The Cascades
From Tara:
As a child growing up in the Dominican Republic I remember seeing many species of beautiful colorful birds – they seemed to be everywhere! I returned to live in the Dominican Republic in the late 70’s and to my dismay the birds were no longer around.
In the 8 years I spent away from home the bird population was being destroyed by people gathering these beautiful birds to sell them to the companies that market birds to be kept in captivity as pets.
I was very saddened that while I was a child I did not take time to learn these beautiful birds’ names/species – somehow I thought they would always be around… In the early 80’s I joined the Gaston Audubon Society because I wanted to learn all the birds’ names that I could see and hear and created habitats for them by growing plants that would nourish and attract them. I took on the position of Conservation Chairperson and participated in the NC Department of Natural Resources’ Peregrine Falcon Re-introduction Program.
From Kathy:
My discovery of the beautiful planet we live on began at a very early age. It was my dream to live in a forested house with moss as my ground cover or a tree house; I still dream of a tree house.
I remember even at a young age realizing how delicate life was on this beautiful earth. I owe my love of the earth to my Grandmother. She loves having her hands in dirt, growing anything with an amazingly green thumb and her love for stones.
She taught me not to hurt any living thing. Her down to earth ways gave me a sense of purpose about how to treat our land and other beings. She is the gentlest soul I have ever had the pleasure to be around. I feel as though I am in an angel’s presence when I am with her. I am very thankful to have her in my life. She is the bedrock for my love of this planet and all people.
As I grew older my sense of purpose changed. Instead of just enjoying what Mother Earth had to offer in a childlike way, I began to take notice of the ways she was being polluted.
I began recycling in my home as my first step in making earth positive changes. I was respectful when I went hiking or camping, not to leave behind pieces of the city or pieces of me. Any little contribution I could do was minuscule compared to the things Iwas seeing happen to the planet.
I gave to different clubs and societies my money, but not my time, I was “too busy”. A rude awakening was waiting for me when I moved to the Pacific Northwest. Once I saw my first old growth tree my whole world changed. Seeing that tree, a Douglas Fir, I suddenly realized that the earth was changing at such an increased pace that there might come a time when kids would not have the chance to have my childlike experiences.
Forests were being deleted to make room for malls and parking lots. Timber was being sold to overseas companies. The increasing rate of deforestation was depleting indigenous people and wildlife in areas all over the world. Headwaters were being polluted in the name of progress and money. These are still huge issues for our environment. What will we say to the generations to come…”man, you should have seen that tree”.
Problem is I have to say that to people now that have never and possibly will never see an old growth unless they travel to see one. I tell them how incredible it was to see the base of a tree bigger than my vehicle, the canopy so wide that it covers the ground around it in feet unimaginable and the height …. WOW. I still cry when I think of seeing that tree on my first wilderness visit in one of Washington states protected areas. I was in awe then and I still am today.
I encourage all people to take notice of your environment. This includes what products you use, how you use them and what you put in your body. Become informed; get involved in your community, plant a tree, anything to expand your vision of a better world. Read, read, read and then set a course of action that suits you and your values.
