Natural Systems Solutions

Reconnecting with Nature
for Sustainable Lifestyles, Organizations, and Communities

Sustainable Business and Community Development

   The quote at the top of this page is directly relevant to successful sustainable development. By refusing to adopt a systemic and legally defensible definition of sustainability -- the stance taken by most communities who want to pretend they're on a sustainable path -- they can pass off pretty much any piece of nonsense that supports the status quo as being sustainable.

   Here is the definition of sustainability we use as the basis for our work: integrating our social and economic lives into the environment in ways that tend to enhance or maintain ecosystems rather than degrade or destroy them; a moral imperative to pass on our natural inheritance, not necessarily unchanged, but undiminished in its ability to meet the needs of future generations; finding, and staying within, the balance point amongst population, consumption, and waste assimilation where bioregions, watersheds, and ecosystems maintain their ability to recharge and regenerate.

   From this definition, it follows that a pragmatic, and thus successful, implmentation of sustainable development must start with learning from the sustainability master —- natural systems.

   It also entails understanding that a healthy environment and meaningful, living-wage jobs are not mutually exclusive.

   Sustainable development weaves together the relationships between a healthy environment, society, and business climate -— ecology, equity, and economy. Only by addressing these three aspects can development be sustainable.

   The economic perspective is extremely important in a world at its peak in global oil extraction and production. Current economic prosperity depends upon increasing supplies of cheap and abundant fossil fuels. As this possibility disappears, sustainable economic development must lay a course through the uncharted territory of a post-carbon world.

   But a map for doing so is naturally available to your business.

Natural Systems Consulting

   Natural Systems Solutions consulting services provide the mapmaking tools your business and community needs to reach future prosperity and adapt to change. It will also help chart the path to true sustainability, healthy communities, and economic development.

   Our training programs and organizational development consulting will help you attain the trusting relationships that are the cornerstone of success.

   There is an intimate relationship between personal empowerment and organizational success. By integrating a concern for people, community, and environment into your business vision and activities, you create positive attraction relationships with your employees and customers that motivate them to support your business.

   The wisdom and efficiency of natural systems can be utilized in business endeavors such as: sustainable strategies and strategic planning; team building and leadership development; and providing human resource training and benefit packages for improved employee health, morale, and productivity. Your organization can directly benefit in measurable ways by becoming more alive.

Relocalized Economies are Self-reliant

   Relocalizing means laying the foundation for economic self–reliance, resiliency, prosperity, and becoming sustainable in a post-carbon world.

   Organizations are living systems, and living systems self-organize to create mutually supportive relationships. Your business can learn, embody, and benefit from these natural systems principles.

   It is possible to increase creativity, collaboration, and communication while you decrease costs, waste, and stress. By helping to bring forth people’s best, you benefit from their natural integrity and connections.

   If you’ve been experiencing failures in instituting change, perhaps you’ve been basing decisions on fear and insecurity instead of passion and desire. Let us help you move toward what you want, and create the supportive relationships all living systems need.

   Contact us today for an initial assessment and a customized strategy for your business, organization, or community. Contact nature@attractionretreat.org or give us a call at (520) 887-2502.