NATURE, a POWERFUL FORCE, Respect her & learn to live in Harmony with her!
We are here, remember this reality when we take life too seriously
There is no question that Mother Nature is one of the most powerful force in the Universe. We must respect her and at the same time learn to live in Harmony with her. In less than 24 hours so many lives where totally changed forever.So many lives lost on SANDY’S path from the Caribbean islands of Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti all the way to the shores of New Jersey. 110 plus homes entirely destroyed with all the precious belongings. Some with much sentimental values, pictures, gifts that are irreplacable.
As I watch the news and read stories about the devastation caused by this powerful SUPERSTORM. I am inspired to go within and reflect and ask questions. The devastation in New York and New Jersey could of been in Florida had the storm decide to curve a bit. My thought is that it is really time for humanity to re-evaluate what is really important, our priorities must be adjusted to meet the challenges of this new world that we live in. In the last few centuries we have seen an immense rise in consumption. We Buy, Buy, Buy things that if we really think about it, we did not really need or want. We always want More or Want what the other has. These choices and actions, created so much more demand for companies to produce more,many times in an unstainable manner which created so much more pressure on our planet.
This time I urge and encourage all of humanity to look deeper and re-evalutate our priorities, what is really important as we rebuild our homes, our lives in the affected areas. There are many lessons to be learned in the devastation caused by SANDY. Everyone worldwide can learn from this tragedy. Time to wake up and pay attention!
Simplicity can release from within you great spiritual powers which are currently numbed by mindless over-consumption. Let’s change our focus from mindless consumption to social compassion, love and respect for our natural world and promote peace on planet earth. I leave you with a really inspiring poem from St. Franis of Assisi.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble and presious and pure.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the Stars, in the heavens you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.
Be praised my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through Air and Cloud and fair and all Weather, by which you nourish all that you have made.
Be praised, my Lord, through bother Fire, by whom you light up the night;he is beautiful and merry and vigorous and strong.
Be praised, my Lord with al lyour creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is day and by him you shed light upon us. He is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, of you, Most Hight, he bears the likeness.
Peace and Blessings to All.
Nadine C. Patrice, Executive Director
Operation Green Leaves Inc.
A storm when I’m extolling Nature? Seriously?!
Our guest Blogger today is our Friend and member, Audrey Peterman, Author of “OUR TRUE NATURE”
A storm when I’m extolling Nature? Seriously?!
By Audrey Peterman
The same day I release my book extolling the beauty and majesty of nature in our National Park System, a huge storm is barreling up the Atlantic and heading toward the most populous area of our country along the coast. To say that millions are looking at Mother Nature with fear and apprehension is an understatement.
Is it fair to say that the only time we look at Nature collectively is when there is a fearsome event? Compared to the time we spend with technology, Nature gets a small fraction of our attention, and very little appreciation. She’s just there, and we take it for granted that she’ll always be there.
The problem with that is – man is part of nature and to the extent we withdraw from it, to that extent we diminish ourselves and a contented lifespan. Some years ago I was part of a meeting sparked by Richard Louv, strategizing how to get children back outside to play and explore n nature. Louv’s book, (Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder, 2005) had shown that children’s mental and physical health were suffering as a result of being housebound, tethered to electronic instruments.
One member of the group suggested that we might actually need to teach children how to play in nature, as this generation may not know how. At that moment I felt a chill go through me. I thought, “What can it mean when a species that is dependent on nature has become so removed from it that our offspring do not even know it exists? Or how to interact with it?”
Because I am fortunate and choose to spend most of my time admiring nature, whether in my backyard or in the Grand Canyon, I know the benefits. I wrote the book, “Our True Nature: Finding a Zest for Life in the National Park System” to communicate how much beauty and history is protected and managed in our country for our enjoyment and enlightenment. I wanted to convey the sense of peace and security that I get from seeing nature in its benign, unspoiled vastness. I wanted to share the confidence that something greater than me is in charge, and the best thing I can do for myself and the world is to be peaceful and send love to it.
So as the storm approaches, I send my love to the elements and call for mercy. I send love to the people in the path of the storm and encourage you to be peaceful. Send love to the elements and whatever force controls this universe. And when the storm is past, let us look at Mother Nature with new eyes of appreciation and reverence, for all she is to us.
To purchase Audrey’s book “OUR TRUE NATURE’ Finding your zest in the National Park Sytem, click HERE
GLOBAL WARMING, SIMPLY WHAT IS IT?
