Finding Voice for Trees, A Blog & Song

As I help others to try and find their voice, I must continue to find my own. Human hearts unite with trees and nature. Introducing, The Honor Roll for Trees worthy of special recognition and protection yet stand in imminent danger of destruction.

Too often in our time, nature loses out to exponential growth and big business. We must depend on our elected officials to protect our green spaces. Environmental groups help to keep the balance and integrity of, and between the land, the people and politics. Growth can be sustainable. It need not be reckless.

When we design with nature in mind everyone wins, but it seems it may be too expensive for this part of California, and or the people of Roseville and Rocklin are not fully aware of what will happen when the California Department of Transportation breaks ground for the long-awaited Expansion Project of State Road 65 off I-80, Phase I.

The current plan seems to show that it is more cost effective, for the most part, to plow under (dredge and fill) a riparian forest, stream, and creek (Antelope Creek known as a Salmon Run) with its old oaks and wetlands rather than save it.

In psychology today there is a term used to describe when a person is overcome with emotions and therefore “tunes out” from their surroundings. It’s called, “disassociation” and is sometimes referred to as a coping mechanism, or defense mechanism to deal with stress. I think there are many that suffer today from dissociation from nature, and its accompanying feeling of loss.

In response, The Honor Roll for Trees has begun as a way for people to express their individual feelings and thoughts about this project’s impact. Humans have a deep and abiding relationship with nature. We are intimately connected to the trees even if we are unaware.

Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. and Director of Research at the Heartmath Institute in Boulder, California said to me during our recent conversation about the Human Heart and its connection to Trees, I have no doubt that Trees have biofields that interact with us, and it is our intention to prove this. (Link: www.heartmath.org/research/research-library/)

Presently, both Rocklin and Roseville City Tree Permits are closed in regards to Phase I of SR 65/I-80 and no longer accepting any pleas or comments. At this juncture we can only show a better way, and hope to save as much of the land's integrity as possible from what could be destructive mitigation. Trees are members of the community. We are their stewards.

Author: Kris Farquhar © March 4, 2018

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