The Tree

Hi ! Have you ever wondered whether this is Employment!?
Writing letters - to protect the LifeSupport of You and Me - is definitely also a job. Unpaid perhaps, but very satisfying and empowering -
when you find you’ve made a change for the Environment in your area.

If you feel you would like to do something to help “CREATE HABITAT” for disappearing plants and animals, read this story.
It’s from a book I just read this year:

“In the early 1990s Dr.David Suzuki visited Canberra, including in his busy schedule a talkback radio programme called ‘The Green Classroom’, where a panel of school children interviewed him…. On the panel were two children from Aranda Primary School who told Dr. Suzuki that they were recycling paper, propagating plants, keeping worm farms and planting trees at their school. They asked him what more they could do to help the environment. He replied ‘Don’t just plant trees, create habitat.’ David’s comment profoundly affected us all and from that day on the environment programme at Aranda was never the same. Not only did the children, staff and parents ‘create habitat’ by planting a forest of 4000 trees and shrubs and a butterfly garden of herbs, but also, spurred on by David Suzuki’s comments, worked to expand the overall programme so that it became more holistic and integrated. All who participated were encouraged to think more deeply and holistically about their actions and their effect upon the environment.”
……….For instance, over the intervening years many visitors to Canberra have wanted to see ‘the forest in our school grounds’. Rather than a teacher hosting tours of the school grounds, it has been the Year 5 and Year 6 children, 10 an 11 year olds, who happily take on the responsibility …….Students are also making valuable conceptual links between the formal curriculum and their day-to-day lives. For example, in a recent student-led project with ‘The Art of Choice’ project team……..” (“The Natural Advantage of Nations” pg 432.)

I have just decided to send this story to my local council to help them to use it to inspire home and garden owners to ‘create habitat’ in their gardens!

I have also decided to ask for a SIGNIFICANT TREE REGISTER to protect trees which are historically unique and which - if “removed” (killed that is) - would be a real loss to the special character of the area in which it stands.(LINK)

SEE BELOW LETTERS I HAVE WRITTEN - WHICH YOU CAN PRINT AND SEND TO YOUR COUNCIL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AS WELL.

Do you see any small birds anymore in built up places? When I first came to Australia there were little blue wrens and eastern yellow robins in my garden. Not any more.
With more people, more patios, paved areas, pools, courts and carports, our gardens have no HABITAT for little birds to shelter in. In our suburbs there are more developments of shopping centers, big car parks and huge flats and apartment complexes.

Small birds, old plants, amazing insects and helpless animals have virtually been wiped out of our gardens and suburbs. Plants, animals, insects and birds which share our atoms and (believe it or not), on which we are completely dependent - are quickly and suddenly disappearing.

Why should this worry us? - Because we are all part of the same biodiversity and planet - they are the canaries in the mine - the warning that if they are going, our own prospects look somewhat sick.

This is a web for constructive environmental education and action for the environment. If you would like to do your bit to change things, I will offer a letter which is easy to print, put your name to and send off to your local council. It will tell them the story of David Suzuki’s words “CREATE HABITAT” and ask them to “create habitat” in your suburb.

But why stop at one local council! “CREATE HABITAT” is the sort of slogan, and the story of the school is just the sort of story, which might inspire a whole city of Councils and Schools. &&&& Well there’s another job!

AS I SAID there are also ways of protecting those trees which UNME don’t want to see die or disappear. If a tree you know is valuable for shade or beauty or because it is a special species or has historical value, or simply because it has taken a long time to grow to its present height or majesty - then You and Me should be able to protect it. How to do this? Suggest a SIGNIFICANT TREE REGISTER IN YOUR SUBURB.

Don’t worry if TREES may drop branches - dangerous branches can be removed without the whole beautiful creature being “removed” (killed). Yes trees can also be destroyed by natural events like storms and fires - so we need to protect them from humans who want to destroy them! As for dropping leaves - that’s natural for a tree! Anyway here’s the first letter:

To The Mayor, Date: , 2006.
Need more Trees or Tree-less Suburb.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Here is a story of how two words ‘CREATE HABITAT’ have made a remarkable change for the better in a suburb in Canberra, Australia.

