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P. 33
Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper April 2017 Page 33
by Christine Maccabee
On The Wild Side
Faith in the Seeds:A Message
of Hope for Earth Day 2017
One of my favorite short stories insects and wildlife and are deeply
is The Man Who Planted Trees by dependent on one another, creating
Jean Giono. A wonderful half-hour healthy eco-systems.” Much like
film was created around this story, Elzeard Bouffier, we too can do
through the use of masterful and something special on our individual
inspiring watercolor animation. It properties, whether with seeds or
takes place in France and is about transplanting bare-rooted or potted
a solitary man, Elzeard Bouffier, native plants. Working together,
who slowly and quietly reforests we all can create vitally important
the mountains and valleys where he habitat for wildlife with healthy eco-
lives. On land devastated by clear- systems.
cutting, charcoal industry, war, However, nothing can beat
and ignorance, Bouffier planted Mother Nature when it comes to
thousands of acorns, as well as seeds saving seeds. She is the ultimate seed-
and saplings of other saver. Perhaps you have
trees. He continued heard the remarkable
planting right on story of some lupine
through the two world seeds that were found
wars until his death as in the frozen arctic soil.
a very old man. He also Even though these seeds
raised bees and watched were shown by radio-
as springs and streams carbon dating to be
came back to the arid 10,000 years old, some
land, nourishing flower of them still grew when
seeds just waiting for planted in 20th century
water to flow again. soil!
He created life, which Courtesy Image Reading up about
brought people and their families
back to the abandoned villages. lupine flowers, which are in the
legume family, I learned that they
Monsieur Bouffier, though a are the host plant, as well as clovers
fictional character, is symbolic of (also in the legume family), for the
the many heroic activities by people life-cycles of various blue butterflies.
throughout the world, serving to So, I began planting blue lupine
counteract and, hopefully, maintain seeds, and I let my clovers grow in
ecological balance in a world where patches. Over the last several years,
consumerism and human activities I have seen many tiny pygmy blues
are taking a major toll. Reforestation and one illusive eastern tailed-blue,
efforts in Central America by the so I know they have found my
wonderful New Forest Project are property! Such are the rewards of
bringing back the rainforests in one lone naturalist...
El Salvador and other war-torn When I first read the story of
countries. Here in the USA, cities Elzeard Bouffier, I thought he was
and towns are being encouraged to an actual person. Of course, I was
become Tree Cities, and our town of disappointed to learn his was a
Thurmont is passing qualifications fictional story, but to make it actual
to be one of those cities, with tree- is now my challenge, and everyone’s
planting activities on-going. challenge. All we have to do is care
enough to do something. As I always
Personally, I have faith in seeds say, every little bit helps, but if you
as an important component in our can do more, that’s wonderful.
efforts to take care of our planet. I So, be inspired this spring, and
am a seed saver of old variety and have faith in the seeds!
heirloom vegetable seeds, as well as
flower seeds of all sorts, especially Christine is a Master Wildlife Habitat
ones on the wild side, otherwise Naturalist in the state of Maryland.
known as Natives. According to She is also a member of the Green
the Native Gardeners Companion Team in Thurmont. She would be
catalogue, which offers customers glad to help you with habitat on
nearly seven hundred native species, your property and can be reached by
“native plants co-evolved with native email at: [email protected].
by Christine Maccabee
On The Wild Side
Faith in the Seeds:A Message
of Hope for Earth Day 2017
One of my favorite short stories insects and wildlife and are deeply
is The Man Who Planted Trees by dependent on one another, creating
Jean Giono. A wonderful half-hour healthy eco-systems.” Much like
film was created around this story, Elzeard Bouffier, we too can do
through the use of masterful and something special on our individual
inspiring watercolor animation. It properties, whether with seeds or
takes place in France and is about transplanting bare-rooted or potted
a solitary man, Elzeard Bouffier, native plants. Working together,
who slowly and quietly reforests we all can create vitally important
the mountains and valleys where he habitat for wildlife with healthy eco-
lives. On land devastated by clear- systems.
cutting, charcoal industry, war, However, nothing can beat
and ignorance, Bouffier planted Mother Nature when it comes to
thousands of acorns, as well as seeds saving seeds. She is the ultimate seed-
and saplings of other saver. Perhaps you have
trees. He continued heard the remarkable
planting right on story of some lupine
through the two world seeds that were found
wars until his death as in the frozen arctic soil.
a very old man. He also Even though these seeds
raised bees and watched were shown by radio-
as springs and streams carbon dating to be
came back to the arid 10,000 years old, some
land, nourishing flower of them still grew when
seeds just waiting for planted in 20th century
water to flow again. soil!
He created life, which Courtesy Image Reading up about
brought people and their families
back to the abandoned villages. lupine flowers, which are in the
legume family, I learned that they
Monsieur Bouffier, though a are the host plant, as well as clovers
fictional character, is symbolic of (also in the legume family), for the
the many heroic activities by people life-cycles of various blue butterflies.
throughout the world, serving to So, I began planting blue lupine
counteract and, hopefully, maintain seeds, and I let my clovers grow in
ecological balance in a world where patches. Over the last several years,
consumerism and human activities I have seen many tiny pygmy blues
are taking a major toll. Reforestation and one illusive eastern tailed-blue,
efforts in Central America by the so I know they have found my
wonderful New Forest Project are property! Such are the rewards of
bringing back the rainforests in one lone naturalist...
El Salvador and other war-torn When I first read the story of
countries. Here in the USA, cities Elzeard Bouffier, I thought he was
and towns are being encouraged to an actual person. Of course, I was
become Tree Cities, and our town of disappointed to learn his was a
Thurmont is passing qualifications fictional story, but to make it actual
to be one of those cities, with tree- is now my challenge, and everyone’s
planting activities on-going. challenge. All we have to do is care
enough to do something. As I always
Personally, I have faith in seeds say, every little bit helps, but if you
as an important component in our can do more, that’s wonderful.
efforts to take care of our planet. I So, be inspired this spring, and
am a seed saver of old variety and have faith in the seeds!
heirloom vegetable seeds, as well as
flower seeds of all sorts, especially Christine is a Master Wildlife Habitat
ones on the wild side, otherwise Naturalist in the state of Maryland.
known as Natives. According to She is also a member of the Green
the Native Gardeners Companion Team in Thurmont. She would be
catalogue, which offers customers glad to help you with habitat on
nearly seven hundred native species, your property and can be reached by
“native plants co-evolved with native email at: [email protected].
