Becoming A Creation Steward: A Catholic Ethic for the Environment

In conducting nature interpretation hikes and conservation projects over the years, Dr. Tom Collingwood found a common lack of a stewardship ethic in both adults and youth. In turn, he found stewardship will only be sustained if it has meaning and purpose within an individual's worldview as defined by one's faith. Likewise, he believes that environmental stewardship should be integrated with the broader culture of life and the ecology of the human person. Dr. Collingwood is the designer of Eco-Fit, a combined approach to develop stewardship of both the environment and the body (through physical fitness). He has served as a Master Naturalist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, as a volunteer Interpretive Ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park, and as an Interpretive Hikemaster for the YMCA of the Rockies. He currently provides environmental stewardship retreats through the Creatio faith based stewardship organization and the St. Malo Retreat Center in Colorado. The aim of this book is to share the learning from his experiences to provide a faith based ethic for stewardship along with a practical and useful process to learn how to become a Creation Steward. Readers will learn the value and need for increased awareness of the environmental issues and human role while also increasing the awareness of what Holy Scripture teaches. The book offers action plans and ecourages energetic stewardship by adopting a physically active lifestyle.