We often say we are managing our natural resources sustainably, but what if, in doing so, we are slowly losing the very things we claim to protect? In The Trees Are Speaking, Lynda Mapes describes forests that have been clear cut and carefully replanted, landscapes that, on paper, are restored. Trees return. The forest grows back. But what existed before is not truly recovered. Even with careful replanting, what was taken cannot be fully replaced. Old growth, shaped over centuries, is gone. The depth of nutrients built into the soil, the complexity of habitats, the relationships between species, these are not things that can simply be recreated. What comes back may function, but it is not the same. And in many cases, what was lost will not be seen again within our lifetimes. What looks like recovery is, in reality, replacement. A new forest stands where another once existed, but it carries a different structure, a different rhythm, a different capacity to support life. Time itself ...
A travel and reflection blog by a university professor exploring state parks, historic sites, and cultural landmarks. Blending personal stories, outdoor adventures, and educational insights, each post invites readers to discover new places, reflect on their meaning, and appreciate the beauty of the natural and human-made world. Follow along for thoughtful wanderings and behind-the-scenes ponderings.