Back to nature - is it happening?

Julie and I went wild ricing this past summer. A first for us.

We had no idea how to harvest wild rice. At the boat landing, we ran into four Ojibway tribal members and in 15 minutes they had taught us how to harvest the rice. They even gave us tobacco so we could thank the Great Spirit for the gift of the rice.  We had a wonderful time. Then Julie researched the history of ricing, which is quite a story about nature's balance, the white man's destruction of the rice beds, and the restoration of the rice beds under Native American supervision.

Are you going back to nature? Do you think people in this century will gravitate back to nature, or become even more divorced from nature?

Comments

[John Carney]

I personally feel we are already gravitating back to nature. I know from my experiences and those of friends, family and even learners I have had in class, we are doing more outdoors with nature and balancing with nature than I can remember from my past experiences.

[Sherry Martin]

When he was home for the holidays, I was surprised to hear my 24 year old son tell me that he wanted to start camping again in the spring. He had been introduced to camping and nature early in his life, but by his teens he no longer wanted to go.
He is a grad student in orchestral conducting, so if he is returning to nature, I think there is hope for the rest of the world.

[Bob Podgorski]

For the past seven years I have been a member of the Village of Hoffman Estates (Illinois) Environmental Commission. During that time we have developoed and sponsored events such as a, "Build a Birdhouse" day - for children 6-15 years old. It is full each year and 35 kids learn about bird habitat and nesting habits, then get to build their own birdhouse from a kit (one of five different species houses) and take it home - FREE. Each year we also sponsor a build an environmental theme diorama contest with elementary schools in our Village, grades 4-6 (all materials used must be 100% recycleable, reusable or renewable), student teams win educational savings bonds and participation certificates; each of the participating schools receive a $150 check for environmental projects and a nature subject projects book for their teaching library. Over 15-20 students participate annually to win this nature and recycling contest. Annually we sponsor an Environmental Fair hosting 25 environmental group exhibitors, five speakers, alternative fuel cars on display, conservation department trailers, conservation literature tables and wildlife exhibited (that are used for educational purposes due to injuries sustained in the wild, they can not be returned to their natural habitat). This year (our sixth year) we had over 400 people (all ages) attend this one day, seven hour event. Topics presented were, "Honey Bee Colony Collapse", "Windpower in Illinois", "Building A Rain Barrel", "A Greener You", "Snakes of the Midwest." You asked about back to nature interest? I have seen a continued strong intertest by residents of the Community in conservation initiatives, recycling programs and an overall increase in environmental and nature awareness and volunteerism. We have recieved calls from other communities wishing to start Environmental committees, as well. As we plan our programs for the future, we intend to focus next on Teens as a community audience yet to be further developed regarding environmental awareness and education. The initiative will offer an opportunity for 16-20 year olds to produce a 5 minute area Conservation topic video for submission and judging - winners to be aired on our local cable station channel. They will receive recognition along with winning a college scholarship to be funded by a yet to be determined local sponsor. There is a lot going on out there to encourage nature stewardship. It is each persons prerogative to carry as much of the stewardship as he or she wishes. But, carry it they are - to the benefit of their communities, natural environments and across our Planet.

[Joe Shultheis]

Obviously this issue is a personal choice. I would like to think I will become more immersed in nature and natural choices, because I believe that to be the most beneficial for self and humanity. However, I very much enjoy my new 50" plasma HD TV. :)