​Guide of the Perplexed, Part III, chapter 13 

It should not be believed that all the beings exist for the sake of the existence of humanity. On the contrary, all the other beings too have been intended for their own sakes, and not for the sake of something else.… this is what one ought to believe. For when people know their own soul, make no mistakes regarding it, and understand every being according to what it is, they become calm and their thoughts are not troubled by seeking…any final end for what has no final end except its own existence, which depends on the divine will--if you prefer you can also say: on the divine wisdom. 

Adapted by Laura Bellows of the Teva Learning Alliance from Spirit in Nature: Teaching Judaism and Ecology on the Trail by Matt Biers-Ariel, Deborah Newbrun, and Michal Fox Smart (Behrman House, 2000).
 
Ages: 6 and up
 
Setting: Outdoors, in a colorful, biodiverse natural area
 
Goals:

• To strengthen personal commitment to conservation and stewardship
• To increase awareness and observation skills
• To understand the rainbow in a Torah context: A sign of God’s promise never again to destroy the earth and a reflection of the beauty of creation
• To learn the traditional blessing for seeing a rainbow and/or share appreciation of this divine covenant
• To become familiar with appropriate care and collecting practices in nature (for example, not collecting poison ivy, not picking unless abundant)

Zelig Golden explains B'naiture, an innovative, 2-year program leading to Bar or Bat Mitzvah. This groundbreaking program weaves Jewish teachings, story, and song with personal challenges, outdoor skills, non-parental mentorship, peer group community building, and nature awareness activities to provide an embodied way for youth to explore coming-of-age.

Welcome to Fall! Now let’s get our homes ready for the change in season. Given early Fall’s mild weather, it is the best time to work on some of those exterior projects. A bit of early prevention is sure cheaper than repairing water damage later.
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So, lets take it from the top; climb up on the roof (or get a young and healthy helper) to check the flashings (the metal stuff) around your vent pipes sticking up out of your roof. If you see any holes, go get some of the roofing tar sold in buckets from a home improvement store. Are there any missing shingles? Rainwater coming in through the roof will always ruin your day, not to mention your pocketbook. And while you’re up there, make sure the chimney hasn’t moved. Don’t laugh, they do, and the holes created or falling brick can be a serious bummer.

Improving your home's energy efficiency, indoor air quality and water efficiency 
doesn't have to break the bank. Below, I have listed several easy options to green 
your home on the (relative) cheap that should help you to save money on your 
energy bills.
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1. Buy some heavy blackout curtains for your windows and/or doors. Instead of
buying new windows with multiple panes or opting for those stylish but not 
well-insulating blinds, blackout curtains can be found for under fifty dollars 
and can reduce heat loss/gain by a quarter. That gain, of course, is when you 
draw your draperies. In addition, if there is no insulation in your walls, the 
draperies will also act as a layer of insulation trapping the cold air on one 
side and the warm room air on the other (in the summer the reverse is true).

There’s a Movement going on, and the signs are appearing everywhere:
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My local County Fair is edging out Fried Twinkies in favor of a cornucopia of fresh mint, peaches, peppers and other exotic California bounty bursting forth from the fairground’s organic garden.  The State has even bestowed a grant to triple the size of the garden by next year and start a horticulture program for school children.  The local fair is returning to a celebration of its agrarian roots!

The future of wilderness camping, hikes and other sustainable outdoor recreation depends on more people adopting the principles of “Leave No Trace” camping. The core principal is that no one should know you’ve been there after you’ve gone. This means no litter, no smoldering fire pits, no ripped up grass, crushed bushes or re-positioned boulders. It also means staying on the marked trail, never picking plants, flowers or berries, and never harming or disturbing wildlife–endangered or not. 
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Following these simple principles will not only enhance your experience of the wild, but will secure that experience for the next visitor and the next generation.