What kid hasn’t climbed a tree at some point during childhood? Most, however, come down to earth by adulthood.
In 1997, an environmental activist named Julia Butterfly Hill climbed atop a 1000-year-old redwood tree in order to stop a deforestation company from cutting it down. The tree, named Luna, was Hill’s home for over two years, until her descent on Dec. 18, 1999. Hill lived on a six-by-eight foot platform made of recycled materials. Her friends delivered food, mail, and supplies to the base of the tree, using a bag attached to a rope that was lowered down to the ground, then lifted back up to the top, about 200 feet above ground.
Of course, Hill did eventually return to the ground, but not without curating a community dedicated to protecting and nurturing the environment and protecting historical trees.
But how? How can a common interest of safeguarding the environment lead to a community of dedicated nature preservationists?
According to the Sustainability Times, “Living a more sustainable life can inspire others to do the same, giving an eco-conscious mindset the power to unite communities through consistent action. Taking an inclusive and holistic approach to sustainability within a community can make a real difference while inspiring others to examine their own practices.”
Erica Shannon, a biology teacher at Elkhart High School, expounds upon this idea: “To bring people together, you must have a shared goal or concern. Finding like minded people who share your beliefs about environmental preservation helps create a community to work together with the environment. Freedom to have conversations about environmental issues can help find ways to support preservation efforts.” Continuing, Shannon offers a local way to achieve this. “Society For A Better Earth, an organization ingrained in Elkhart High School, is supporting environmental preservation efforts by educating people and building an aforementioned community that is built around environmental issues.”
No matter the size of one’s community, whether it be a school organization, a statewide nonprofit, or a single soul in a 200-foot redwood tree, it is important to understand the impact of environmental preservation. As said by Julia Butterfly Hill, “By standing together in unity, solidarity and love, we will heal the wounds in the earth and in each other. We can make a positive difference through our actions.”
