For the love of the land

Ian McLean's passion for preserving the Earth leads to recognition as a Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalist.

By Dana Engelbert

Ian McLean is a caretaker. He cares for his family, his friends, his co-workers, and his world. For nearly a decade, McLean has donated his time caring for the land, and his passion for the Earth and for preserving it for generations to come is obvious.

Rockwell Collins Australia employee Ian McLean was honored as a Good Citizenship Award finalist for his efforts in restoring a habitat for about 10 endangered species including an Australian bird known as the Regent Honeyeater.
Photo by Steve Pam, Steve Pam Photography

"I cannot stress enough that we do not 'own' this planet; it doesn't belong to us," said McLean, who was recognized recently as a finalist for the 2007 Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award. "We are the caretakers and as such we need to care for it.

"We have to hand this planet to the next generation," he continued, "and I don't think they are going to be very happy when they have to repair the damage we have done."

Taking responsibility

An avionic technician at the Rockwell Collins Service Centre in Melbourne, Australia, McLean is taking responsibility for repairing that damage by giving his time away from work to several regional landcare organizations. He also donates a large amount of time to a project that is restoring habitat for about 10 endangered species including an Australian bird known as the Regent Honeyeater.

According to McLean, habitat restoration and preservation is not an easy job, which is why he has engaged other volunteers in the project including his wife, Sylvia, and their 11-year-old son, Philip. Overall, McLean says the groups' hard work on the Regent Honeyeater Project is working.

In slightly more than a decade, about 900 hectares (more than 2,250 acres) of habitat have been protected or restored, more than 150 kilometers of fencing have been constructed, 440 nest boxes have been built, and more than 300,000 seedlings have been planted at more than 330 sites.

"Ian proactively seeks opportunities to assist our conservation efforts during his leisure time and also through workplace connections," said Ray Thomas, Regent Honeyeater project coordinator. "He always manages to find others to help."

In fact, McLean recently helped the Regent Honeyeater Project earn two Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grants. The grants are awarded to help fund numerous projects that have benefited the environment in locations where our company operates.

"The ($2,500) grant has been a great boost to our roadside habitat work," said Thomas, noting that McLean's passion toward the project makes the hard work worthwhile. "He cares about our natural environment and puts his efforts where they will make a difference."

Sharing his knowledge

The love of the land is a theme than runs strong through the McLean family. In fact, Ian met his wife, Sylvia, while bushwalking, and after their son, Philip, was born, they also took him hiking around the countryside, too.

"I got involved with bushwalking because of my love for nature," said McLean. "I see a need to heal the wounds from the damage done to the environment. My son understands more about the environment than other kids his age, so I think we're doing a pretty good job of passing our knowledge on to him."

Long-standing supporters of the Honeyeater Project, McLean and his wife have arranged many tree planting weekend trips for their local Bushwalking Club. McLean also has helped his co-workers at Rockwell Collins become more cognizant of their role in protecting the Earth.

He recently worked with Thomas to host a presentation about the Regent Honeyeater Project at the Melbourne Service Centre to help his colleagues understand how they can help protect the environment. In addition, he regularly posts updates on the service center's notice board and he distributes email newsletters encouraging his colleagues to participate.

Although the number of volunteers has increased, that isn't the measure of success for McLean. Instead, the fact that the project is achieving nearly 100 percent survival rates for its trees is what makes him most proud, considering the harsh environment and obstacles that had to be overcome.

"We have a very high plant survival rate for the Regent Honeyeater Project," said McLean. "When you look back over acres of tree guards, which are modified recycled juice cartons protecting the plants, and you realize that 95 percent of the plants will survive … that's when you realize the group did everything right."

But perhaps the best measure of McLean's success might be his ability to instill in his son the same passion for the Earth that he has had for so many years.

"We have to and need to make a difference for our children's sake and for generations to come," said McLean. "I, for one, want to help them any way I can."

— Dana Engelbert is a freelance writer.