……….For instance, over the intervening years many visitors to Canberra have wanted to see ‘the forest in our school grounds’. Rather than a teacher hosting tours of the school grounds, it has been the Year 5 and Year 6 children, 10 an 11 year olds, who happily take on the responsibility.

…….Students are also making valuable conceptual links between the formal curriculum and their day-to-day lives. ..” (“The Natural Advantage of Nations” pg 432.)

Wouldn’t it be good for our Suburb too if you organized the Council to:

Plant more trees in….……….(name streets), and not only plant more trees but
Also “Create habitat” for stressed and disappearing plants, animals and birds - by planting native shrubs and grasses under the trees and
Encouraging us and our neighbours to protect the flora and fauna in our local area by having small ponds, rock formations and bird baths in our gardens.

As our Mayor, your action would be a tribute to you and your colleagues. You are CREATING HABITAT for future generations and the Natural World.

Thank you.

Your Name and other supporting names.

Here’s a poem I received from my Social Ecology Webgroup.

What do trees have to do with peace?

Thirty years ago, in the country of Kenya, 90% of the forest had been chopped down. Without trees to hold the topsoil in place, the land became like a desert.

When the women and girls would go in search of firewood in order to prepare the meals, they would have to spend hours and hours looking for what few branches remained.

A woman named Wangari watched all of this happening. She decided that there must be a way to take better care of the land and take better care of the women and girls.

So she planted a tree. And then she planted another. She wanted to plant thousands of trees, but she realized that it would take a very long time if she was the only one doing it. So she taught the women who were looking for firewood to plant trees, and they were paid a small amount for each sapling they grew.

Soon she organized women all over the country to plant trees, and a movement took hold. It was called the Green Belt Movement, and with each passing year, more and more trees covered the land.

But something else was happening as the women planted those trees. Something else besides those trees was taking root. The women began to have confidence in themselves. They began to see that they could make a difference. They began to see that they were capable of many things, and that they were equal to the men. They began to recognize that they were deserving of being treated with respect and dignity.

Changes like these were threatening to some. The president of the country didn't like any of this. So police were sent to intimidate and beat Wangari for planting trees, and for planting ideas of equality and democracy in people's heads, especially in women's. She was accused of "subversion" and arrested many times.

Once, while Wangari was trying to plant trees, she was clubbed by guards hired by developers who wanted the lands cleared. She was hospitalized with head injuries. But she survived, and it only made her realize that she was on the right path.

For almost thirty years, she was threatened physically, and she was often made fun of in the press. But she didn't flinch. She only had to look in the eyes of her three children, and in the eyes of the thousands of women and girls who were blossoming right along with the trees, and she found the strength to continue.

And that is how it came to be that 30 million trees have been planted in Africa, one tree at a time. The landscapes--both the external one of the land and the internal one of the people--have been transformed.

In 2002, the people of Kenya held a democratic election, and the president who opposed Wangari and her Green Belt Movement is no longer in office. And Wangari is now Kenya's Assistant Minister for the Environment.

She is 65 years old, and this year she planted one more tree in celebration and thanksgiving for being given a very great honor:

Wangari Maathai has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the first African woman to receive this award.

After she was notified, she gave a speech entitled, "What Do Trees Have To Do With Peace?" She pointed out how most wars are fought over limited natural resources, such as oil, land, coal or diamonds. She called for an end to corporate greed, and for leaders to build more just societies. She added:

"Our recent experience in Kenya gives hope to all who have been struggling for a better future. It shows it is possible to bring about positive change, and still do it peacefully. All it takes is courage and perseverance, and a belief that positive change is possible. That is why the slogan for our campaign was 'It is Possible!'"

"On behalf of all African women, I want to express my profound appreciation for this honour, which will serve to encourage women in Kenya, in Africa, and around the world to raise their voices and not to be deterred."

"When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children. I call on those around the world to celebrate by planting a tree wherever you are."

As she received the Nobel Peace Prize this week in Oslo, she invited us all to get involved:

"Today we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that humanity stops threatening its life-support system. We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own."

* * *

Can we accept Wangari's invitation?
As we look around our neighborhood or city, as we look at our own country,
What is needed?
Where are women and children suffering? Where are people feeling disempowered?

