“We need the tonic of wilderness… At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be infinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature.” — Henry David Thoreau

One of my favorite things about traveling is the opportunity to see the world in a new light at every turn. To explore all corners of Earth and discover the richness of our precious planet. Often, though, it isn’t until a spectacular sunrise or an encounter upon wasteful destruction that I am reminded how fortunate we are to inhabit such a special island in space.

Today is no exception. As we celebrate our global home and take up causes that promote a sustainable future for our environment, I can’t help but feel blessed to have walked where I’ve walked and to have experienced nature’s abundance. My hope is that these sentiments don’t  just end with today’s setting sun. I hope after the holiday we can all continue to pay respect and care for our environment each and every day, not just during the particular moments that call our attention.

Reflecting back, I’ve never felt as small in this world as while traveling down the Amazon, swallowed by the depth of the jungle and the river. So, in honor of Earth Day 2014 I’m revisiting some of my favorite photos from the pristine Peruvian Amazon.

The Amazon continues to be one of Earth’s most endangered environments, losing rain forests to loggers and a vast disappearance of animals that are lost with them. Connecting with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, Amazon Watch and the Amazon Conservation Association are great ways to get involved and make a difference.

May we be called to take action and protect our planet today and everyday! Now the question is, what are you doing for Earth Day?!

For more photos from the Amazon, check out these posts in which I fish for piranha and scour the river for caiman.

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.” — Mark Twain