This symposium focuses on how Earth Stewardship, an initiative of the Ecological Society of America, can engage multiple practical professions in strengthening the scientific basis for shaping more sustainable social-ecological change. In what way does each of the practical areas complement the contributions of ecological science? How is ecological science strengthened by a relationship with each professional or civil practice? The topics to be included reflect important practical areas, each of which aims to enhance both ecosystem resilience and human well-being. The symposium will begin with an overview of the Earth Stewardship Initiative, tracing its roots in ecological research and its connections with other academic disciplines. The introduction will set the stage for considering the connections of Earth Stewardship with professional practices. The five central talks of the symposium will examine a key suite of professional disciplines, from planning and design, local and traditional knowledge, engineering, environmental justice, and scenario development. The current attempts to improve connections between ecology and practice will be put in a historical perspective in the final talk of the symposium. Together, these seven talks will expose insights to better link scientific ecological research with professions that are actively involved in shaping the future. This symposium will also exemplify the ongoing contributions of various professional practices to Earth Stewardship, and thus will suggest activities that ecologists may undertake or interactions they can engage in to leverage their own work.