How an Apple Tree Transformed My Life

Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. -- Herman Hesse

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By Chip Richards

"I was in between creative projects and feeling the need to do something more dynamic with my energy than sitting at the computer sending and receiving emails, so I followed an impulse to a local biodynamic farm and got a job picking apples during the last six weeks of harvest. The notion was quite romantic initially...I'd spend my days wandering the orchard rows connecting with my Muse, and my evenings writing to my heart's content.  The first few days were pretty exciting --driving tractors, climbing trees, embracing the daily challenge of filling three big apple crates with 2,000 apples each before sunset. But by day four...I'm pretty sure I hated it." Over the following days and weeks Chip Richards would experience a series of quiet transformations...

To read the full article: CLICK HERE

 

Extinct tree from the time of Jesus rises from the dead in Israel

I found this short video to be very inspiring. Two women scientists succeeded against all odds in propagating 2,000 year old Judean Palm tree seeds and resurrecting a species that has been extinct since the Middle Ages.

Judean Palm tree

LINK: Extinct tree from the time of Jesus rises from the dead in Israel

This article from Ancient Origins explores this story at a deeper level. Enjoy!

 

 

Knepp Re-wilded

Image credit: Rewilding Europe

As I watched this video I fell in love with this couple who have turned their extensive farm acreage in England into a nature preserve, free-grazing livestock ranch, and retreat center for nature enthusiasts. It's exciting to me that people are embracing the importance of sharing this beautiful Earth with all the other plants and animals that call it home. There may be hope for us yet!

“Rewilding is about trusting the forces of nature to restore land and sea.” Raquel Filgueiras - Head of Rewilding Europe

Knepp Estate in Sussex, England has led the way in "rewilding" farms since the 1970s. Rewilding is also called "conservation farming" with the idea of allowing nature to take over. The caretakers have gradually allowed plants and animals to roam and grow without human intervention until it is time to take the livestock to market. This philosophy of farming is like taking one's hands off the steering wheel and believing that Nature herself knows how to heal the land as she finds wholeness again. Biodiversity has thrived on Knepp Estate as species roam free and live in balance with each other. Farm animals live in harmony with wild animals and ultimately, farmers have discovered that they can still make a living by working with nature.

Being a vegetarian, I'm not thrilled that they're still raising animals for consumption but, as Isabella says in one of the videos below, the animals have had about the best possible lives before being killed for meat. The fact that the project is economically viable means that it has a much better chance of continuing its long-term success. It definitely seems like a huge step in the right direction.

To watch the 15 min. video: LINK 

And another wonderful 18 min. video about the Knepp Estate: Isabella Tree's great adventure!

Returning 600,000 Acres to Nature, One Piece at a Time

Rewilding our Alpine areas. Image credit

From an article By: Peter Yeung September 7, 2021 :
As homeowners, churches and even railway operators “rewild” their land, biodiversity is flocking back to England’s East Anglia region. 

“This is about everyone,” says Hugh Somerleyton, still breathing heavily after tending to a band of horses on his farm in East Anglia, England’s far easterly region. “Rewilding should be a populist movement. It’s important that ordinary citizens feel like they are making real, tangible change.”

“Britain is becoming incredibly nature-depleted,” says Richard Bunting, a spokesperson for the nonprofit organization Rewilding Britain. “We’re being outpaced by a biodiversity crisis. Large scale nature recovery and rewilding projects are hugely important to try and turn this around.”

Ball says the impact is already visible: a recent flowering plant survey has revealed several more species than there were last year, with the gardens now teaming with flowers, long grasses and butterflies. 

For the full article: Returning 600,000 Acres to Nature, One Piece at a Time

And another hopeful article:  Forget Gold and Fine Art: Startup Finds Investors to Put Their Money into Rewilding the Land