Nature Abounds

Nature Aboundsâ„¢ was founded in 2008 by Melinda Hughes-Wert and James Wert, along with some of their mentors and friends from around the country. Nature Abounds was formed to encourage volunteerism and environmental stewardship, along with community values and an overall knowledge of the natural world around us. Ultimately, Nature Abounds looks to be a unified, influential voice for change. By change, we mean how knowledge and attitudes contribute to the use of our natural resources as well as their conservation and preservation and the impact that it has on the planet and those co-existing on the planet. In order to create that voice for change, Nature Abounds engages citizens in opportunities that create and cultivate awareness of being environmental stewards as well as serve as a connector of individuals and groups that have a similar goal for protecting our planet and repairing the damage that has been done. Nature Abounds pilots and manages its programs from the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The Allegheny Mountains have long been known for natural resources. The timber and coal industries spurred the local economies, but this was only temporary and now economically depressed towns as well as scarred land and watersheds are abundant. Drilling for oil and natural gas are still prevalent throughout the area and are now scarring the land historically set aside for tourism interests, one of the remaining livelihoods of Pennsylvanians. Nature Abounds works with citizens to address these problems.