Inspiring Good Stewards to Restore Our Land and Strengthen Our Communities
A good steward does not simply safeguard valuable resources; they actively improve them to leave every system stronger and more functional. At the Sustainable Learning Center, our mission rests on supporting our two essential life-support systems: land stewardship that cares for our air, water, soil, and wildlife, and social stewardship that builds fair, welcoming communities. It is our core passion to inspire good stewards by sharing real stories, practical wisdom, and simple solutions for everyday life.
Good Stewardship simply means taking active, thoughtful responsibility for the places and communities we all depend on. Through long-term planning, careful action, and working together, we can protect what we value today so future generations can have a sustainable future.
Building a sustainable future: Depends on supporting two essential life-support systems:
- Land Stewardship (Our Natural Life-Support)
Caring for the air, water, soil, and living creatures that keep our planet alive. When we practice water conservation, rebuild healthy soil, protect native species, and reduce waste, we honor our deep connection to the natural world.
- Social Stewardship (Our Human Life-Support)
Building healthy, fair, and welcoming communities. This means active civic participation in local education, healthcare, public safety, and governance. When decisions are transparent and inclusive, community resources work for and are available to everyone.
The Ethics That Guide Our Work: Whether we’re publishing a blog post, breaking down complex policy, or sharing real-world stories of restoration, our work is informed by Core Principles:
- Restore & Conserve: Heal damaged ecosystems through scientifically proven best practices and wise management of our natural resources.
- Conservation of Biodiversity: Conserve the organisms that support food webs and vibrant ecosystems.
- Mimic and Learn from Nature: Balance natural cycles (like water, carbon, and nitrogen) and maximize solar energy by working with nature not against her
- Smart Solutions: Use science and technology wisely to fix ecological and social problems.
- Respect & Equitable Access: Seek to understand diverse needs, experiences, and cultures while supporting the fair distribution of essential community resources like education, healthcare, safe/affordable housing and healthy food/ water supply.
- Give More Than We Take: Leave our neighborhoods, society, and the Earth better than we found them.
- Inspire Lifelong Learning: Keep curiosity alive about our planet and the people who share it.
What You’ll Find on Our Blog & YouTube Channel: Every story we share follows a simple, transparent path designed to move us from concern to constructive action:
- The Reality Check (The “Bad”): An honest look at where natural or social systems have been degraded by making poor decisions and taking more than we give.
- The Stewardship Pivot (The Principles): Applying natural wisdom, smart technology, and civic responsibility to reframe the problem and fix the problem.
- The Solution in Action (The “Good”): Inspiring, real-world stories of restoration and stewardship paired with 2–3 simple actions you can take in your own community.
We live in a world where it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by news about environmental and social damage. But at The Sustainable Learning Center, we believe the path forward isn’t found in doom-and-gloom—it’s found in stewardship.
Who we are:
Nev and Tammy Slade are keen to “pass forward” the many blessings we have received.
Nev is a farm boy who grew up in the stunningly beautiful hills of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, during apartheid. A peaceful, exciting, youth where the injustices of apartheid (no vote, poor schooling, and unequal opportunities) were muted by the farm’s remoteness, and parents who prohibited discrimination with his Zulu playmates. This experience did however inspire a passion for social equity and a deep respect for the freedoms under the US Constitution.
After following Nev’s dream working with Thoroughbred horses in Lexington, Kentucky and studying Equine Reproductive Physiology at Colorado State, they moved back to California to pioneer embryo transfer and ultrasound in the horse industry.
Ultimately settling in the Mojave Desert where two “strapping lads” were born-Colin and Jono and then the best years of raising a family with an ever expanding family of friends and fellow “Desert Rats”. The boys both caught the local spirit of independence and perseverance and work as technology entrepreneurs.
Twenty years later the subtle beauty, character and openness of this diverse semi-desert has taken deep root.
Nev does have a real job as a Community College professor, teaching diverse classes from natural resource management to sustainable agriculture and equine science.
Seven years ago we decided to put our words into action and actually live green. We purchased 7.5 acres of land in the Mojave and began to build what we thought would be our dream “off the grid” home and lifestyle. Very soon we realized that we had bitten off “a big Chunk” and began to document the joys, challenges and heart ache we experienced and now offer sustainable living workshops and internships-basically sharing the pain!!
The Sustainable Learning Center Website is intended to tell our story; thank and encourage the many friends and family who have helped with our journey. We also envision it to be a hub for learning on the thinking and practices that we believe can help change society’s current self-destructive path.
Recent Comments