SUSTAINABILITY IN THE HEARTLAND"The Sand Looks Out On The Rippling Water, The Sky Has Cast An Omnipotent Dimness, Each Wave Crashes Against The Shore, Washing The Shells To Mingle With The Pebbles.
We Are So Tiny Staring At The Ocean, I Wonder What Other Than Nature Is Significant…"
Susan Polis Schutz ponders our existence in her book of poetry "Come Into The Mountains, Dear Friend" published (1970) by Continental Publications. Is there anyone who has reached the age of reason who has not questioned their part in the grand scheme of life? Of monumental importance is our use of the resources on this planet and the need to change our uber-consumptive practices.
This week I viewed the result of an overnight windstorm. A very tall, probably over 90 feet tall COTTONWOOD which was next to Kernan's Restaurant here in Princeton succumbed to an extremely high wind gust and fell into the Mississippi River about 4 AM one morning. I did not know it happened until the next evening when I came into town from that direction and while passing the restaurant, became aware it was not gracing the view. As I stepped out of my car into the dark and walked down the outside steps on the south side of Kernan's, I had an odd feeling.
It is not an emotion I can accurately describe. It was very quiet except for the wind. Moving at about 20 mph, it was rustling the leaves of the other trees along the river. They seemed to be afraid. For you see the cottonwood was probably close to 100 years old and had been there as our mighty sentinel. It was a temporary stop for the EAGLES, ORIOLES, REDWINGED BLACKBIRDS, WOODPECKERS and other winged visitors. Maybe it even housed a SQUIRREL or two. It shaded the restaurant visitors on hot summer days and HELPED CLEAN THE AIR.
Now that space in the sky is empty and we feel vulnerable to the wind and to the view. Sure there are other large trees in town and even just a few blocks south, standing across from Boll's Community Center and next to the boat ramp is another glorious cottonwood. But now, we won't feel quite whole for a while as we see that spot that now only shows us a gaping hole. The base of a once beautiful specimen of nature sits cracked open with its towering trunk and new spring leaves lay in the Mississippi. Things will be different.
You know, some NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS believed the COTTONWOOD to be sacred. If you take a cross section of its limb, you will find a 5 starred design. This meant a close connection between the four directions, four seasons, and their creator.
One of the best books about trees with a wealth of information is 'THE INTERNATIONAL BOOK OF THE FOREST" published (1981) by Mitchell Beazley. It has wonderful photographs and beautiful stories of trees and their benefits to humans around the world.
So, you may wonder what this has to do with sustainability. I think having just one tree lost like this can remind us of our connection to everything that lives. Everything and Everyone who lives should not be taken for granted. Using less, consuming less, demanding less things will benefit us all. Doing these will give us more time with those we care about. We can focus on what is important and be a good example for the young ones who often become more impressed with our actions than with anything we may say.
Sustainability in part means living as simply as possible, using less energy, giving back to the soil which contributes to the growing of everything we eat in one form or another, living close to where you work, and using mass transportation and bicycling and walking to reach our destinations. So give it a shot. Dust off the old bike or tune up the horse or mule and try moving about WITHOUT an internal combustion engine several days a week to see how you can save money and become a bit greener.
Don't forget to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
Iowa City Council Should 
