This is my first blog for the Survive & Thrive Guide. So I want to tell you why I’ve decided to start this blog.

In 2002, when I turned my focus as a writer from health and medical science to the environment, I was hopeful that we could make the changes needed to prevent catastrophic, irreversible climate change and other looming environmental crises. Now nine years later, I have become acutely aware that we are in the midst of an environmental crisis. We also have dwindling resources and a widening gap between rich and poor that set us up for some challenging times ahead.

As I began to look at disaster-proofing and preparing for crises, I realized that local resources and community are the most reliable, accessible sources we have for all the things we need when we are cut off from conventional goods and services. It occurred to me that becoming aware of local resources for food, water and other basic necessities also is a way of becoming more connected to the land, plants and other living things around my neighborhood. I found out that the soil on my land is very good. I expanded my vegetable garden and I’m starting to think about berries and an orchard. We have a spring and ponds in the neighborhood. Some of my neighbors are health practitioners: I have an accupuncturist, a nurse, a massage therapist, and a Reiki practitioner within a half-mile of my house.

Of course, it’s good to stock up on non-perishable food items, and have a source for clean water. I plan to offer lots of resources for these kind of things with this blog. But the main focus will be on how to build resilience for the long-term. The exciting thing about all of this is that learning about food and water sources in my own backyard, and my community is enriching my life now as I prepare for any crisis that may lie ahead.

More than anything, I want to see a better world evolve as we move through this time of chaos. I have been inspired by Starhawk’s “Fifth Sacred Thing” that portrays a community of people who honor each other and nature as they face an enemy that wants to take away the beautiful world they’ve created. Their response is, “There is room for you at our table if you will join us.” I believe together we can find a way to be able to say this and make the world a place where everyone has enough. I hope you’ll join me with your ideas.

Vicki Wolf