Where does the Earth need our help?
What is our equivalent of planting one tree?

Here is a sad story about the destruction of ancient forest ecosystems in Tasmania, Australia. ( An ecosystem is all the interconnected plants and animals in the forest )

These magnificent trees are being cut down right now - in 2006 - for the sake of short-term jobs and - would you believe it - WOODCHIPS FOR EXPORT.

When these gardens of trees which are thousands of years old, and the ecosystem which they create are gone, with all the unique plants and animals in them, what jobs will there be then? And remember this is happening in other ancient forests in Brazil, Canada. Russia…. If you feel strongly about this destruction join ENGOs (environmental non governmental organisations) like The Wilderness Society.

-- Click now to download a School Girl’s record of this destruction of ancient forests which is happening right now, as a powerpoint presentation (7MB) --

SIGNIFICANT TREE REGISTER - 2006.
If You would like to create a Significant Tree Register for your city or suburb, photograph any historically important tree, any tree which adds to the character of the suburb you live in and any tree which would be a significant loss if “removed” (killed) - and send your local mayor and state minister all collected information with a letter (see below):
Letter:

Dear Sir/Madam, Copy to: State Environment Minister
Council Name.

Habitat is being rapidly destroyed - globally. We can at least take steps in our local area to preserve small ecosystems. A tree is a part of an ecosystem. In fact each tree is an ecosystem on its own - it supports insects, shelters birds and connects with other trees to provide “ corridors “ of protection and habitat for native animals.

As well as this trees, singly, provide shade and beauty for humans. Together in numbers and in variety, trees create biodiversity, character and ambience for the whole suburb.

It is critical for every person today to take steps to counter the local and global destruction of habitat which is occurring due to development, human activity and the natural loss of trees from storms and tree disease.

With this big picture in mind and thinking like American Indians did, (they made decisions based on the effect of those decisions on seven generations into the future) I would like to suggest that our suburb maintain a Significant Tree Register.

It would be a credit to the Council to publish this story of a school in Canberra (see below), to inspire residents of our local area to create habitat in their gardens and a spirit of community in the suburb. The Council would be achieving something for future generations and the Natural World - for which all councilors would be remembered.

Yours sincerely,

Your Name and supporting names.

“CREATE HABITAT”

“In the early 1990s Dr.David Suzuki visited Canberra, including in his busy schedule a talkback radio programme called ‘The Green Classroom’, where a panel of school children interviewed him…. On the panel were two children from Aranda Primary School who told Dr. Suzuki that they were recycling paper, propagating plants, keeping worm farms and planting trees at their school. They asked him what more they could do to help the environment. He replied ‘Don’t just plant trees, create habitat.’ David’s comment profoundly affected us all and from that day on the environment programme at Aranda was never the same. Not only did the children, staff and parents ‘create habitat’ by planting a forest of 4000 trees and shrubs and a butterfly garden of herbs, but also, spurred on by David Suzuki’s comments, worked to expand the overall programme so that it became more holistic and integrated. All who participated were encouraged to think more deeply and holistically about their actions and their effect upon the environment.”
……….For instance, over the intervening years many visitors to Canberra have wanted to see ‘the forest in our school grounds’. Rather than a teacher hosting tours of the school grounds, it has been the Year 5 and Year 6 children, 10 an 11 year olds, who happily take on the responsibility …….Students are also making valuable conceptual links between the formal curriculum and their day-to-day lives. For example, in a recent student-led project with ‘The Art of Choice’ project team……..”
(“The Natural Advantage of Nations” pg 432. Published 2005 )

Include with your letter:

Photo of significant tree or trees.
Street and suburb.
Reason why significant in your opinion.
Supporting names and signatures.

Write to www.web-of-unme.com if there is a Significant Tree or Group of trees which You would like to save for future generations.

The Web of UNME - Significant Tree Register

Location (Street, Suburb, nearest cross Street or special identifying buiding)
Reason for nominating the Tree ( AGE, HISTORY, SPECIES, CONTRIBUTION TO AREA’S AMBIENCE, SHADE, BEAUTY etc.)
Photo
Names of other People who feel the same way about the Tree/ Trees.