I just read this week’s Gazette. I folded the paper with a level of anger, and yet saddened by the careless, flagrant act upon Edward’s Pond. I was struck by the question of whether we as a community value our forests and the creatures that depend on the integrity of functional ecosystems. I believe the majority of us do, and on some level understand the vital role of ecological integrity. Without balanced ecosystems the literal fabric that binds us all together begins to unravel.
Functional forests and watersheds become isolated from one another and the continuity of integrated ecosystems become isolated islands of extinction. We are witnessing the last great extinction at the hands of mankind. Climate change is a factor in species decline, but even more insidious is our neglect and unwavering push to erode and extract more from nature.
This act of malice against the old tree which we describe as a dead tree is in fact far from dead. It has moved along in the cycle of life to become a nursery of sorts providing shelter for myriad creatures and will eventually decompose, and become the lifeblood for mycelium, the underground powerhouse of a living forest.
It is incumbent upon us to view this act of malice as a sign, that our understanding of and value of nature is in need of self examination. It requires us to hold those who defy the law and care little for nature, to be held accountable. It requires us all to delve deeper into what we value and in what capacity will we hold those values. We must also keep in mind that our values will have a profound effect on our children and generations that follow our lead.
Roy Schiesser
On behalf of the Boundary Forests Watershed Stewardship Society
Grand Forks