With the hard economic times facing our world, most people are too be too busy to take a break and really take time to pay attention and understand what is happening to our planet event though they know that the impact of Global Warming and Climate Change that they have been hearing about in the media is currently impacting their lives. Globally our planet is facing droughts, floods, huge hale storms, violent and severe storm and sea level IS rising.
Today I am providing simple and basic information which I hope will inspire our readers to investigate and learn more about the subject. It’s time to pay attention to day to day choices and activities to make sure that we do not ad anymore pressure to our planet.
Global warming is linked to the “Greenhouse Effect”. Heat from the sun enters the atmosphere which is the air surrounding the earth. Most of the heat is absorbed b the earth or the atmosphere, though some is reflected back toward the sun. The Earth HEATS UP as it absorbs the Sun’s rays. some absorbed heat is released back into the atmosphere as infrared heat rays. Certain gases trap some of the released heat near the earth’s urface as in a greenhouse, warming the air , land and sea. As these Greenhouse gases increase, more heat is trapped , possibly raising the averages temperature.
Some of the Greenhouse gases that contribute to the Greenhouse Effect include, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), The main sources are the clearing of large areas of forest. Living trees use up CO2. Clearing and burning forests kills the trees while releasing more CO2. Methane, the main sources are Natural Sources, such as swamps, oceans and termites, farming, especially from rice paddies,cattle ranches and of course burning wood. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). For many years CFCs were widely used in Refrigerators and Air Conditioners in buildings and cars. Manufacturing processes used to make plastic, foam packages and insulation. Aerosol cans was also a contributor. The good news is today, many countries have stopped using CFCs or are int he process of phasing them out. Nitrogen Oxid. Tthe main sources are natural sources including soil, car exhaust, and chemical fertilizers.
You are the consumer, you have the buying power, it is your choice to make sure you buy from companies that acknowlege the crisis facing our earth. Take a few minutes to learn more about these companies and make sure that their products and services follow the best green and sustainalble practices.
Nadine C. Patrice
Executive Director, Operation Green Leaves Inc.
Hunger and Extreme Poverty are Inter-connected
Today, October 16th is World Food day. It is a good day to give some thought on why so many of our brothers and sisters worldwide are faced with extreme hunger and poverty. Let me give you a few facts. Currently 925 million people do not have enough to eat — more than the populations of USA, Canada and the European Union combined., 98% of the world’s undernourished people live in developing countries. Two-thirds of the world’s hungry live in just 7 countries: Bangladesh, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia and Pakistan. Where is hunger the worst? Asia and the Pacific: 578 million,Sub-Saharan Africa: 239 million,Latin America and the Caribbean: 53 million. Near East and North Africa: 37 million ,Developed countries: 19 million.
Hunger is rooted in the alleviation of poverty, as poverty leads to hunger. World hunger is a terrible symptom of world poverty. If efforts are only directed at providing food, or improving food production or distribution, then the structural root causes that create hunger, poverty and dependency would still remain. To truly eradicate hunger and poverty on the face of this planet, political will and solutions are needed globally.
I also beleive the long term solution is to give the poor the tools necessary to rise themselves out of poverty. Teach, empower, inspire and most of all share the technology with people in the most affected areas of the world. We know by now that just providing food to alliviate hunger for today does not work because they will be hungry tomorrow. That system much change if we really want to eradicate hunger and poverty. Greed and selfishness when dealing with this issue should no longer have a place in our Global Society.
There is the other issue of Genetically Modified food which is a huge problem. Take a look for yourself and learn more, click on link . I urge you today on World Food Day to decide that you will take some time at some point to learn more about these issues. We can no longer afford the thought that if it is not happening in my community it does not affect me. The truth is that we are all inter-connected, we will ultimately at one point feel the impact of what is happening in other countries and communities and on our HOME planet EARTH.
Nadine C. Patrice
Executive Director, Operation Green Leaves Inc.
World Food Day, October 16th, 2012
Jr. Green Leaves Club at Hubert O Sibley Elementary
October 16th , 2012 is World food Day, I invite everyone reading this blog to join the global movement to end hunger. Be part of the solution , take action in your community and around the world.
With that said I would like to bring to your attention that while we celebrate World Food Day on the 16th, we need to think about the quality of our food. What is in our food? Is is healthy? What kind of pesticide was used? Is it Genetically engineered?
