thoughts on the news of the day: trees

hmmm…..

            Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, a nonprofit organization is collecting genetic material from redwoods, sequoias and other ancient trees in a plan to restore the world’s oldest forests.  Hopefully the trees will continue working to cleanse the environment and absorb carbon dioxide, the greenhouse gas that is the main culprit of global warming. 

            “In our infinite wisdom, we've destroyed 98 percent of the old growth forests that kept nature in balance for thousands of years," said David Milarch, the group's co-founder. "That's what we intend to put back."

            The mission of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is to clone the oldest and largest of the world’s tree species and then plant millions of copies of them in forests, farms, parks and even back yards.

            It’s an ambitious and noble plan and has merit in that it is about longevity rather than short term success.  Planting a tree today that won’t mature for hundreds of years takes patience, wisdom, faith and …. well …. maturity.  But planting that tree today may very well save the planet for tomorrow. 

            I was thinking about the myth of Johnny Appleseed who supposedly went across the country planting trees.  He may have been just a figment of someone’s imagination, but the trees that were planted years ago by others have resulted in the growth we have today.  So, it’s about investing in our future and having faith that there will be a future with hope for generations to come.

            hmmm…..