TREES OF LIFE:FORESTS IN PERIL
  • home
  • Blog
  • About The Book
    • Bookstore
    • Press
  • The Author
  • Videos
  • Contact

May 28th, 2017

5/28/2017

0 Comments

 

THE COMPLEXITY OF CREATION

How long has it been since you took the time to visit your closest woodlot to relax under a giant maple or oak tree to observe the detail of our natural world, as the evening  approaches? The sounds at first seem to be missing, but soon the pleasant songs of the birds and insects begin to break the silence. You experience an uplifting feeling and the stress of the day begins to fade. You are slowly blending into the surroundings and soon the mystery of life begins to appear. Small birds flutter from branch to branch, feeding on insects and seeds. Suddenly, out of the quite, a doe with her fawn steps into a small opening failing to notice you. They begin feeding on the tender green shoots of grass. Suddenly, you hear something dropping from the top of the oak tree near you. When you look up, you see a squirrel cutting acorns to let them fall to the ground to be gathered and stored for the next winter, remembering where each has been hidden. You reach down beside you and scrape away some of the leaves from last fall that are now dead and dry. Underneath is a rich layer of black organic humus which the worms and microbes are converting to nutrient rich soil. The soil is alive with organisms so small they are invisible. You begin to realize you are part of the Creator's greatest gift, the gift of life, the story of creation. You begin to realize that all creatures are born into this world with a purpose and we are all connected and dependent upon each other for life. The Bible tells us, "The World is the Lord's and the fullness thereof; The World and all that live therein!"
Your experience in the magic of creation draws you into the detail that surrounds us, but creation is still far more complex then our short visit to he woodlot. This visit does, however point out the importance of empirical observation in understanding the significance of life . The detail and complexity goes far beyond what our scientists are being taught in forestry school. I am concerned as to whether we can do the job of managing these complex forest communities if we don't see and understand the multitude of connections and interactions that are occurring daily within these communities? Maybe that is why we continue to educate our scientists to manage the resources from the forests, rather than the forests themselves.
I must admit there is a small number of scientists beginning to uncover some of the detailed mysteries of creation. The science of neuro-biology is a new science that is beginning to search for the details of the natural world.
We now know that 99% of all life on our planet are plants. Animals, ants to humans, make up only 1 %, AMAZING!
We also have discovered that plants, including trees, can communicate and care for each other. Trees even appear to be able to think and adjust to changing conditions. Believe it or not, there are cells in the tips of the roots that are somewhat similar to human brain cells. We also know that trees give off a bio-field as does the human heart. Could that up-lifting feeling be the trees communicating with us?
We can now observe the relationship trees share with the fungi in the soil. Miles and miles of fungi filaments are attached to the root systems of trees and help them absorb moisture from the soil as well as transmit electronic impulses to surrounding trees. The tree in return provides the sugars required by the fungi to grow and survive. The natural world is very complex and understanding the details of our connection to and dependence upon those natural surroundings requires total concentration. We are just beginning, but if we truly care about the future, we must delve deeper into the complexity of the world we live in!
There may still be time to make the required adjustments, but remember, " WHAT WE DO TO EARTH, WE DO TO OURSELVES "!
This weekend is moving time for us. My next post will be from our new home in Virginia. 
 

0 Comments

May 08th, 2017

5/8/2017

1 Comment

 
 Time is fast approaching for our move to Virginia and getting everything packed has left little time to post new information. We are participating in a program in Traverse City, Michigan the 7th of June which will provide a better understanding of our Anishinaabe peoples relationship with the natural world. I am finding several efforts that are attempting to help our citizens recognize the importance of developing a deeper understanding of our human dependency on the natural world. I only hope leadership begins to appreciate the necessity of living in balance with Mother Earth.
My concerns with the impact humans are having on our natural world has only intensified with the current administration. Eliminating regulations on environmental standards to try to bring back old jobs like coal mining is not providing the direction required for the future. We need strong government support for re-training opportunities to provide needed employment for individuals who are unable to find good jobs as a result of the changing market demands. Our concerns for the future also requires us to remain vigilant to any effort to dispose of federal public lands to the states and private corporations. These valuable lands will be required to sustain future life.
Our project to produce a documentary is now under-way. We have finalized the grant proposal and are reaching out to individuals and foundations for financial support. If you have contacts with persons or groups that might be interested, please let me know and I will send them a proposal. All contributions are tax deductible as Visions is a 501 (c) (3) organization with 20 years of experience. Persons and groups interested in environmental education, deforestation, sustainability, forestry, the natural world and management of our natural resources are potential supporters. We are excited about this project and believe it will provide a more detailed appreciation for the relationships we share and depend upon for the sustenance of life. 
We need you to join us in this effort of educating our youth in the importance of living in balance with the capabilities of earth. Our people have learned that they do not have to accept activities that are not in their interest anymore. If we join our friends, neighbors and groups that represent our values and needs, our voices will be heard. Just today, I got a note from a CEO of a forestry consulting firm in Germany, offering to help get the proposed project information out to potential supporters. 
We appreciate your interest in what we are doing and welcome your involvement and assistance in reaching our goals.     


1 Comment

    Archives

    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    December 2013

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.