touch·stone "tuch-st0n"
Function: noun
•  A hard black stone, such as jasper or basalt, formerly used to test the quality of gold or silver by comparing the streak left on the stone by one of these metals with that of a standard alloy
•  An excellent quality or example that is used to test for excellence or genuineness

eco·sys·tem "ek-o-sis-tem"
Function: noun
•  The complex of a community and its environment functioning as an ecological unit in nature
•  An ecological community together with its environment, functioning as a unit
•  A system formed by the interaction of a community of organisms with their physical environment

Touchstone Ecosystems Inc. is an ecological consulting company based in Chattooga County Georgia in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Our somewhat unique view of environmental awareness revolves around a philosophy that the ecology of our planet, that inescapable relationship between life and the land upon which it depends, and the man-made economy of our civilization are inseparable and intertwined. Economy and ecology are perceived by many, if not most, to be diverse concepts in conflict with each other. However, if we look closely at the root “eco” and realize it is a derivative of the original Greek word “oiekos” meaning home, the two words and their relative definitions become quite similar. The concept of home economics, how we manage our budgets, and the study of living organisms in their home environments becomes evident. It is no accident that these two words lie adjacent to each other in the dictionary.

Therefore, we at Touchstone Ecosystems believe correct eco-logical thoughts and actions will invariably improve the economy and vice versa; similar to the two rails of a rail road track, built on the ties of all our individual values, maintaining a parallel relationship to each other so the train of civilization will not derail.

To this end, our business is not just to earn money, but rather, we earn money to build and maintain our business; of improving environmental quality and integrity when ever and where ever possible.

In summary, we believe in the yin/yang philosophy, that the economy of nature and the ecology of man are not only true and interchangeable concepts, but are really one and the same.