SHERPA Institute

Rarely do we post on Facebook. This is a cross-pollination from LinkedIn.

“Hello in there, hello”*
Andrea Hoffmeier here, Founder of SHERPA Institute, with the first of my 2025 Year-End Messages.

I’ve made no secret about my rollercoaster wellbeing, and and the need to transition my role to one of Sherpa Emeritus; oh, let’s have fun with grammar, shall we? The Institute (organization) has SHERPA in all caps, while a person (or other creature - we’ve had cats, dogs and a chicken join Zooms) involved with SHERPA is a Sherpa (proper noun S in caps).

But I just might have a comeback one days, right Anne Chiaramello?
Who knows - Emeritus might be a sabbatical.

2025 marked SHERPA Institute’s 10th Year of operations (our efforts prior to forming represented DECADES of efforts evolution and global collaboration).

Rather than any hoopla, we spent the year strategizing a seismic pivot. I’ll explain more throughout the rest of this year - throughout the closing of our first decade.

I also thank everyone for all the birthday wishes!
It was a relaxing day and weekend.
We took a ride through the woods, away from cell towers on my birthday; and Sunday I laid around being 100% lazy:)
The blessing of a weekend birthday!

As we emerged from the woods and drove through the small city in, Jasper, Alabama, USA, I was struck by the signs (one pictured below), an initiative of Jasper Main Street.

https://www.jaspermainstreet.com/

As I let loose my white-knuckle grip on SHERPA’s reins it is refreshing to see an honest message like this in Jasper:
“Just as the Phoenix rising from the ashes, we too will rise.
We’ll emerge stronger than ever, ready to THRIVE and FLOURISH.”
A beautiful dove of peace flies with an olive branch - something we need so much today.

This sign came right on time for me, as Founder of SHERPA - bittersweet days.
In future 2025 Year-End posts, I’ll explain the wildfires we’ve survived, and how we intend to THRIVE.

That said, I’ll close with a bit of John Prine*

“You know that old trees just grow stronger
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Old people just grow lonesome
Waiting for someone to say
"Hello in there, hello" “

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MnmVy3vMWmnbVhmh/?mibextid=WC7FNe
SHERPA Institute is so happy to share the joy spread on Saturday by our pariciation in at CommUnity Day! We are a global organization, from Decatur to Delhi, and rescuing pollinators is critical to our worldwide ecosystem. global food security depends on every community taking action!
It is about more than pretty wildflower meadows.
Get in touch with your local agency responsible for pesticide (usually mosquitoes) and get on the no/spray list.
Plant the right plants for your area and those that your pollinators need.
Consider other needs, like waters source (shallow saucers can work) and other habitat support.
What pollinator populations are collapsing in YOUR area? There are resources to help! Follow our SHERPA Pollinator Rescue Page to learn more!