Here is an interesting quote directly from Ratnest Mathur's article:
"Somewhere, I was fed with this notion that nature gives and we only take, hence we should also give back to nature. I find this funny, as we cannot give anything to nature (and hence we cannot take anything from nature). In nature there is no give and take – only interactions, constant change of state. Being inside nature (i.e. being part of it), we cannot take or give anything. If we plant a tree, the gift is for ourselves and not for nature. If we pluck a flower, again we may like it in our garland, but it still is a gift to ourselves. In nature, being selfish to their own needs is essentially how all organisms operate."
Along those same lines, Mathur goes on to talk about the circle of life: how nature lives and dies, decomposes, then becomes the feed and seed for another. From this too, we can see it's power and learn from its impact.
http://bit.ly/1nuBnUc