Under the Arbor

They give us shade on a hot summer day. They provide food and shelter for a vast community of animals. They filter the air and moderate the effects of environmental toxins. These silent leafy guardians are near us every day, and yet we quite often ignore them; we don't celebrate their beauty or learn from their steadfast presence. So today, on Arbor Day, we pay tribute to trees.

 Wonder Tree - Original Mixed Media

by Sixsisters

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and tree care. The first Arbor Day took place in Nebraska in 1872; it was the idea of J. Sterling Morton, a journalist and pioneer who came from Detroit to the then treeless plains of Nebraska in 1854. Morton and his wife, both nature lovers, quickly planted trees, shrubs and flowers at their new home. Like other homesteaders, he missed the trees of his former landscape, but he also recognized that trees were important as windbreaks to prevent soil loss, as well as for fuel, shade, and building materials. Morton used his position as a journalist, and later, as secretary of the Nebraska Territory, to advocate for trees and tree planting.

"On January 4, 1872, Morton first proposed a tree-planting holiday to be called 'Arbor Day' at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture. The date was set for April 10, 1872. Prizes were offered to counties and individuals for planting the largest number of trees on that day. It was estimated that more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. Arbor Day was officially proclaimed by the young state's Gov. Robert W. Furnas on March 12, 1874, and the day itself was observed April 10, 1874. In 1885, Arbor Day was named a legal holiday in Nebraska and April 22, Morton's birthday, was selected as the date for its permanent observance." (http://www.dfr.state.nc.us/urban/history_of_arbor_day.htm) The most common day for observing Arbor Day today is the last Friday in April.

In 1972, on the 100 year anniversary of the first Arbor Day, the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation was established to promote education about and conservation of trees. For more information about Arbor Day and to learn more about trees - their identification, protection, planting and care, visit the Foundation's website, http://www.arborday.org.

In celebration of the wonderful tree, let's read Ilan Shamir's insightful poem, Advice from a Tree, while we see how BBEST team artisans illustrate the beauty of our leafy friends.

Advice from a Tree

by Ilan Shamir

Dear Friend,

Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth

 

Fall Forest Original Watercolor Painting

from pfd Original Artworks

Reflect the light of a greater source
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings

 

Fused Glass Tree of Life Pendant

from Designs by Christine

Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring

 

Birches - Original Watercolor Painting

by Yankeegirl 

The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go of leaves in the Fall

The Rest and Quiet Renewal of Winter

  

Autumn Enchantment Original Watercolor Painting

by The Creators Palette

Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night.

 

Full Moon Across the River Painting

by Heron Kate

Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light

Be content with your natural beauty

 Matte Silver Tree of Life Necklace

by PixieMarket 

Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots

Enjoy the view!

Handmade Ceramic Heart Box with Tree

by Jill's Treasure Chest

For more about Ilan Shamir and his nature advice, tree-planting greetings, and nature-inspired journals and cards, please visit http://www.yourtruenature.com

Carrying forward the message of Earth Day

On April 22, 1970, in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, members of my 8th grade science class trekked to the local creek, where we began cleaning the banks of gum wrappers, soda cans, beer bottles and paper. It was a “feel good” type of activity, but it was also time off from classes, so everyone was in a celebratory mood. We didn’t realize it then, but that day marked the first Earth Day of many more to come.

Earth Day actually had its roots much earlier in 1962, when Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin became determined that the needs of the environment be addressed by politicians. He approached President John F. Kennedy and his brother, Attorney General Robert Kennedy, about making a national conservation tour. Both liked this idea, so in September 1963, the President made a five-day, 11-state tour, promoting conservation. While this tour did not make the political impact that Nelson would have liked, it did set the tone for future plans. These included legislation that Senator Nelson authored for the creation of a national hiking trails program and the Appalachian Trail System. Nelson was also instrumental in co-sponsoring the Wilderness Act, which eventually led to the Environmental Protection Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Clean Water Act.

Six years later, Senator Nelson made his own conservation tour, speaking on college campuses during the anti-Vietnam movement. It occurred to him that the grassroots energy that students invested in their feelings about Vietnam could be used to protest what was happening to our environment, and thus thrust conservation in the eye of politicians. At a conference in Seattle, Nelson announced that in the spring of 1970, there would be a nationwide protest on behalf of the environment, and that everyone was welcome to participate.

The response was immediate and energetic. Thousands of schools and communities participated, each in their own way. The New York Times reported, “Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam…a national day of observance of environmental problems…is being planned for next spring…when a nationwide environmental 'teach-in'…coordinated from the office of Senator Gaylord Nelson is planned…."

Since that time, Earth Day has been celebrated each spring to remind us of the importance of our environment, and how each of us can make a difference. Ten years before the Senator's death in 2005, President Bill Clinton awarded Senator Gaylord Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, remarking that “As the father of Earth Day…He inspired us to remember that the stewardship of our natural resources is the stewardship of the American Dream."

Although Earth Day is officially commemorated by communities across the nation on April 22nd, the week leading up to this date often includes special events. The University of Massachusetts in Boston, for example, is holding an Earth Day Fair to raise awareness about environmental issues. At the National Mall in Washington, D.C., an event called The Green Generation will launch. The Green Apple Festival took place on April 17-19 in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

While these events are remarkable demonstrations of a unified ecological attitude, we all know that the stewardship message behind Earth Day must be practiced every day in order for a long term positive ecological impact to take place. Members of the BBEST team carry that message forward by developing eco-friendly products and practices, and by creating artistic products that remind us of our responsibilities to this planet.

Sue of maddyandme, for example, does her part by upcycling the leftover wool fibers that are part of her felting process in a Spring Bird Nesting Kit.

Spring Bird Nesting Kit, by maddyandme

Joon of joonwalk makes whimsical Pocketfuls of Starlight that use vintage or reclaimed fabrics, notions and buttons.

Pocketful of Starlight, by joonwalk

Beth of BethPeardonProds speaks about the impact we have on the environment through sand-writing in her ACEO-sized photo, "God's Earth."

God's Earth, by BethPeardonProds

Through her bubblescape titled "Compassion," Diane of DianeClancy reminds us, "Compassion for ourselves, other people and the earth is an important part of protecting the environment."

Compassion, by DianeClancy

Sara of LaughingOtterJewelry suggests the symbiotic relationships in nature with her bracelet, "Earth and Water."

Earth and Water, by LaughingOtterJewelry

Kate of heronkate points to the origins of the earth and how time affects our planet through her Southwestern-colored, pyramid-shaped earrings, shaded like layers of sedimentary rock. According to some, the ancient Egyptians believed that the earth sprang from a mound shaped like a pyramid.

Earth Pyramid Earrings, by heronkate

In her shop, Joni of jstinson features a print titled "Sacred Sites," by Dakota artist Donel Keeler. According to Joni, the Native Warrior in this illustration "is imploring us to protect the ancient and sacred sites of our Native people." This respect for people, their history and their relationship to the earth underscores part of what Earth Day is all about.

Sacred Sites, by Donel Keeler, at jstinson

To read other environment-related blog posts by Boomers, refer to the posts below.

• Lights Out, Peace In
• The BBEST Stimulus Package
  
• Earth Day Every Day

© 2009 Judy Nolan. All rights reserved. Please note that the images in this post are owned by the artists and may not be used without permission. Simultaneously published at http://sparklines.blogspot.com.