Stories of Environmental Stewardship
There are many stories appearing about environmental stewardship. One of the classics, written as an extraordinary fable by Jean Giono (1895-1970), has inspired many people to take local action. A new twentieth anniversary edition of Giono’s The Man Who Planted Trees includes equally remarkable stories in a foreward by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai (founder of the Green Belt Movement) and a afterword by Andy Lipkis (founder and president of TreePeople in Los Angeles, CA).
Recommended reading is this special anniversary book published by Chelsea Green Publishing Company in Vermont: www.chelseagreen.com
The timeless classic is richly illustrated by masterful woodcarvings by Michael McCurdy. Though the power of the word and image, one who reads this story is left with an unforgettable imprint of what a man’s generosity to nature can do.
It shows how one man, through tireless service to nature and to other humans, gave back to both a legacy of vision and beauty. Planting 100 acorns every day for thirty years, a simple shepherd transforms a countryside, revitalizes the community around him and teaches us by his actions, how each has the ability to create change in the world.
Hope and humanity is possible for the whole planet. If we hold to a vision of caring for what is around us, in both nature and people, good things can happen. The shepherd in this fable didn’t care about tax dollars, TIF monies or any such matter: he simply acted with love, simplicity and devotion, one day at a time.
The other stories on taking care of the environment by planting trees to restore health of watersheds, abundance, community, water habitat, and life itself are not fables, but facts. More on them tomorrow.
Go out and buy the book, it may encourage you to want to create a remarkable environmental story for South Haven, Michigan.
The South Haven story would show how the natural environment of the wetland of Celery Pond and its floodplain are restored by an upsurge of community involvement. A new Community Park on Black River would be inspired and created by the whole community. Trees would be planted, a nature center would be built by local artisans, a sculpture park installed along the river and, possibly a new cultural art center, and other community gathering places would be attracted to the area. We have the vision, let’s start acting out the story and making it happen.
