According to Wikipedia Environmental stewardship refers to the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through active participation in conservation efforts and sustainable practices by individuals, small groups, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and other collective networks.
Stewardship is an ethical value that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to the environment and nature, economics, health, property, information, theology, cultural resources etc.
As I wrote in an earlier blog post I have made pledges and joined organizations on behalf of El Lodge Taos to get this property up to a minimum stanadard of sustainability and maintain or hopefully increase that level and I need to determine the state of the property as it is now to establish a base reference point from which to improve upon heading forward. Easier said than done so Ive set about contacting evironmental testing companies and getting a rough estimate to have a complete environments testing and study completed asap.
I want the soil tested, the water and air quality fully tested anyway to determine if any biohazard conditions exist as a result of this summer's wildfires for documentatioin for my pending litigation(s) vs The US Forest Service and FEMA so that portion HAS to be done anyway but in the interest of frugality with our very "limited" working capital I've decided to engage the testing company to test everything not just as related to the fire.
The obious is just that. Anyone can see there is a need to get rid of the pile of scrap metal and clean out the barn and basement and so forth and Joseph and Harmon have already done a great job of doing that. It's the unseen that I'm refering to like potential lead based paint, aesbestos and other old building materials usesd in the structure or buried beneath the soil. Every spring new metal screws, brackets and old shotgun shells rise up to the surface and I want to find out what else may be under the top soil so here are the steps I plan on taking.
Effective this morning I am placing Joseph Dixon in charge of this area and giving him the title of "Property Manager & Sustainability Steward" placing him in charge of every chunk of dirt, every blade of grass and ever pebbley on the property and it's integrity and it's removal if found to be toxic or harmful in any way to the environment or future guests of El Lodge Taos and to act as our liason to the outside community whether it be with the EPA or grassroots organizations.
Joseph is a perfect choice for this position and will go forth with meticulous attention to deatail such an undertaking demands. As of the time I am writing this he is sound asleep and knows nothing of this decision or announcemnet but thats how I get things done so I do apologize to him, in writing, here and now but tough beans if it upsets you...our mandate and missions takes precedent.
That is all...carry on.