local Rotary luncheon or globally at Oxford University, as well as welcoming more visitors to Earthfire to experience our mission for themselves.
As we consider our strategic plan for the next several years, we are addressing succession planning. Susan and Jean started Earthfire over 20 years ago with nothing more than a vision. Susan purchased the land, Jean had the animals, and together they built and planted everything that Earthfire has become today. However, the mission they began all those years ago is not done. And with the recent passing of Jean, the need to ensure plans are in place to carry out Earthfire’s mission for years to come is crucial for our future.
When the time is right, Susan plans to step down as Executive Director, which will allow her time to focus on her writing and speak at more venues about Earthfire’s mission. She will assume the role of CEO as she moves fully into a position of global outreach. Currently Earthfire’s Associate Director, I will then move into the position of Executive Director. Susan and I have worked together symbiotically for almost five years, and where she is the inspiration/visionary of Earthfire, I’m more the planner/boots-on-the-ground stronghold. Susan’s shift to primarily global outreach, while I attend to the practical matters of Earthfire’s operation, will play to both our strengths.
The organization has seen overwhelming increases in costs across the board, including animal food, vet care, staff salaries, and the maintenance and upkeep of our aging infrastructure. Our annual operating budget has increased from approximately $450,000 5 years ago to over $1M now. How do we fundraise differently to achieve our new annual goal? And how do we expand that fundraising to include both maintenance and urgently needed additional projects?
Everything we do at Earthfire is oriented to awaken us to our fundamental connection to the natural world and how that can show us a way forward. There are the practicalities of sustaining a non-profit organization in these difficult times and caring for the physical and emotional needs of the animals; and then there are the aspirations moving us to save land, support a reorientation of cultural values to provide a home and sustenance for all Life, and inspiring us to see that we truly are a community of Life. As we focus on the practicalities, we must contend with the realities of our operation. Just a few of next year’s expenses include $1,130,000 in operating expenses and $585,000 in special projects, which include additional rehabilitation facilities and a second wolf garden.
But Earthfire’s aspiration, to live from a deep love of our Earth and all that lives on it, is just as essential to our mission. Some of the changes we are making include consistent messaging about the critical importance of land conservation. We are also expanding our custom visits into full-day experiences and promoting multi-day retreats.
As Earthfire moves through this crucial period of evolution, we will continue the mission begun by Susan and Jean: to spread awareness of the individual nature of all Life and the joy and healing that can come from such an awakening. We will practice and promote wildland conservation. And we will share the animal’s voices with everyone willing to listen.
