Stewardship Starts With Connection

By Vicki Patterson

Rediscovering Dana Point Through Community, Culture and Care for the Places We Love

“In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.”— Baba Dioum

That quote has stayed with me for years, but while planning this year’s Dana Point Citywide Scavenger Hunt, it began to take on an even deeper meaning.

I grew up in Dana Point when it was still a small coastal town with only a few thousand people. Back then, everyone seemed connected somehow.

You knew the families at the beach, recognized people at the harbor and saw the same faces at school, community events and around town.

The ocean wasn’t just scenery, it was part of our identity. The trails, bluffs, coves, and beaches held memories, stories and meaning.

As Dana Point has grown, people from all over the world have made this beautiful city their home. That growth brings diversity, fresh perspectives and new energy to our community. But it also made me realize something important: many people may not yet have the same personal connection to this place that longtime residents grew up with.

That realization became one of the inspirations behind the Scavenger Hunt.

More than just a fun activity, the hunt was designed to help people discover the heart of Dana Point. Each stop was intentionally chosen because it represents something meaningful, local history, environmental beauty, hidden stories, cultural significance or the spirit of the community itself.

My hope is that participants don’t just visit these places, but begin forming a relationship with them.

Because when people feel connected to a place, they begin to care about it differently.

They protect it.

They speak up for it.

They become stewards of it.

Through our partnership with the Acjachemen Tribe, the original stewards of this land, I’ve also found myself reflecting more deeply on what stewardship truly means.

For many Indigenous cultures, stewardship isn’t just about protecting natural resources.

It’s about relationships, responsibility, gratitude and reciprocity. It’s understanding that we are not separate from nature, we are part of it.

The land, ocean, wildlife and waterways are not simply places to use or visit, but living systems we are connected to and responsible for caring for.

That perspective has challenged me to think differently.

What does it mean to be an ocean steward?

What does it mean to be a land steward?

Is stewardship simply picking up trash at a cleanup? Recycling more? Using less plastic?

Yes,  those actions matter tremendously. But I believe stewardship goes deeper than that.

Stewardship is teaching children to respect the tide pools instead of disturbing them.

It’s learning the history of the land beneath our feet.

It’s recognizing the people who came before us and honoring their connection to this coastline.

It’s understanding that what goes down our storm drains eventually reaches the ocean. It’s slowing down long enough to appreciate a sunset, hear the waves or notice wildlife thriving in a healthy ecosystem.

Stewardship begins with awareness, but it grows through connection.

And maybe that’s what this community scavenger hunt is really about.

Not just finding locations on a map, but helping people discover a sense of belonging to this place. Helping families create memories outdoors together. Helping newcomers uncover stories that make Dana Point special.

Helping all of us whether we’ve lived here for generations or just arrived understand that we each have a role in shaping the future of our coastline and community.

Because stewardship isn’t reserved for scientists, activists or organizations.

It belongs to all of us.

Every person who chooses to care for the ocean.

Every person who respects the land.

Every person who teaches the next generation to protect what they love.

That’s how stronger communities are built.That’s how healthier coastlines are protected.

And maybe most importantly, that’s how we ensure future generations inherit not only a cleaner environment, but a deeper connection to the places they call home.

The ocean starts at your front door. But stewardship starts in the heart. 💙