Transitions During Spring and all of Nature
There is no denying that nature is undergoing transition or even radical transformation.
Perhaps, inspired by the sight of the redbud tree as it naturally transitions from buds to leaves, may consider ways we can help nature regain or sustain its natural health and beauty its natural transitions.
“The morning got more and more brilliant, and I could feel the brilliancy of it getting into my own blood. Living so close to the cold, you feel the spring. And this is man’s (sic) mission! The earth cannot feel all this. We must. But living away from the earth and the trees we fail them.”
-When the Trees Say Nothing: Thomas Merton, Writings on Nature
ed. Kathleen Deegnan; drawings, John Giuliani.
Living close to the earth can certainly give us a “feel” for it and can also motivate us to act on its behalf. Below is information from two organizations that assist us in feeling for and acting on behalf of earth.
In June 2024, Environmental Action reported, “Plastic pellets in the environment, especially in waterways, threaten wildlife and public health. Animals may mistake nurdles for fish eggs or tadpoles, and if they ingest enough plastic they can starve….”
“On May 3, about 1,000 volunteers from Environmental Action and dozens of other groups sifted through sand, rummaged through wracklines (beach areas where debris collects) and scoured shoreline vegetation in search of plastic pellets. What they found was shocking: Pellets were discovered in two-thirds of the places we looked. Overall, volunteers found more than 52,000 plastic pellets during the count.” For how you might help remedy this situation go to https://environmental-action.org/articles/how-to-find-nurdles-in-your-local-waterway/.
In 1973 “National Wildlife Federation launched what has become known as the Garden for Wildlife® movement, inspiring people to create landscapes and other garden spaces designed to provide the habitat essentials for birds, butterflies, bees, and other local wildlife.” The National Wildlife Federation website has wonderful information about habitat essentials; gardening for wildlife; small space gardening, etc. https://www.nwf.org/Home/Native-Plant-Habitats/Plant-Native.
Veronica Blake, SMR