Oscar-winning actress and environmental activist Joanne Woodward is a long-time supporter and former member of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Directors. (Photo Courtesy of Joanne Woodward)

My hope for the planet is my children and grandchildren.

I remember the first Earth Day, my kids were small and Paul and I took them out and picked up garbage. I wanted them to know what it was about. Of course, doing such a small thing is not going to solve the world’s complex environmental problems. But I do think it creates awareness among the next generations. It is upsetting that many people don’t seem to observe what’s happening to the environment, what’s happening in terms of global warming, the loss of habitats and wild things.

My daughter is raising her children to be very much aware. We went on a nature walk a few years ago and at one point, my 6-year-old grandson showed me a bush with flowers. Somebody called us: “Come on, come on.” And Peter said, “Oh I wish we could just stay and observe it.”

Isn’t that wonderful for a 6-year old to see and be that aware of what he’s walking through in nature?