Earth Day Reflection

By Marie Winger

Earth Day, April 22, is a worldwide celebration to help us all stop and appreciate the verdant planet we are lucky enough to call home in the vastness of space. I have always been in awe of our natural world. As a small child, I was lucky to have a small stream at the bottom of a wooded hillside in which I played. I would build dams creating small pools to sail bark boats upon. I would marvel how my peaceful stream would become a ranging torrent twice its size during summer storms, easily washing away my hard built dams. I learned the different colored pebbles from the stream bed could make different colored marks on a flat stone “inventing” the art of petroglyphs.

In our small postage stamp yard behind our city row house grew a butterfly bush and a massive honeysuckle vine. I was fascinated by all the pollinators and butterflies that visited their flowers. I watched intently as each insect extracted the nectar inside the blossoms, especially the big fat bumble bees best legs heavy with pollen.

More than once I have been almost knocked over because I have been stopped dead in my tracks by the magnificence of blazing sunset.

For 40 years we lived in a house on a one acre wooded lot. I planted lush shade gardens around the house, and yes, they were planted with hostas and astilbe and other non-native species. But I also lovingly tended to the woods. I removed the invasive English Ivy and battled the garlic mustard. I kept the berry bushes in check but left thickets to feed and provide cover for wildlife. I watched excitedly as the Spring ephemeral wild flower species pushed through the leaf litter: bloodroot, Solomon’s seal, Mayapples, and Spring beauty. And, Oh, the birds!

So I guess I am one of the ones for whom everyday is Earth Day. But I also care about this planet because it is our home. We need its water clean, its air fresh, and the soil healthy to survive. I want my grandchildren to inherit a world in which they can thrive, not just survive. What are your thoughts on why environmental issues matter?  Some of the EAR Committee members have shared theirs:

• This is the only Earth that we have and we have the power to take care of it. If we do, that will benefit humanity for all generations.
• The wonder of creation has long been neglected and we’re seeing the result. So now we must work to protect and restore it.
• The environment of our world we live in is an awesome gift! We need to be thankful for it, cherish it, and take care of it.
• To honor the Creator and the Creation we are blessed to live in, and to respond in loving and responsible care of this precious gift.

This is why we feel it never hurts to take the time to stop and appreciate anew. Perhaps see something with different eyes, learn something new, and enjoy the wonders outside our windows. The Homestead Village Environmental Action Resource (EAR) committee hopes you will appreciate, experience, and marvel at its events this month celebrating the wonders that can be found right in “Our Backyard.”