Volume 12 Issue 3 > One big, happy family > For the love of the land
Volume 12 Issue 3 Deeply rooted in our heritage Delivering on our brand promise Feeding our economic engine One big, happy family A heart as big as the sky For the love of the land A 'courageous' volunteer Committed to customer support From Clay Jones Executive Profile - Kelly Ortberg Our heritage Letters to the editor Contributors in this issue Across our company Service anniversaries Retirees In memoriam Facility spotlight		For the love of the land Ian McLean's passion for preserving the Earth leads to recognition as a Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalist. By Dana Engelbert Ian McLean is a caretaker. He cares for his family, his friends, his co-workers, and his world. For nearly a decade, McLean has donated his time caring for the land, and his passion for the Earth and for preserving it for generations to come is obvious. Rockwell Collins Australia employee Ian McLean was honored as a Good Citizenship Award finalist for his efforts in restoring a habitat for about 10 endangered species including an Australian bird known as the Regent Honeyeater. Photo by Steve Pam, Steve Pam Photography "I cannot stress enough that we do not 'own' this planet; it doesn't belong to us," said McLean, who was recognized recently as a finalist for the 2007 Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award. "We are the caretakers and as such we need to care for it. "We have to hand this planet to the next generation," he continued, "and I don't think they are going to be very happy when they have to repair the damage we have done." Taking responsibility An avionic technician at the Rockwell Collins Service Centre in Melbourne, Australia, McLean is taking responsibility for repairing that damage by giving his time away from work to several regional landcare organizations. He also donates a large amount of time to a project that is restoring habitat for about 10 endangered species including an Australian bird known as the Regent Honeyeater. According to McLean, habitat restoration and preservation is not an easy job, which is why he has engaged other volunteers in the project including his wife, Sylvia, and their 11-year-old son, Philip. Overall, McLean says the groups' hard work on the Regent Honeyeater Project is working. In slightly more than a decade, about 900 hectares (more than 2,250 acres) of habitat have been protected or restored, more than 150 kilometers of fencing have been constructed, 440 nest boxes have been built, and more than 300,000 seedlings have been planted at more than 330 sites. "Ian proactively seeks opportunities to assist our conservation efforts during his leisure time and also through workplace connections," said Ray Thomas, Regent Honeyeater project coordinator. "He always manages to find others to help." In fact, McLean recently helped the Regent Honeyeater Project earn two Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grants. The grants are awarded to help fund numerous projects that have benefited the environment in locations where our company operates. "The ($2,500) grant has been a great boost to our roadside habitat work," said Thomas, noting that McLean's passion toward the project makes the hard work worthwhile. "He cares about our natural environment and puts his efforts where they will make a difference." Sharing his knowledge The love of the land is a theme than runs strong through the McLean family. In fact, Ian met his wife, Sylvia, while bushwalking, and after their son, Philip, was born, they also took him hiking around the countryside, too. "I got involved with bushwalking because of my love for nature," said McLean. "I see a need to heal the wounds from the damage done to the environment. My son understands more about the environment than other kids his age, so I think we're doing a pretty good job of passing our knowledge on to him." Long-standing supporters of the Honeyeater Project, McLean and his wife have arranged many tree planting weekend trips for their local Bushwalking Club. McLean also has helped his co-workers at Rockwell Collins become more cognizant of their role in protecting the Earth. He recently worked with Thomas to host a presentation about the Regent Honeyeater Project at the Melbourne Service Centre to help his colleagues understand how they can help protect the environment. In addition, he regularly posts updates on the service center's notice board and he distributes email newsletters encouraging his colleagues to participate. Although the number of volunteers has increased, that isn't the measure of success for McLean. Instead, the fact that the project is achieving nearly 100 percent survival rates for its trees is what makes him most proud, considering the harsh environment and obstacles that had to be overcome. "We have a very high plant survival rate for the Regent Honeyeater Project," said McLean. "When you look back over acres of tree guards, which are modified recycled juice cartons protecting the plants, and you realize that 95 percent of the plants will survive … that's when you realize the group did everything right." But perhaps the best measure of McLean's success might be his ability to instill in his son the same passion for the Earth that he has had for so many years. "We have to and need to make a difference for our children's sake and for generations to come," said McLean. "I, for one, want to help them any way I can." — Dana Engelbert is a freelance writer.