Protecting Our Land

"Our earth is not an object to be exploited, but a living organism inviting our dialogue and participation."                                                                            — Diarmuid O’Murchu "A nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself."                                                                                  — Franklin D. Roosevelt Dirt, soil, call it what you want—it's everywhere we go. It is the root of our existence, supporting our feet, our farms, our cities. This fascinating yet disquieting book finds, however, that we are running out of dirt, and it's no laughing matter. An engaging natural and cultural history of soil that sweeps from ancient civilizations to modern times, Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations explores the compelling idea that we are—and have long been—using up Earth's soil. Once bare of protective vegetation and exposed to wind and rain, cultivated soils erode bit by bit, slowly enough to be ignored in a single lifetime but fast enough over centuries to limit the lifespan of civilizations. . . . David R. Montgomery sees in the recent rise of organic and no-till farming the hope for a new agricultural revolution that might help us avoid the fate of previous civilizations."      — From Jacket Cover of Dirt, the Erosion of Civilizations by David R. Montgomery Make compost with garden waste. In nature, compostable waste, like the waste found on the forest floor, decomposes into soil through the action of microorganisms, and returns energy and nutrients to the forest floor. Our trash contains a large amount of organic waste, which, instead of being returned to the natural cycle, is cut off from the soil and added to our landfills."                                   — 365 Ways to Save the Earth by Philippe Bourseiller A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and an eligible organization that restricts future activities on the land to protect its conservation values.1 Across America, thousands of landowners who care about their land have partnered with easement holders—nonprofit organizations and public agencies—to ensure the land’s protection in perpetuity. Click here to read more.                                             — The Conservation Easement Handbook Nuns race to keep sacred grounds out of developers’ reach. It’s not just a feel-good spiritual mission. Over the past 40 years, as the number of Catholic nuns has plummeted, religious orders have been lured by offers to sell their land. But a New England nun has launched a faith-based mission to protect the land from developers. Click here to read the rest of Bridget Macdonald’s article. Old Growth Woods Plant Survey: Field botanist, Daniel W. Boone, surveyed the plants found in the Old Growth Woods on the Sisters of Charity Motherhouse property. Click here to view his complete report.   Recommended Readings Earth Healing – Reflections on Land Stewardship by Albert J. Fritsch, SJ The Our Father: Our Environmental Teacher by Paula Gonzalez, S.C., Ph.D., St. Anthony Messenger, October 2007 I’d Like to Say: We Should Celebrate Darwin by Paula Gonzalez, S.C., Ph.D., St.Anthony Messenger, November 2009

 

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