Daily Loaf

It’s Our Nature- A Reflection

It’s Our Nature® will celebrate its 13th year in business on Earth Day, April 22, 2009. My vision has been to promote products and experiences that connect our well being with the health of the earth. It’s Our Nature officially began on Earth Day 1996 as I guided a group of six women to Caladesi Island from north Clearwater Beach. Since that first walk, my focus has been to blend the enrichment of one’s mind with the wellness of one’s body and the spirit of our earth. Experiences encouraged participants to “Move in the Rhythm of Nature” through moderately paced walks, gentle kayak paddles and t’ai chi on the beach.

In an effort to cross market to the health conscious clientele participating in the outdoor activities, It’s Our Nature began selling organic cotton socks and palm frond hats. After becoming an educational partner with the state of Florida in 1998 on Honeymoon and Caladesi Island, I found my company involved in the rapidly growing market segment of eco-tourism. Along with teaching residents and visitors about environmental ethics and the heritage that accompanied the land, each ION trip continued to include the element of silence. I feel deeply that to re-connect with nature using all our senses brings us to a deeper place. That connection is the foundation of a passion that can make a difference in the preservation of our earth – especially our own backyard.

My experience of guiding women through the natural lands of Florida inspired my book “Great Women Exploring Nature, How Wild Florida Influenced Their Lives”. “GWEN” celebrates her first year anniversary on Earth Day 2009. The book combines history, travel ideas, nature awareness and art. The reader will discover how a thread of Florida’s wild nature wove itself into the lives of ten women. This connection is examined in the stories of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mina Miller Edison, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Zora Neale Hurston, Myrtle Scharrer Betz, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Jackie Cochran, Rachel Carson and Marjorie Harris Carr. This Earth Day will launch another edition of GWEN, as I have been given many names from my readers of remarkable women who have explored nature.

After reviewing requests for more organic cotton items, an expansion was made in 2004 to market additional organic cotton products including men and women’s clothing with an emphasis on fair labor and eco-dyes. Healthy-Wear for People Who Care ® emerged as the primary focus of It’s Our Nature®. All items are screened for the elimination of chemical application and absolute fair labor. Organic cotton, hemp and palm frond are the primary fibers. Minimal packaging, 100% PCW paper for marketing material, using no electricity during mobile store hours, going to where people are already traveling enhances sustainability as a business operation.

It’s Our Nature sets up its portable store at a variety of fresh markets, festivals, inside existing environmental businesses and through the company web site. There is a magical essence to creating my store in a new location each day. By following the ION mobile store, customers learn about unique community events. They not only experience a new neighborhood but mingle with different people while purchasing ION products.

ION is my journey- I am honored by how many of you have accompanied me for so many years. Thank you for support and friendship. May we continue our exploration making this world a better place as we go.

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