Many organizations are on the forefront with their message of not only ending world hunger but the issue of nutrition as well. the ONE organization’s message is “Put Nutrition on the Global Agenda”. For more details click
GORTA’s message is “Make Hunger History”. The Gorta World Food Day Conference will be on October 16th at 9:00 am in Dublin. If you are in that part of the world more details available at
One of the options also is for you to grow your own food then you will know for sure the quality and nutritional information of what you will be consuming. Farmers markets with local organic foods are everywhere now days as well as community and school gardens. There are many businesses with the mission to teach you how to grow great and healthy foods such as Edible Gardening with Karin visit them at or Dylan Terry at “Ready-to-grow Gardens visit them at and Earth Learning, visit them at
Finally Operation Green Leaves has sponsored many school gardens and works with children to not only teach them where food comes from but also teach them about nutrition and the cultural aspect of food. Hopelly we will be able to continue that program with the necessary funding. If you want to support our school garden program, please visit click on make a donation. Operation Green Leaves is a non-profit tax-deductible organization. Your donations are fully tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Vegetable vendor at the Yellow Green Farmers Market in Hollywood, Florida
Jr. Green Leaves Club at Hubert O Sibley Elementary working on their garden called “Bon Manje” which means Good food
Global Warming is indeed happening!
It is the responsibility of ALL her children to respect and protect her
Global Warming is indeed happening. Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are needed URGENTLY to prevent a Climate Catastrophe. Building resilient societies and fostering sustainable environment must NOW be a priority. The most cost-effective way is to act NOW rather than later.
Supporting renewable energy is one way to reduce the impact of Global Warming because it does not produce much greenhouse gases that contribute to Global Warming. Geothermal energy offers significant environmental and economic advantages over fossil fuels in generating electricity. As a renewable energy source, geothermal energy creates significantly less greenhouse gases.
Planet EARTH is our only home, all of us living on this planet has the responsibility to protect and preserve her. I encourage everyone reading this blog to learn more about Global Warming and Climate Change, educate yourself about the current crisis facing our planet and take some action to help her heal.
The information below is actually something you can verify and see that something is happening to our planet you can see the changes for yourself.
The Arctic sea ice has reached its lowest ever recorded extent, in ‘dramatic changes’, which signal that man-made global warming is having a major impact on the polar region. Drag the slider across the map to see how the ice has shrunk between 1979 and 2012.
To learn more on the melting of the artic sea ice click here Inter-active Map (Source, The Guardian)
Operation Green Leaves 22nd Anniversary September 29th
The entire month of September Operation Green Leaves has been celebrating 22 years of service in South Florida and Haiti with an online campaign to create awareness and raise funds for our projects both here in South Florida and Haiti. We h
ope to be able to continue to provide our urgent environmental programs and projects 22 more years and beyond. We know however it will be challenging without the financial support of members and friends. Tomorrow September 29th is the actual Date, so if you have not had the opportunity to make your tax-deductible anniversary gift, please consider doing it today. Any amount will contribute to help us continue to reach our goals. Simply go to http://www.oglhaiti.com/ and click make a donation. We are counting on your support.
PICTURE DESIGNED BY JR. GREEN LEAVES CLUB AT HUBERT O SIBLEY ELEMENTARY.
Peace & Blessings,
Nadine C. Patrice, Executive Director
Operation Green Leaves Inc.
Earth’s spiritual evolution
Join us for a worldwide meditation TODAY, November 1st at 11:11 am pacific time 2:11 Eastern time. http://www.evolutionaryleaders.net
GoGreen Action Steps
GoGreen ActionSteps:choose hotels with linen reuse programs.Hotels save an average of 11-17% on hot water & Sewage cost http://www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com
GLOBAL GIVING CHALLENGE OCT. 19TH 2011
Global Giving Bonus Day Challenge: October 19TH 2011
Please support Operation Green Leaves Environmental Center & Volunteer Village Project posted on Global Giving. Please help us meet the challenge on October 19th, by visiting http://www.globalgiving.org/6060 . For additional info on the project visit http://openarchitecturenetwork.org/projects/oglhaiti
On October 19, GlobalGiving.org is matching at 30% all online donations up to $1,000 per donor per project! There is $100,000 available in matching funds starting at 12:01 am EDT.In addition to the 30% match, GlobalGiving is offering a $1,000 bonus to the project that raises the most funds that day and a $1,000 bonus to the project that receives donations from the most individual donors! Donations are tax-deductible. MOST IMPORTANTLY SHARE THIS INFO. WITH YOUR FRIENDS & FAMILY.
Peace & Blessings,
Thank You.
GO GREEN ACTION STEPS
GoGreen Action Steps: If every U.S. computer & Monitor were to shut off every night, the nation could shut down 8 large power stations & avoiding emitting 7 million tons of CO2 Every year. Start shutting your computer & monitor at night today!
