Marcus Aurelius

 

If you pursue the matter at hand along the straight path of reason, advancing with intensity, vigor, and grace, and without being distracted along the way; if you keep your divine spirit pure and blameless, as though this were the moment to give it back; if expecting nothing and fearing nothing, you are content to act in accord with nature and to speak with heroic honesty – then you will live well. And no power on earth can stop you. Marcus Aurelius, 121 – 180

A Bit of History -- Valley Forge National Historic Park

I was reminded this week that I am no newcomer to the conservation cause. Here is my testimony in Congress -- in 1975. I was fourteen! I am reminded that conservation -- especially the role of public lands and parks -- has been my life's calling for a very long time. And what a calling it has been. I am so grateful.

M Burget Testimony -- Valley Forge National Historic Park

TNC Farewell Tributes

TNC Tributes to Mark Burget

When I departed The Nature Conservancy for my "hiatus" several years ago, my TNC friends worldwide compiled this lovely book of tributes. Today, I value these kinds words more than ever, and more than anyone can know. Thank you, my dear TNC colleagues, for your kindness. Please keep building the organization worthy of our essential mission and worthy of all those who came before us, on whose shoulders you now stand. I will be cheering you on, from the sidelines, forever.

Deep thanks to TNC Colorado!

TNC Colorado Farewell Tribute to Mark Burget

When my friends at The Nature Conservancy's Colorado Program gave me this parting gift years ago (the first time I left TNC), I was so thankful. Little did I know how thankful I would be so many years later. Thank you TNC Colorado! Please keep building the organization to match your essential mission!

It is still a beautiful world

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, 
and remember what peace there may be in silence. 
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Do Not Be Ashamed

Do Not Be Ashamed

You will be walking some night
in the comfortable dark of your yard
and suddenly a great light will shine
round about you, and behind you
will be a wall you never saw before.

TNC North America Senior Leaders Meeting -- Atlanta -- 3/11/19

Mark Burget -- Remarks
The Nature Conservancy North America Senior Leaders Meeting Atlanta 
3/11/19

Good afternoon, my Nature Conservancy family. Welcome. How good it feels to be with you -- the wonderful, smart, caring, capable people of this amazing organization. This amazing force for the future of life.

But bear with me; instead of the future, I want to talk about the past. And I want to turn from our moment of celebration to a bit of consternation.

Let’s travel back in time. Back to before I was born. This is a true story. The year is 1954. 

A prescient scientist – an ecologist -- sits at a desk, worrying about the havoc that humankind is raining down on the natural world. Our ecologist knows, well ahead of so many others, that nature is the foundation on which our own lives so clearly depend. It’s 1954 – 65 years ago – yet already it is so obvious to this scientist that we are facing a crisis.

Tribute to Phil James

Tribute to Phil James
9 Dec 2018 - Boulder, Colorado
M. Burget

Thank you Carlos – and thank you, Carol, for the leadership you are providing for The Nature Conservancy here in Colorado. And thanks to all of you who make The Nature Conservancy such an amazing organization.

I am very happy to be here among such good friends. You here in Colorado are my most immediate Nature Conservancy family.

Tonight, I am honored to be able to share a few words about our dear friend Phil James. I feel so strongly Phil’s spirit continuing to resonate, here in this room this evening.

In Defense of Walden and Desert Solitaire

In Defense of Walden and Desert Solitaire
31 March 2014
M. Burget

Our Chief Scientist here at The Nature Conservancy, Peter Kareiva, surprised some of us when he ridiculed as hypocrites the American writers Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) and Edward Abbey (1927-1989) in a series of speeches, some now easily found in a quick web search.

Intrigued by the charges, I felt compelled to do some reading. It took some time, but I went back to review what Thoreau wrote in Walden and Abbey wrote in Desert Solitaire. Having done my homework, I believe that Peter missed the enduring message of both books.

150 Cong. Rec. E1474 - PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARK BURGET