Aboriginal people lived in harmony with the environment prior to 1900, and although the term “stewardship” was unknown to them, much of their lifestyle and interactions with the natural world were the best teachers.
Stewardship is a relatively new concept born in the early part of the last century. Stewardship might be defined as: “an ownership of responsibility for the environment. It means caring for the land in a responsible way to ensure that healthy ecosystems are passed on to future generations. Habitat stewardship for species at risk involves land use practices that maintain or recover the quality and amount of habitat required by rare species. Anyone who contributes to the health of the world around them, and takes action to look after it, is a steward.”
But doesn’t this last statement also mean: “Anyone who abides by the regulations of environmental laws, contributes to the health of the world around them, and takes action to apply it, is a steward?”