When the economy improves,Earth’s environment will improve
Please take a look at this great interview, “When the economy improves,
Earth’s environment will improve. The economy and environmental issues are truly connected. That has been our message at OGL for years. To find real solutions to Haiti’s environmental issues, we need to provide sustainable economic alternative as well as alternative energy sources. I spoke to a friend today in Haiti, she was sadden by the fact that in some part of Haiti, people are still cutting trees on the side of the roads. She explained to me although it is sad, we need to provide an economic alternative. I am calling for a National Reforestation Plan in Haiti, which will include the alternatives mentioned above, & education. All the sectors of the society need to be involve, goverment, private, professional, schools.
Haiti’s New President Speaks at the U.N General Assembly
On Friday September 23rd Haiti’s new President, Mr. Michel Martelly spoke at the United Nation’s General Assembly. I am so please to see that he mentioned that addressing the urgent issue of deforestation and Global Warming is a top priority to the sustainable reconstruction of Haiti. I am so delighted that Haiti’s leadership is going in the right direction finally. It has always been Operation Green Leaves message from day one, and now for 21 years that “any sustainable reconstruction of Haiti must include restoring Haiti’s environment, specifically an agressive national reforestation plan.
Our Vision: A Green & Sustainable Haiti!
Peace & Blessings,
Nadine C. Patrice
Executive Director, Operation Green Leaves Inc.
NOTE: Operation Green Leaves is celebrating its 21st Year Annivesary this september with an online campaign instead of a gala or dinner, reducing our carbon footprint. Join our campaign & make a tax-deductible donation at http://www.oglhaiti.com click on give 10
Wangari Maathai, Farewell
Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maatha, Founder of the Greenbelt Movement died on Sunday at the age of 71
Our sincere condolences goes out to her immediate and global family. She was my inspiration standing for what she knew was right not matter what. From an unknowned scientist to the first African female laureate. She had an amazing ability to connect complex environmental issues with their impact on ordinary people. Farewell you were a global inspiration. You came to this planet for a specific purpose, Job well done. May you rest in Peace.
Nadine C. Patrice
Executive Director , Operation Green Leaves.
Sustainable Reconstruction of Haiti
Kenscoff, Haiti
Denuded mountains of kenscoff
Good Morning, Members, Friends & all earthlings!
As probably most of you know as it has been reported in the news 14
months after the devastating earthquake, progress is still so slow in Haiti
Tent Cities are still there. Last week 3 people died as a result of the
2010 earthquake when a house collapse on them. With that said, there
are still some steps being taken by various non-profit organizations, such
as Food for the Poor, Ecoworks International, and some socially councious
businesses.
Members of Operation Green Leaves’ team working on the Environmental
center & volunteer village in Archaie. Haiti just came back from Haiti.
The mission was very productive. We are blessed to have Architect for
Humanity and other great Architectural firms donating their time and
talents to the project. We however need your financial support to make
the center a reality. Our goal is not only reforestation, but education &
training as well. to learn more about the project and to make a tax-
deductible donation, please visit http://www.globalgiving.org/6060
Restoring Haiti’s environment is a key element in the sustainable
reconstruction of Haiti. We must address the root cause of the
ecological destruction in Haiti. Provide alternative fuel souces and
energy & economic empowerment. Our motto is “Help Haitians Help
Themselves”. We are providing the tools to help our brothers & sisters
rise themselves out of poverty. Sharing a few pictures of one of our
partner orgnizations in Kenscoff, Haiti. Empowering a group of women
“Fanm kap plante”, Women who are planting. Also pictures of deforested
mountains of kenscoff. Please help in anyway you can. visit:
http://www.globalgiving.org/6060
Peace & Blessings,
Nadine C. Patrice, Executive Director
THE CHALLENGE. GLOBAL GIVING, OGL’S ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER & VOLUNTEER VILLAGE
Operation Green Leaves REALLY need your support. Operation Green Leaves finally qualified and earned a temporary spot on Global Giving. Our project is the building of our environmtal center and volunteer village in Arcahaie, Haiti.
THE CHALLENGE IS: in order for us to qualify for a permanent spot on Global Giving, we need to RAISE $4,000 FROM 50 DONORS BY SEPTEMBER 30TH.
If we meet the challenge, we will be able to stay on and have a permanent spot on Global Giving and most importantly continue our fund-raising efforts to raise money for our project in Arcahaie and better yet we will have the opportunity to submit othe projects and raise funds for these particular projects.
