The natural world is an incredible wonder that inspires us all. It underpins our economy, our society, indeed our very existence. There is much success in Nature to celebrate both subtle and grand. These are some examples:
Firstly, the evolution of life itself is an incredible success. Over billions of years, nature has evolved an incredible diversity of life on Earth, from simple bacteria to complex animals. This diversity is a testament to nature’s ability to adapt and evolve to changing conditions.
The creation of each new animal or plant is a sign of success in the natural world. It means that the species has survived and thrived, and that its future is secure.
The flowering of plants is a celebration of life too and new beginnings. It is a time for the plant to reproduce and spread its seeds, ensuring its survival.
The migration of birds and animals is a testament to their resilience and adaptability as well. It is a way for them to move and find suitable habitats, food and mates and to avoid predators in an ever-changing world.
Ecosystems are nature’s communities and are successful due to being connected, adaptable and resilient, being able to recover from major disturbances. For example, after a forest fire, new trees will quickly grow back, and the ecosystem will eventually return to its former state. Ecosystems also provide us with a wide range of benefits, such as clean air, water, food, and pollination. These services are essential for human well-being, and they are often taken for granted.
Nature is also full of beauty, from the tiniest of flowers, to towering mountains and the crashing waves of the ocean. This beauty is a source of inspiration and wonder for people all over the world. We celebrate this beauty through art, music, and literature and we celebrate the diversity of nature through travel, scientific study and exploration.
Nature is indeed a complex and amazing system, and we are only just beginning to understand its full potential. We can celebrate the interconnectedness of all living things, and the beauty and wonder of the natural world. In the natural world, success is not about material possessions or personal achievement. It is about the simple things that make nature so special and that give us hope for the future.
We celebrate the importance of nature to our own survival through conservation efforts. The return of a long-lost species is a sign of hope for the future. It means that the species is on the road to recovery. Here are some examples:
The reintroduction of the red kite to Britain is one of the greatest conservation success stories of the 20th century. After decades of persecution from egg collectors and illegal poisoning, red kites were practically extinct in the UK by the late 1980s. However, in 1989, conservationists started re-introducing red kites from Sweden, and their numbers steadily grew. Today, gliding red kites are a common sight over large parts of the countryside. According to the RSPB, they’ve been so successful they no longer need to count them in their annual survey.
The beaver is back too…more than 400 years after it was hunted to extinction in the UK. It was initially illegally released in Tayside, Scotland a few years ago. There are now over 400 beavers in 100 territories including a conservation project locally in Ramsdell. Beavers are now a protected species in Scotland.
The crane’s amazing comeback to the UK is another success story. The crane is the UK’s largest bird, standing at 1.2m tall and flying up to 72km per hour. It was absent as a common breeding bird for nearly 400 years due to hunting and wetland drainage. But thanks to habitat restoration and reintroduction by initiatives like the Great Crane Project there are now an estimated 200 birds in Wales, Scotland, the Fens, Suffolk and Gloucestershire.
The reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park, USA in the 1990s has been another incredible success, rejuvenating the whole of the park, helping to restore balance and diversity.
In areas of flooding across the world, Mangrove forests in coastal areas help calm coastal waters. They have a complex root system that helps to stabilize the shoreline and prevent erosion. Mangroves also help to absorb wave energy, which can reduce the impact of storms and hurricanes.
The creation of wetlands and the preservation of peat bogs are also very important, not just for certain birds, but for capturing and storing carbon and reducing the effects of climate change.
Nature can teach us a lot about success which we can incorporate into our own lives. Here are some thoughts:
Cooperation is a key theme in nature. Many plants and animals rely on each other for survival. For example, bees pollinate flowers, and flowers provide nectar for bees. As discussed previously trees and plants have an underground network of roots and microorganisms which share and help to distribute resources such as water and nutrients, throughout the organism. This can help it to survive in harsh conditions. So too, humans need to cooperate with each other in order to survive and succeed. We need to work together to solve problems and achieve common goals. It is especially heartening when we consider the conservation projects discussed, to see what can be achieved when humans work with and enhance nature.
Patience and perseverance. A seed doesn’t become a tree overnight. It takes time, patience, and perseverance for a seed to grow into a strong, healthy tree. Most gardeners and those with allotments appreciate this. The same is true for success. It takes time, hard work, and dedication to achieve your goals. But its also important to enjoy the journey and mini successes along the way.
Balance. Nature if left alone is balanced. There is a balance between predator and prey, between growth and hibernation, light and dark. We humans also need to find balance in our lives. We need to find a balance between work and play, between looking after others and looking after ourselves and between our physical and mental health.
Adaptability. Nature is constantly changing. Plants and animals have to adapt to these changes in order to survive. The same is true for humans. We need to be adaptable in order to succeed in a world that is constantly changing.
Being present. When we are in nature, we are more likely to be present in the moment and able to consider different perspectives. We are less likely to worry about the past or the future. This allows us to recharge then return to focusing on the task at hand and to be more creative and productive in our lives.
Being humble. Nature reminds us that we are not the most important thing in the world. We are just one tiny part of a much larger system. This can help us to be a nicer person so helps our relationships as we appreciate the interconnectedness of our natural world.
Being grateful. Nature is full of beauty, abundance and possibility. When we spend time in nature, we feel good and we are more likely to be grateful for the things that we have. This can help us to be happier and more content with our lives.
Hopefully we can see that when we look and learn from nature and wonder at its success, we can see our connection to it and how we can be successful in our own lives. Nature is resilient. It can withstand all sorts of challenges, from storms to droughts. Humans can also be resilient. We can bounce back from setbacks and keep going towards our goals enjoying the journey and all we learn on it.
Finally, It’s important to celebrate your successes and reward yourself and those of others as well, as this helps you to feel good, especially if you feel you had a part to play in others success. Maybe take some time to consider your successes and remind others of theirs too…
By Katie James
Katie James runs Walking for Wellness groups in Bramley, Hampshire. The next walk is on Sunday 30th July. These are aimed at helping people build resilience by looking and learning from nature. If interested in coming along, please get in touch.