Living in Symbiotic Relationship (Linda Thompson)
Part 3 of 4, from Reflections on BRAIDING SWEETGRASS, a special edition of AllCreation.
Robin Wall Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass speaks eloquently of the existing symbiotic relationships between human life and the ecosystems that sustain all living beings. The Great Law of the Indigenous People is that in return for the gifts of Mother Earth, human people have responsibility for the caring of the nonhuman people. For stewardship of the land. (p.310) Kimmerer decries a human mindset that intentionally ignores environmental degradation. She argues that oblivion to impending disaster, whether resultant of human or natural forces, portends not only our own demise but that of the more-than-human people. (p. 316)
The counter to this self-constructed oblivion is ecological restoration, acts of reciprocity to Earth who gives itself to us and to whom we owe gratitude, healing and mindful attention. “We restore the land and the land restores us.” (p.326) Acts on behalf of life transform the giver and the receiver and are inseparable from the spiritual and moral blend of “mind, body, and spirit which make a person whole”. (p, 368) When we heal the Earth, we heal ourselves. Giving and taking define the wholeness of being for both the human and the more-than-human person.
The Arbor Day Foundation incorporates this philosophy of symbiotic healing into its Community Tree Recovery program, supporting the replanting of trees lost to wild fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other devastating forces. Started in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, when an estimated 320 million trees were lost statewide, Arbor Day Foundation recognized that catastrophic loss of trees devastated the ecosystem sustaining all living beings – crushing the spirits of resident humans and destroying habitat for nonhuman beings.
Facing a massive rebuilding effort, tree distribution centers were established in hard hit communities, bringing not just new trees but new life to flooded, burned, or otherwise destroyed areas. Arbor Day testifies: “While you might not think replanting trees would be a priority in communities that have seen destruction on such a massive scale, you have not met the people who came to our tree distribution centers. You have not seen the smiles on their faces. You have not seen the light in their eyes when they receive their trees. Trees for America – distributing trees, raising spirits, renewing hope, helping people rebuild their lives.”
The Arbor Foundation, established in1972, has planted and distributed nearly 500 million trees, is active in all 50 states, has a global presence in 55 countries, and works to sustain the symbiotic relationship between the human and natural ecosystems. Truly, acts on behalf of life transform the giver and the receiver. (Arbor Day, March/April 2022 letter).
Visit The Arbor Foundation and Trees for America to get involved or learn more.
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Linda Thompson is a lifelong Christian who grew up on a ranch and has a special relationship with the land. She is a member of the green team at First Baptist Church, Austin, TX., and a career librarian. These pieces were originally written for the First Baptist newsletter, April 2022.. See more of her writings here.
