What is your idea of a livable planet? At Earth Share we envision a world in which our air, water and food are safe, our children can grow up in healthy, clean communities, and the wonders of our natural resources and open spaces are protected so they can thrive for generations. We envision a world where we are all environmental stewards, from the largest corporation to each individual. As more and more people become aware of the vital connection between their actions and the impact on our environment, we are challenged to change our thinking and our approach to caring for it. Earth Share’s member groups are leading the way. Here are just some of the ways our respected environmental and conservation member charities have been stewards of our planet:

In spring 2006 The Conservation Fund (TCF) announced an agreement with The Home Depot® to offset the company's 2006 carbon emissions through TCF’s “Go Zero” reforestation program. The company agreed to fund the planting of thousands of trees across metro Atlanta, GA, to help offset emissions created by its headquarters and their associates commuting to work and traveling on business.

Further west, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) played a critical role in helping the state of California pass the Global Warming Solutions Act, the most ambitious law in the nation aimed at limiting statewide global warming pollution. In doing so, NRDC helped to move California into the international forefront of global warming solutions.

Meanwhile, The Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) helped the city of St. Paul, MN, outline strategies to reach its goal of becoming a climate-neutral city with zero net carbon dioxide emissions. IWLA recommended three primary objectives: increase energy-efficiency, increase renewable development, and decrease vehicle miles traveled.

In May, an independent study commissioned by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Florida Wildlife Federation announced that many of Florida's coastal bays and estuaries will be inundated by 2100 due to sea-level rise from global warming, making the "Fishing Capital of the World" uninhabitable by some of Florida's most prized game fish. NWF's report, Unfavorable Tide: Global Warming, Coastal Habitats and Sportfishing in Florida, revealed that a 15-inch rise in average sea level during this century could result in the loss of 50 percent of critical saltmarsh, 84 percent of tidal flats, and 30 percent of ocean beaches.

In partnership with local groups, Beyond Pesticides launched its "Want a Green Lawn Safe for Children and Pets?" campaign. Their booklet, Threatened Waters: Turning The Tide On Pesticide Contamination, is rallying public support for organic land care practices that protect public health, water quality and the environment.

Friends of the Earth, the Center for Food Safety and the Pesticide Action Network won their case against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for authorizing permits for experimental crops in Hawaii that could threaten human health and endangered species. The authorization to plant sugarcane and corn genetically modified to contain hormones, vaccines, or proteins when harvested violated the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act.

Meanwhile, The Union of Concerned Scientists released Greener Eggs and Ham: The Benefits of Pasture-Raised Swine, Poultry, and Egg Production. The report explains how to avoid problems that conventional production poses for water and air quality and animal and public health, and explains the definitions, standards, and label claims for pasture-raised foods.

"BE SAFE," the Center for Health, Environment and Justice's (CHEJ) nationwide campaign advocating precautionary approaches to environmental decisions, launched an online clearinghouse of 60 model policies promoting pollution prevention and green purchasing. CHEJ is spearheading this campaign to build a unified demand for preventive, protective policies in America.

In summer 2006, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) announced a funding partnership with Coca-Cola® to catalyze trail development and maintenance in areas that include Georgia, Alabama, and 13 other communities, increasing RTC’s nationwide offerings of converted trails and greenways devoted to healthy outdoor recreation.

Providing safe places to play and exercise outdoors for urban neighborhoods is an increasing part of The Trust for Public Land's project work, including the creation of a one-acre community park at P.S. 274 in Brooklyn. The park now serves the school's 1,000 students as well as children and families in the surrounding community.

With more than 40 percent of America's waters considered legally impaired for fishing, swimming, or drinking, and because global warming poses increased threats of drought, floods and other extreme weather events, Clean Water Fund launched a national education campaign urging public support to strengthen protection of all of our nation's waterways and to resist pressure from special interests to limit protection of the Clean Water Act.

World Wildlife Fund, together with the American Prairie Foundation, created a new prairie reserve in the Northern Great Plains. For the first time in 120 years, five wild, genetically pure bison were born on the plains of eastern Montana and have made their home in this new reserve.

In the meantime, Defenders of Wildlife (DW) and The Wilderness Society helped keep oil wells out of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. DW also worked to prevent the passage of the Wildlife Extinction Bill that would have rendered the Endangered Species Act ineffective, and got a ban on aerial gunning of wolves placed on the Alaskan ballot.

