We often think of conservation as something that happens in distant lands—deep in the Amazon, under Arctic ice, or on remote coral reefs.

But the truth is, conservation begins much closer to home.

It starts in our backyards, in the spaces just beyond our doorsteps. And what we do in these small spaces matters far more than most of us realize.

Nature is deeply connected.

What happens in your yard, your neighborhood, your town—ripples outward.

The fertilizer you use, the trees you plant (or cut down), the wildlife you welcome or chase away... it all echoes beyond your fence line.

Where I live in South Texas, we were once one of the world’s top bird-watching destinations. Our skies were filled with vibrant migrations—hundreds of species passing through, season after season.

But I’ve seen it change… Fast.

Habitat destruction, the heavy use of pesticides, and the disappearance of wild spaces are pushing our birds away—or worse, pushing them to extinction. Every year, the number of birds that make their way through here shrinks.

It’s not a slow fade anymore… It’s alarming.

And it’s not just birds. Insects. Mammals. Reptiles. It’s all connected.

A bird loses its nesting ground because we removed a native tree. That loss affects the insects it feeds on, the predators that rely on it, and the plants that relied on its movement for pollination.

It’s a domino effect… And we’re seeing those dominos fall.

I’ve spent years traveling the world photographing wildlife, from gorillas in Uganda to polar bears in the Arctic. And I’ve learned that the health of the wildest places is directly influenced by the choices we make in the tamest ones.

We’re part of this system too.

The more we care for the patch of earth we’re standing on—the more likely we are to protect the rest of it.

Conservation doesn’t just belong to scientists or global organizations. It belongs to all of us.

So let’s start small.

Let native plants grow wild. Put up a water bowl for the birds. Skip the pesticides.

Teach your kids to love snakes instead of fear them. Celebrate the raccoons and coyotes and opossums that pass through your neighborhood.

They’re part of the web too.

Because when you care for your backyard, you’re not just helping your local ecosystem—you’re helping the planet… One connected piece at a time.