Common Waters

Seeing the Forest Through the Trees

He who plants a tree
Plants a hope.
-Lucy Larcom, “Plant a Tree”

Facts about trees and forests in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• 100 acres of forest are lost every day
• Each person living in the watershed uses tree-derived products that equate to the harvesting of 2 acres of trees/year
• You would need to plant 86-103 trees/year in order to offset your carbon footprint

Why are trees important?
•The American Lung Association gave 65% of the Chesapeake Bay watershed a grade of D or F in terms of air quality and its affect on public health
• Trees improve air quality and public health
• Forest cover protects 60% of streams in the watershed
• Forest cover is the most productive way to safeguard water quality
• Studies show that tree cover increases the life of roadways by 10 years (sun damages roads)

All facts are from a Forestry Workshop that I attended yesterday, put on by the Mason Dixon Task Force, “Forest Sustainability for Local Governments.”

Fall is a great time to plant a tree! Click here for information about tree planting and to download a $10-off coupon toward the purchase of a tree: The Growing Home Campaign

Pharmaceutical drugs in drinking water

The Associated Press today reported the results of several U.S. cities that have been tested for pharmaceuticals in their drinking water. At this time, over 46 million Americans are drinking water laced with drugs, yet not all locations have been tested. For example, no results were reported for Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, or New York City, but other towns along the east coast did provide results. New York City officials said that testing was “not warranted” at this time. Hmm, I wonder when it might be a good time for them to conduct an analysis….

You can read about the story here:

AP Enterprise: Drugs affect more drinking water

Rally for the River - Sept. 21

Join the Jones Falls Watershed Association for this year’s Rally for the River (formerly known as the Jones Falls Valley Celebration). Walk, run, bike, rollerblade, kayak, canoe, skateboard, or push a stroller. This is the area’s largest gathering of fun-loving conservationists! Many vendors will be in attendance as well as many activities planned for adults and children alike. To name a few: a skateboarding competition, boating activities, and a frog race where you can win cash prizes.

When:
Sunday, September 21, 2008
8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where:
Closed northbound lanes of I-83 (JFX), from President Street to Northern Parkway

The northbound lane of 1-83 is closed to traffic to allow you to explore and play on (and under) the JFX.

Cost:
$5 for adults, 17 and under are free

To volunteer or for more information, see www.jonesfalls.org .

All proceeds benefit the Jones Falls Watershed Association’s conservation and restoration work.

Running On Idle

I wish I could say I have been out on blogiday (as in, blog holiday). But alas, I have been working and traveling (for work) quite a lot lately and simply have not had time or energy to post. However, I hope to have some new content up before long! You can now subscribe (see sidebar link to the right). Let me know if you are having trouble with that link.

By the way, did you hear about the large gorilla population they recently found in the Congo?! It’s one bright spot in a world where wildlife numbers are plummeting drastically. Fantastic news so long as protection is procured.

See you again soon!

Casting Toward Hope

There is a particular river that I frequent often and know well, like a favorite worn shoe. I enjoy watching the river’s sinuous curves and the surrounding landscape change through the seasons and years. The fall explosion of colors and mat of fallen leaves underfoot ignite the senses dramatically. In winter I feel the crisp air deep in my lungs, the clarity of open sky, and the stillness punctuated by feet punching on fresh snow. Spring cleverly offers me a fresh perspective on hope. And summer’s humidity casts its dense haze over a camouflage of foliage. While the river is never the same, she serves as a consistent lifeline for the animals, plants, and people like myself that depend on her for subsistence (literal or otherwise). I go to the river seeking rejuvenation and the kind of refreshment that settles so naturally in my soul. It is this sense of refuge and nourishment that also promotes healing for those wounded in service to the military.

Active-duty, disabled military veterans and personnel are finding rehabilitation through a fly fishing nonprofit organization called Project Healing Waters. This program, which was launched in 2005 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, enlists volunteers to train wounded veterans in the art of fly tying and fly fishing. The fly tying program focuses on training those with upper limb and vision injuries to relearn their use of fine motor skills. Because the flies are a concrete and obtainable goal, the patient often has more motivation to continue with this activity, and therefore it aids in their therapy. The fly fishing program strengthens recuperating muscles and improves balance and mobility. Both activities aid in the injured service member’s overall rehabilitation and recovery: mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Those who may have been struggling to find hope after debilitating injury are given skills that build strength, coordination, confidence, and purpose, as well as an avenue for fun and relaxation. What better way to find a respite from pain than alongside a cool, beautiful stream?

This is a touching and inspiring program made possible by the generosity of volunteers and a host of partners. To learn more about this free, national project, please visit www.projecthealingwaters.org.