A NEW CHAPTER IN A LONG STORY...

Dear Fieldstone Friends,

This is my first post on Field Notes, and it's a joy to be here. As Andy mentioned in last week's post, he and I, together with our exceptional team, have been deeply immersed in getting the first 7 newly-designed apps of the Fieldstone Earth series ready for launch, which happened, auspiciously, on Earth Day a couple of weeks ago. (Learn more here.) It has been an exciting process. With this milestone achieved, and many more to come in the months ahead, it's given me the opportunity to reflect.

About 2 years ago Andy asked me to consider taking the helm of our small-but-mighty publishing company. Though I come from a literary family, this is my first foray into the other side of the industry, and I have embraced the challenge. I do so, informed by both my background in corporate finance and a lifetime dedication to the protection of the Earth and her species, as expressed through my artistic life as a classical singer and founder of the One Earth. One Voice. campaign, a global movement in over 75 countries to raise environmental awareness through community singing.

I have long believed that any hope for the future of our planet rests on our shared commitment to raising up what I call the "voice of the Earth," particularly through the arts and human creativity as catalysts for united, galvanized action. Having spent years doing so through human voices, I have dedicated this new chapter of my life to raising the voices of the other magnificent species with whom we share this elegant and fragile blue-green orb. It is my hope that by doing so, we inspire future generations to its care. I can think of no more important work, or legacy, especially at this tenuous time in human history.

At Fieldstone, we believe that nature herself is the ultimate, highest "art" which we humans have striven to emulate since the beginning of time. It is this spirit which infuses every aspect of our work, including the redesign of our apps (and soon to come, our books). By streamlining and "quieting" the palette and interface of our digital platform, we have brought nature to center stage, allowing you to experience the full and rich beauty of each subject within a neutral, simple, and intuitive presentation, designed to inform and inspire.

Next on the horizon is the release of the first of our Fieldstone Home series: apps and books dedicated to living well and in harmony with nature. Our first app on gardening, Herbs, will be released next month. You'll be the first to know.

I can't tell you how grateful I am for the remarkably talented and dedicated team working with us to bring this work to life. In the weeks ahead, you will be hearing from them as well. Their voices are as much a part of the Fieldstone story as ours, and they have much wisdom and insight to share with you.

Thank you for being a part of the Fieldstone family and our unfolding story. Stay in touch, and may we work together - one act, one decision, one download at a time - to make Earth Day every day.

Yours from the field -
and for the Earth,
Shyla

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Shyla Stewart is President & CEO of Fieldstone Publishing. She is also an internationally-acclaimed classical singer and founder of the One Earth. One Voice. campaign, a global movement in over 75 countries raising environmental awareness through the power of song.