“I chose to spend my Nature Friday, TNC’s compressed work week program where you get every other Friday off, on the shores of Lake Michigan in Saugatuck. The idea is to spend that time immersed in nature, unwinding, and rejuvenating. This time had me contemplating more than ever this “new social contract”, an idea that a TNC leader shared with us – they stated “The social contract between employee and employer is changing. People aren’t saying it. But we all feel it.” They mentioned moving away from the idea of work-life-balance, and even work-life-integration. The word they used was “Harmonization”. It may seem like semantics, but I think it’s a very powerful sentiment. In the past, employers often emphasized benefits and perks to motivate employees to work harder. However, framing the narrative around flexibility—allowing employees to organize their days while remaining committed to the organization—was a step in the right direction. The subtle change in employer value proposition that I think is needed to achieve work-life-harmonization, is the idea that “we’ll offer you flexibility and encourage time-off BECAUSE it will make you a happier, healthier individual and therefore a better employee”. It’s heartening to know that TNC’s leaders understand this concept. Working for an organization that values your well-being is truly a gift and it comes as no surprise; that I came back relaxed. Breathing deeply, thinking clearly, and acting with less hesitation.” #MWM #JoinUs
“Working at TNC feels like you’re on one big team, everyone is so kind & caring. Choosing to work here has been one of my best decisions!” - Betelehem Lemlemayehu. Please join us in celebrating Betelehem's 2 year anniversary! 🎉
"At The Nature Conservancy, I found more than just a job – I found a sense of purpose. But what has made this past year extraordinary are the amazing colleagues who inspire and support me. I’m grateful to my team and proud of the work we do to help save the planet." -- Manny Alalouf. Join us in celebrating Manny's one year TNC-aversary! 🎉
“Make it work for you, that’s what I always say,” Gabriela explains. “I wanted to build a career path versus falling into one.” This Earth Day, we’re shining a spotlight on young changemakers! Meet Gabriela Tejeda, TNC’s Editorial and Content Coordinator, and learn how she built a career path that combined her unique skills with her love of nature. “The Everglades are not just a national park, they are incredibly multi-faceted, with nine different ecosystems inside their boundaries. It really is like a super ecosystem.” Gabriela, a photographer, videographer, writer, artist and biologist who has channeled her talents into a career protecting places like the Everglades. Her love of nature led her to major in biology, intern at a conservation organization and lead eco-tours through the Everglades, where she fell in love with photographing the landscape and wildlife. At that moment, she knew she wanted a career that would combine her passions. Enter an externship program administered jointly by the National Geographic Society and TNC. Gabriela was part of the first cohort, which allowed her to study the ecology of the Everglades and create an ArcGIS StoryMap about conservation efforts that showcased her own writing and photography. “I think the externship showed me my skills, and it affirmed for me: ‘you are a storyteller.’” Now, Gabriela is using those skills in her role at TNC to help people learn about and connect with places like the Everglades and beyond. #Applynow
"A friend and I sat on a patch of grass situated between marshland and the Maumee Bay, Ohio. As the sky dimmed, the birds started to call wildly and fish were jumping out of the water in front of us. The sun set giving the trees in the horizon a red backdrop in every direction, eventually turning to twilight and darkening completely. At this point, we were able to take off our glasses and stare right at the moon-covered sun. I would try to describe the halo but I don’t have the words. Just a moment of night, shared between all of us, and then back to the day.🌑🌞 Working for The Nature Conservancy has been a gift in many ways, but I appreciate TNC more than ever on days like today. Not only was I able to use my #NatureFriday (on a Monday no less), to take the day off and view a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event, but I was able to do so with coworkers in a place that we protect." #MomentsWithManny #JoinTheJourney
Spring has sprung and so has our creativity in our Minneapolis office! 🌷We wanted to shout out our PEEPs in the Minneapolis office for participating in an egg-cellent team-building activity of building Peep dioramas and creating some fun memorable ones! 🌸🐥 Check out some of the winning dioramas of 2024! 🎉
"This past weekend I was able to make it to the west side of Michigan to take part in a guided hike at TNC’s Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve. As we weaved our way through wetlands and dune forests, a naturalist helped us to identify edible plants like wintergreen and spicebush. It was an uncharacteristically sunny day for early March, so after the hike I headed to the lakeshore at Van Buren State Park. Carving out time to reconnect with the natural world is a priority that ranks as highly for me as any project or meeting. Since most of the work I do is behind a screen, having the opportunity to get back into nature is critical for me to stay motivated and grounded in our mission. And I have to say, looking at trees, sniffing wintergreen and listening to the waves crash on the shores of Lake Michigan is about the best reminder I can get for why we do what we do. That’s why I make sure to keep visits to our preserves at the top of my list of priorities. I’m grateful to The Nature Conservancy for enabling me to create these experiences; Nature Fridays give me the chance to take the day off and get back into the woods. I’m coming back to work re-invigorated and ready to do my part to help save the planet! #MomentswithManny #JoinTheJourney"
We invite you to explore this article highlighting the remarkable contributions of women in conservation across the Midwest region of the United States. Thank you for your dedication in the preservation of our planet! 🌿 #InternationalWomensMonth #WomenInConservation
Can you imagine a world without wildlife? We can’t—but it’s disappearing fast. This World Wildlife Day, we’ve stripped the oak leaves from our logo to stand with #NatureNow, in partnership with @Voice4Planet.
"As someone who recently returned from an unforgettable sabbatical to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail on the East Coast of the United States, I'm proud to have made the decision to transition from the for-profit sector to non-profit. This shift in my professional journey has been deeply fulfilling, and with the support of TNC, I've been able to continue pursuing my passions outside of work. If you were to ask me what I missed the most since returning from the trail, to some, this might sound like a bizarre answer, but it might be the water. There is nothing like drinking ice-cold spring water straight from the source (after filtering for bacteria in most cases). Being a part of an organization like TNC, dedicated to preserving vital resources like water, has brought immense meaning to my day-to-day work in the non-profit space. It's been a truly refreshing experience. Adventure awaits – are you ready to take the first step? 🌿 #MomentswithManny #JoinTheJourney"
