All the interacting parts of the physical and biological worlds. When ecologists talk about ecosystems or native ecosystems, they are talking about a big topic! The topic addresses the essence of the natural world and figuring out how it works. Native ecosystems are ecosystems that function with their original parts intact. The natural biological, chemical, and physical processes that resulted in
Earth's rich biodiversity are, however, under threat from myriad environmental problems such as habitat fragmentation, ozone depletion, development, pollution, nonnative species, and damming of rivers (just to name a few!). Altering the processes that resulted in the vast and magical diversity of life has had direct negative impacts on the plants, animals, and microorganisms that depend on these processes. The links between all of these biological and physical parts are, therefore, being severed one by one and eventually the system as a whole (ecosystem) begins to suffer. Placement of a dam on a river might not seem like a big event in the geological history of the Earth, but it can fundamentally change the entire riverine ecosystem and negatively impact the aquatic organisms both upstream and downstream of where its located. A few pieces of litter carelessly tossed at the beach might not seem like a big deal on any time scale but the cumulative impact of this carelessness results in harm to birds and mammals that become entangled in litter or treat it like food. These small or large changes to the native ecosystem add up, and sometimes result in the decline or extinction of certain species. Wilderness is a really just a collection of native ecosystems with the largest wilderness areas often preserving the integrity of the largest portion of the original ecosystem(s). In our efforts to make people more aware of the native ecosystems, biodiversity, and wilderness that surrounds them, the INDIAN GREEN PEACE SOCEITY Project hopes to educate humanity about the importance of protecting, conserving, and taking care of these precious parts. The power of volunteers should never be underestimated. In fact, volunteers form the heart and soul of the Indian Green Peace Soceity and many other nonprofit organizations around the world. Volunteers bring enthusiasm, insight, and inspiration to a project. They truly make our mission come alive and are themselves the reason that good deeds are done. Great volunteers make great things happen! Volunteerism can take many forms and might address issues as diverse as poverty, homelessness, malnutrition, disease prevention, education, environmental stewardship, habitat restoration, and wilderness conservation. What all these forms of volunteerism have in common is that they address the root causes of problems that affect us all. Unfortunately, governments are incapable of solving the significant problems that face humanity either because of lack of funding or lack of leadership. Volunteers can fill that gap by providing their help for free to truly make a difference in the world. Whether you are helping the homeless or working to preserve the environment, you are taking part in something that needs to be done and will ultimately benefit society and make the world a better place for future generations. However, sometimes getting started or knowing where to start is the hardest part! What follows is our attempt to help you in your quest to become a volunteer and give back to your community and the earth. These links provide a wealth of ideas and possibilities that might never have occurred to you. Whether you live in the country or the city, there is guaranteed to be a volunteer opportunity close by with a nonprofit organization eager to have you help.
