Mike Collignon’s Post

Was just reading the foreword by Doug Tallamy...WOW! Here's a small sample... “Every once in a while, a book comes along that meets an important need most people don’t know they have. Sarah Jayne’s Nature’s Action Guide is such a book. Sarah could have called her book Conservation for Dummies—not that she wrote it for true dummies, but because she has identified a subject everyone needs to know but almost no one was ever taught: how to share our spaces with the natural world.” … “Sarah wrote Nature’s Action Guide as a complement to my book Nature’s Best Hope. My last chapter suggested 10 things homeowners could/should do to help share their property with nature. After reading my book, Sarah set about trying to enact each of these suggestions in her own yard but quickly realized that, even as an experienced gardener, she didn’t know enough to be successful. And if she didn’t know enough, many other budding conservationists were likely to struggle as well. Sarah’s solution was to write Nature’s Action Guide, a step-by-step, easy to use manual that explains how each of us, regardless of our background or gardening experience, can accomplish all of the goals I propose in Nature’s Best Hope, as well as several I only hinted at! Restoration biology is a relatively young scientific discipline a few decades old. Practicing restoration in human-dominated landscapes, in comparison, is in its infancy and we are still learning what works and what doesn’t work. One of its many distinguishing features is that Nature’s Action Guide is current, explaining state-of-the-art conservation in suburbia with the most up-to-date best-practices available. Even a half-hearted attempt to follow Sarah’s action items is guaranteed to improve the biodiversity potential of your landscape and thus the productivity of your local ecosystem. For this, we all owe Sarah Jayne our heartfelt thanks and gratitude—because, whether we appreciate it or not, we all depend on those same ecosystems.” Douglas W. Tallamy

I want to celebrate a win. I want to thank you all and share my gratitude for winning the Otago University 3MT Grand Final doctorate 'People's Choice' in 2023 by an overwhelming margin. Leading people through a thesis in just three minutes (3MT) is not easy. Keep it simple and practice. It is an outstanding win for the Business School and the Doctor of Bus Admin Programme (currently ranked no.1 in the world). My research confronts the critical issue of continuing global biodiversity loss due to a global wildlife investment gap. In just 50 years, the Living Planet Index has collapsed by 70%. The UN is calling for urgent action saying the situation is now critical.   Yet we spend more on cosmetic surgery and cosmetics than securing our children's future with nature. Are our children really ok with what we are taking away from them? Ask them. 'Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini' My translation; it is not my win, but our win.  We at Otago University are designing and testing a new bulk international financial tool that will help your children - it is called the BIC. Thank you once again and watch this space.

Today marks a milestone for me– my 55th birthday. And today as I'm thinking about it, I'm embracing where life has brought me. The storms I've weathered have shaped me, and I look forward to the future with optimism. Through the years, I've learned invaluable lessons: 1. Resilience is key. Every challenge has been an opportunity for growth. 2. Authenticity matters. Being true to oneself leads to genuine connections. 3. Gratitude transforms perspective. Appreciating life's small joys creates lasting happiness. 4. Continuous learning keeps us young at heart. 5. Integrity is non-negotiable. It's the foundation of trust and success in all aspects of life. These insights have profoundly impacted both my personal and professional life. I approach each day with a more positive outlook, cherishing relationships and finding fulfillment in helping others. As I step into this new year, I'm excited about the possibilities ahead. Here's to embracing life's journey, learning from our experiences, and making the most of every moment. Thank you to everyone who's been part of my story. Your support and friendship mean the world to me. Here's to new adventures and continued growth! Silva 425.269.7229

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When we see any of our 4 core values in action--Safety, Sustainability, Social Impact, and / or Awesomeness--that's Verde Vibes! How will you #VerdeVibe your new year?

If you read this post you most likely had some positive impact or influence in my life and I would like to thank you for it by sharing this post from ManKind Project, ManKind Project really does amazing work not just for men but for men and everything and everyone they stand for and are connected to, be it family, friends, workmates.