Results from the National Audubon Society's ninth annual "Great Backyard Bird Count" provided a comprehensive snapshot of North America's birdlife, yielding information about species in southern states hit by hurricanes, an invasion of Snowy Owls in the Pacific Northwest, and continued drops in counts of American Crows, which have been plagued by West Nile virus.

The Peregrine Fund (TPF) continued its own work to restore endangered California Condors in Arizona and Aplomado Falcons in Texas and New Mexico, as well as numerous other species internationally. In November, biologists for TPF rediscovered the Madagascar Pochard, a medium-sized diving duck that was considered extinct by many authorities until this sighting.

Overseas, the African Wildlife Federation (AWF) planted 41,500 trees in the once badly deforested Loitokitok forest of the Kilimanjaro Heartland of Africa. AWF also formed five community land trusts through which villages may co-manage their pooled resources in ways that supplement their livelihoods.

In Argentina, years of research and advocacy by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) resulted in the creation of a new national park, filled with unique biodiversity that includes penguins, dolphins, sea lions, and killer whales. WCS in Afghanistan identified 13 new bird species and is working to create a trans-boundary "peace park" to protect endangered animals such as snow leopards.

In 2006 Conservation International announced a new campaign with the China Environment Culture Promotion Association seeking to increase public pride in protecting China's rich and unique nature so the nation can host a truly "Green Olympics" in 2008. The two-year campaign is aimed at creating a conservation ethic in the nation of 1.3 billion people for the Beijing Olympics and beyond.

In unprecedented coordination with 11 of The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) state programs and several other partners, including The Conservation Fund, TNC completed a complex 280,000-acre acquisition from International Paper that will conserve significant areas of freshwater and forest habitat in the United States.

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) and Honda Motor Company® joined forces to launch "Conservation in Motion," a partnership targeting some of the nation's most urgent conservation issues. The effort will enable SCA volunteers to restore damaged desert landscapes, re-vegetate native plants, preemptively monitor wildfire conditions, and perform other conservation assignments from coast to coast.

American Rivers celebrated the creation of the first ever National Historic Trail entirely on water, providing federal recognition to thousands of miles of waters. The Captain John Smith Historic Trail allows visitors to revisit Smith's voyages around the Chesapeake, offering millions of Americans opportunities for recreation and education.

In April 2006, a six year effort by the Land Trust Alliance and partners paid off with the creation of New York's Conservation Tax Credit. This will create incentive for conservation across the state, enabling landowners with modest incomes to conserve their land without sacrificing financial security and providing a powerful motivator for landowners to abide by the terms of their easements.

Earlier in the year, the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) issued a white paper detailing five ways that the government and the American public can fix our national parks in time for the National Park Service's 100th birthday in 2016. NPCA's Turning Point report shows that the parks' annual operating shortfall has grown from $600 million to more than $800 million over the last five years, and that one in every three national parks suffers from the effects of air pollution.

American Forests (AF) planted more than a million trees in over two dozen ecosystem restoration projects. AF's ecosystem analysis center conducted green infrastructure analyses for a half dozen urban areas; assisted 40 schools with teacher training seminars; and started a large scale ecosystem analysis in 30 counties affected by hurricane Katrina.

The Ocean Conservancy’s hard work to protect the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and its diverse ecosystem -- home to sharks, whales, coral reefs and monk seals -- paid off when President Bush declared the islands a national monument, making them the largest marine reserve on Earth.

The Surfrider Foundation enjoyed numerous local victories in its own efforts to protect and preserve the world's oceans and beaches. They received final approval from the California Coastal Commission for the restoration of Surfer's Point in Ventura, CA; stopped a destructive emergency dune restoration project in Treasure Coast, FL; and successfully promoted adoption of more stringent standards for storm water dumping permits in Los Angeles' South Bay.

Earth Day Network's National Civic Education Campaign, a new approach to environmental education in k-12 schools, scored its first major win in Cincinnati where their five-school pilot project convinced the School Board to convert a traditional school construction bond initiative into a $1 billion "green school" bond.

Environmental Law Institute's highly successful research publication, Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners, was the most frequently downloaded publication from their web site in 2006. It is currently being put to use by planners at the California Department of Fish and Game; in Hall County, GA; New Durham, NH; Milan, NY; and Dane County, WI; as well as in Argentina, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and many other countries.

Each of these accomplishments is made possible by the generosity of Earth Share's donors. Your gifts demonstrate that you share our vision of a livable planet, for today and tomorrow. Your support helps us move closer to making it a reality.

Thank you from all of us at Earth Share!