To Donate visit: www.globalgiving.org/6060
Keep the spotlight on HAITI, The people of Haiti deserve better.
3 months already since the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, the raining season is well on its way and the people in the most affected areas ARE STILL WAITING for the promised help even though in the news we hear billions have been raised for the PEOPLE OF HAITI. The % of help reaching the real victims is TOO LOW. In the news you see flashes of this internatinal group helping or this celebrity helping, but it is really a very small percentage of what is needed. The funds have been raised, the knowledge and technology to really bring the assistance is available…WHAT’S THE HOLD-UP???
I get glimses of the REALITY in Haiti everyday from my partner grass roots organizations on the ground. Some of them are in different regions of the country and their information is similar. They are tired of going from meetings to meetings in Haiti, tired of getting promises that are not kept. They are than unable help the victims. One of them was promised tents, they told her record the names of all people in the area in needs of a tent and tarp. She does. When she is ready, she goes to the agency to give s her list and the person in charge of this supposibly reputable organization, leaves Haiti with no follow-up. These are the kinds of Stories i hear from our partners. My message is: Please donate to smaller grass roots organizations that can get the Job Done or go volunteer and help them get back their life together. May be the larger organizations, Agencies and Government will catch up with the progress at some point. I KNOW that God is in Haiti, I KNOW watching what is going on. The people of Haiti have suffered enough they deserve better. THE NEED IS URGENT, THE RAINING SEASON IS HERE, NO ELECTRICITY, THE SUFFERING IS JUST TOO MUCH. JUST IMAGINE IT COULD BE ANY OF US , WE WERE JUST BLESSED TO BE BORN IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY. WWW.OGLHAITI.COM FOR MORE INFO.
All Night Function at Miami-Dade College to Fight Poverty in Haiti
Miami-Dade College’s Center for Community Involvement asked me to be their Key Note Speaker for an “All Nighter for Haiti” on October 16th, which was “World Food Day.” The goal was to raise $20,000 for several projects with the objective of improving the lives of those living in specific poverty ridden communities in Haiti. The funds were being raised specifically for Food For The Poor Inc.’s 3 special projects.
The first one was a feeding project for the poor in Cite Soleil, the second was a Tilapia farming project for personal consumption as well as economic sustainability. Food for the Poor’ s partner for this project is the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund. The 3rd was a Tree Planting Project called “Green Day Tree Planting Project. Students would plant trees One Friday a month. Species of trees would be planted for nutrition and a source of income in the chosen community.
The poverty and hunger situation in Haiti is currently out of control and tragic. The U.N. Development Report list Haiti asn number 148 out of 179 countries that have not been able to provide the basic needs for their people to improve their standard of living.
It is a fact that evironmental degradation is directly linked to poverty, so I beleive that addressing the environmental problems in Haiti is a starting point. Operation Green Leaves understood this from the start. It is specifically for that reasons that when the founders of OGL wanted to do something to help with the abject poverty that they witnessed in Haiti in the early 90’s, they decided that the best way was to address the environmental problems. I hope that the authorities in Charge in Haiti, will one day understand that to rebuilding and create a sustainable Haiti they will have to make the ecological restoration in Haiti a priority. Currently it is obviously not.
I am please that some friends of Haiti like Food for the Poor, the Center for Community Involvement of Miami Dade Community College took some action last Oct. 16h.
Environmental Justice Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
On Saturday June 20th, under the leadership of Al Callaway, an Environmental Justice Conference was organized at the Broward County main library in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The Conference was sponsored by Operation Green Leaves Inc., the South Florida Community Partners, EarthWise Productions, Inc., Florida Atlantic University, the Wilderness Society and the South Florida Times.
The main topic of discussion at the conference was the Recovery Stimulus Act funding for Everglades Restoration – $360 million. The Opening speaker and host was Audrey Peterman of EarthWise Productions. I was on a panel.
Participating agencies represented on various panels included the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District. Frank Peterman, Regional Director of the Wilderness Society spoke about the importance of maintaining our National Park system.
The main message was that the under-served communities and the poor and disadvantage communities must be included in and be positively impacted by the Recovery Stimulus Act funding for Eveglades Restoration. The General public must be educated on the subjects. The attendees which included a number of Community activists, community based organizations and other agencies were encourage to bring the message back home to their communities.
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- One of several panel discussions
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- Frank Peterman, Regional Director, The Wilderness Society, Speaker at the conference
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- Audrey Peterman, President of EarthWise Production Inc., Host of conference
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- Curtis Mozie and Antonia Frazer, members of the South Florida Community partners
Operation Green Leaves 