I do this every day. I like to think of every day you wake as a new birth. How many of you have this unique perspective of LIFE? I'm just curious... Gratitude is the key to unlocking the abundant joys of life. Every morning, as we open our eyes and take a breath, we are blessed with the gift of another day. Let's pause for a moment to appreciate the sheer miracle of our existence. 🌟 Being grateful for waking up each day is a powerful mindset that can transform our lives. It reminds us to cherish the present moment, embrace the opportunities that come our way, and find joy in the simplest of things. 🙏 Take a deep breath right now. Feel the air filling your lungs, giving you life and vitality. Isn't it amazing? This act of breathing is a reminder that you have a purpose to fulfill, dreams to chase, and a unique contribution to make in this world. 💫 Let's embark on a gratitude journey together. Let's make it a habit to express appreciation for the small and big blessings that surround us. By cultivating gratitude, we attract more positivity, abundance, and fulfillment into our lives. So, today and every day, let's be grateful for the gift of waking up, for the breath that sustains us, and for the mere fact that we exist. Let's spread positivity and inspire others to embrace gratitude too. 🌈 #Gratitude #Blessed #EveryDayIsAGift #mindsetMatters #Appreciation #Thankful #Existence #SpreadPositivity Who ever thought 👁 needed a process is sadly mistaken FW: know my name 🙏

Ladies and gentlemen, In the vast tapestry of existence, one thread binds us all – our shared humanity. It is this very essence that we must celebrate and harness to shape a world that resonates with compassion, empathy, and kindness. Humanity is not just a collective noun; it is a force, a potential that resides within each of us. It's the ability to understand, to connect, and to uplift. In a world often dominated by the tumultuous waves of change, our humane nature becomes the anchor that steadies the ship. The power of humane nature lies in its transformative ability. When we approach one another with empathy, we bridge gaps, dismantle barriers, and foster understanding. It is through acts of compassion that we cultivate a sense of unity, recognizing that, regardless of our differences, we all share the same fundamental aspirations for happiness, peace, and prosperity. Consider the impact of a single act of kindness. It ripples through the fabric of society, inspiring others to pay it forward. This interconnected web of empathy has the potential to mend the fractures in our world, healing wounds and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Our humanity is the compass that guides us toward justice, equality, and collective well-being. It propels us to confront challenges with resilience and seek solutions that benefit the greater good. It is the driving force behind movements that challenge injustice and champion the rights of the oppressed. As we navigate the complexities of our modern era, let us not forget the profound influence of our humane nature. In times of uncertainty, it is the beacon that illuminates the path toward a better world. By nurturing our shared humanity, we cultivate a world where every individual is valued, heard, and respected. In conclusion, let us embrace the power of our humane nature. It is not a luxury but a necessity in shaping a world where compassion prevails, and the collective spirit of humanity guides us toward a brighter and more harmonious future. Thank you. 🌍☮️🏅🇮🇳

Need some motivation to kick start your career ? ....this inspirational post from Sophie is a good starting point! The reality is, it's not easy to find your dream job.... and it rarely comes through luck. So, a simple question - do you have a career strategy? It sounds simple, but it is all about being realistic about your capabilities (self awareness), being able to articulate what your ideal role "looks like" and then preparing yourself for it - as the old saying goes, "if you don't know where you are going, you will never get there". The final part of the process is aligning yourself with an organisation who you can "connect" with - their values, behaviours and objectives resonate positively with you - this is what Sophie referred to as "culture", others call it "fit". At ngageconsulting, we have developed a career enhancing process which takes you through everything described above...and much more. We call it the Career Accelerator Program (CAP). Like Sophie's positive experience with Agrii, the CAP will help you clarify what your future could look like and it will challenge, stimulate and, ultimately, prepare you for your next career move .....that might be your first step into management or striving for CEO. The CAP is there for all! So Please DM me or my colleague, Bo Bronserud, to find out more about the CAP. Alternatively, we are more than happy to simply have an informal and confidential chat and please remember....it's good to dream!