Vermont is a leader in environmental policy and natural resource

Hear now the words of Phil Scott, who declared with pride and vision: “Vermont is a leader in environmental policy and natural resource management.” This proclamation is not merely a boast of a state’s achievements, but a reminder of what it means to live in harmony with the earth. It is a song of stewardship, calling us to remember that the soil beneath our feet and the waters that flow through our valleys are not possessions to be squandered but sacred trusts to be guarded.

When Scott speaks of leadership in environmental policy, he points to a truth greater than political victory. Leadership in this realm is not the conquest of armies nor the amassing of wealth, but the courage to place the health of the land above the hunger of greed. Vermont, with its mountains cloaked in forests and its fields fertile with life, has chosen to lead by example, crafting laws and practices that safeguard the inheritance of generations yet unborn. Such leadership shines like a lantern in the night, guiding other states and nations toward wisdom.

The mention of natural resource management is no less profound. To manage is not merely to use, but to balance, to respect, to sustain. It is the ancient lesson farmers once knew—that the field must rest after its harvest, that the river must flow unpoisoned, that the forest must be cut with care lest it vanish. Vermont has sought to walk this ancient path, building policies that honor the balance of creation rather than shatter it for short-term gain.

Consider the story of Act 250, a landmark law born in Vermont in 1970. At a time when unchecked development threatened the hills and valleys, this law was crafted to ensure that growth would not consume the beauty and health of the land. It required that before any great construction, the effects on water, wildlife, and community be weighed. This law became a model for other regions, showing that prosperity and preservation need not be enemies but may walk together as allies.

In this, Vermont reflects the truth that small places can wield great influence. Just as a single drop ripples across a pond, so too does a small state, by choosing wisely, inspire a larger world. The greatness of leadership lies not in size, but in vision and courage. Vermont’s policies remind us that even the smallest community can stand tall when it holds fast to principles of care for the earth.

The lesson of Scott’s words is clear: to lead is to protect, to govern is to safeguard. The wealth of a people is not only in their coins or buildings, but in their forests, rivers, and skies. Those who dare to place stewardship above exploitation carve a path that others may follow, proving that justice to the land is justice to the people themselves.

Children of tomorrow, take these teachings into your hearts: live as guardians of the soil, the air, and the water. In your homes, waste not what is precious; in your choices, support what sustains rather than what destroys. Plant trees where there is barren ground, conserve energy as though it were treasure, and honor the creatures who share this earth with you.

And so let the torch be passed: that in every state, every nation, and every household, the spirit of Vermont’s leadership may kindle a new way of living. A way where prosperity flows not from exploitation but from harmony, where the earth is not a servant to be used up, but a companion to be cherished. This is the wisdom hidden in Scott’s words, the eternal truth that binds humanity to the land that sustains it.