Dallas, Texas. April 20, 2026…Early this morning I grabbed an empty table in the Trinity Expo Hall and set up the Experiencia Ambientalia exhibit. On the advice of my near neighbor, a Rotarian working to eliminate nuclear weapons (big and important job), I asked maintenance to help me hang the banner. It all came out pretty well, considering I’m a rookie–I’ve certainly learned what I would bring next time! This time I’m using my scarf from Venice as a tablecloth, for example 🙂 I’d bring our Rotary cloth next time. And zip ties. One should always bring zip ties! Manu from EA in Argentina did a great job of designing all the handouts and the banner, and the handouts from the Mono Lake Committee are helpful as well (thanks Ryan).

My next table friend Frances taught me how to present our project at the United Nations (I’m taking notes!) In addition, I’ve met many folk who are movers and shakers in Rotary, planting seeds about EA, and finagling my way into getting some screen/speaking time when they have some pauses in programming. It looks hopeful. I’ve spent some time today chatting with Barry Rassin, past Rotary International President, Shab Elawar, an incredible resource for global grants, Wade Nomura from the Rotary International Foundation, and some other folk doing amazing things for the planet.

This evening I’m putting some finishing touches on the Keynote slideshow for my talk if that comes to fruition.

One new intriguing project from the Rotary Earth Network Club is called Project Sky Bridge. This is a project that will connect migrating species corridors all over the globe, from apartment balconies with native plants to large ecosystems that have been preserved for migrating species. I’ve registered our personal one acre property and pollinator garden in Chalfant as a hub. My larger goal is to contact managers of the saline lakes of EA and get them registered as well. Let me know if you can help!

The EarthX conference literally a congress of conferences–there are numerous sets of workshops that run the spectrum of work with the planet. This afternoon I attended a workshop featuring Sylvia Earle an American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, writer, and lecturer. She has been a National Geographic Explorer at Large (formerly Explorer in Residence) since 1998.^[3][4] Earle was the first chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,^[4] and was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.^[3] (Wikipedia). Amazing work, a life dedicated to the wonders of this planet.

This morning I sat at breakfast with a high school student dedicated to environmental work, looking for resources to plant a pollinator garden near her temple in Frisco, Texas. I’ve met so many big hearted people just by overcoming my introverted tendencies and sitting at an occupied table. It’s the gift of being here on my own. More tomorrow!