One thing I like about central Chile is that even when you have a 36°C day, the nights are going to be around 15°C, so windows open, maybe a fan... but nice and cool at night. Plus since it is most arid here, low humidity.... Bonus!
Heartening to know that there are still people who want to protect and preserve the wild. We need more like them and WAY fewer of the types who would bleed it dry for their own profit.
It is. It really is. Every person on this walk feels this way. Some will donate land or money. Some will bake cookies or find other ways to raise money. Others will volunteer their time and effort for land improvement projects. A few will help promote this alternative way of looking at land stewardship. We all want the same thing; to see these lands protected, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to follow. It's something tangible we can do for the world while we are still in it. It's empowering in an age that seems hell bent on disempowering us. It's a way of fighting back.
Looks like a lovely day as chronicled by your storytelling in words and images, John. The ice photos are particularly beautiful. It's wonderful to know of deliberate efforts to protect and preserve this place of natural beauty.
Very interesting post, John. It’s so nice to hear that there are forward thinking people who are willing to donate their land to protect it long term and to allow others to enjoy rather than selling it off for development. Kudos to them.
Ya. I had Doug McRae out to look at the property just before the snow came and he seemed to like it. I'll get a more complete inspection in the spring.
That looks like a lovely place to walk! Although, I would go there other times of the year since snow is a no-no for the outdoors for me. Interesting about the oak galls and oak gall ink - I had to look that up.
Yes, it's beautiful there and will be a welcome addition to the land trust's holdings. I know what you mean too, snow and ice can be a bit of a hazard for walking. Fortunately, one of the ladies in the group I was walking with spotted the oak galls and had made the ink in the past so knew quite a bit about it. Even still, I had to look it up for this article.
How lucky you were to be invited. This generosity to preserve land is so wonderful, so necessary. Your photos are, as always, interesting and informative. Ice stalagmites that are cones of jewel-like ice pebbles, And oak galls! Oak gall ink! Always wonderful new things to learn. Thank you. Another delightful and informative exploration of the natural world.
Thank you Linda for your generous comment. I would correct you on one thing. I'm not lucky. I'm fortunate. Anyone can get involved with a land trust. Anyone can join in one of these walks. While not everyone may be physically able to attend them, they are most welcome to if they can. There is a gazebo at the one Pine Marsh site for instance that can be reached from the road. Anyone can visit the gazebo and sit there for a picnic or to read a book surrounded by nature. You do not need to be a member or be invited to go there. In that way, we are all fortunate for the Northumberland Land Trust.
I'm glad you liked it and thank you for your comment. There are more and more people lining up to donate their properties to land trusts to protect them from future development. Where conservation areas are partnerships between government organizations which can have changing environmental interests over the course of time, land trusts are designed to protect land from development into perpetuity. In this case, the land owner is also a land trust board member, so his generosity actually exceeds his donation. People care passionately about this stuff and are volunteering their time and effort as well as land and monetary support. It's turning into something of a movement. A land stewardship movement.
Great post John - thanks for sharing. So important to preserve our natural environment and habitats as you have described. You covered a lot of ground including the interesting background on oak gall ink - I had no idea!
Fantastic photos John... well done! Looks like it was a great, albeit slightly cold, hike!
Something to coll you down on those hot nights of yours.
One thing I like about central Chile is that even when you have a 36°C day, the nights are going to be around 15°C, so windows open, maybe a fan... but nice and cool at night. Plus since it is most arid here, low humidity.... Bonus!
Heartening to know that there are still people who want to protect and preserve the wild. We need more like them and WAY fewer of the types who would bleed it dry for their own profit.
It is. It really is. Every person on this walk feels this way. Some will donate land or money. Some will bake cookies or find other ways to raise money. Others will volunteer their time and effort for land improvement projects. A few will help promote this alternative way of looking at land stewardship. We all want the same thing; to see these lands protected, not just for ourselves, but for the generations to follow. It's something tangible we can do for the world while we are still in it. It's empowering in an age that seems hell bent on disempowering us. It's a way of fighting back.
Looks like a lovely day as chronicled by your storytelling in words and images, John. The ice photos are particularly beautiful. It's wonderful to know of deliberate efforts to protect and preserve this place of natural beauty.
Thank you Steve. I think the land trust movement offers a small measure of balance to the mania of progress that consumes our society.
Very interesting post, John. It’s so nice to hear that there are forward thinking people who are willing to donate their land to protect it long term and to allow others to enjoy rather than selling it off for development. Kudos to them.
Thanks Mark. I am planning this myself as it seems such a worthwhile cause.
Wow! Good for you, John. That’s wonderful.
Ya. I had Doug McRae out to look at the property just before the snow came and he seemed to like it. I'll get a more complete inspection in the spring.
Please let us know how it goes.
I will.
That looks like a lovely place to walk! Although, I would go there other times of the year since snow is a no-no for the outdoors for me. Interesting about the oak galls and oak gall ink - I had to look that up.
Yes, it's beautiful there and will be a welcome addition to the land trust's holdings. I know what you mean too, snow and ice can be a bit of a hazard for walking. Fortunately, one of the ladies in the group I was walking with spotted the oak galls and had made the ink in the past so knew quite a bit about it. Even still, I had to look it up for this article.
How lucky you were to be invited. This generosity to preserve land is so wonderful, so necessary. Your photos are, as always, interesting and informative. Ice stalagmites that are cones of jewel-like ice pebbles, And oak galls! Oak gall ink! Always wonderful new things to learn. Thank you. Another delightful and informative exploration of the natural world.
Thank you Linda for your generous comment. I would correct you on one thing. I'm not lucky. I'm fortunate. Anyone can get involved with a land trust. Anyone can join in one of these walks. While not everyone may be physically able to attend them, they are most welcome to if they can. There is a gazebo at the one Pine Marsh site for instance that can be reached from the road. Anyone can visit the gazebo and sit there for a picnic or to read a book surrounded by nature. You do not need to be a member or be invited to go there. In that way, we are all fortunate for the Northumberland Land Trust.
I am most interested in going on future walks.
Great! Just contact Leslie Abram at info@nltrust.ca to let her know you want to know about future walks.
Thanks. Will do.
John: This was a fun read and the spirit of generosity from the donor family is commendable.
I'm glad you liked it and thank you for your comment. There are more and more people lining up to donate their properties to land trusts to protect them from future development. Where conservation areas are partnerships between government organizations which can have changing environmental interests over the course of time, land trusts are designed to protect land from development into perpetuity. In this case, the land owner is also a land trust board member, so his generosity actually exceeds his donation. People care passionately about this stuff and are volunteering their time and effort as well as land and monetary support. It's turning into something of a movement. A land stewardship movement.
Very interesting post, John and great photos. Thanks so much for taking us along!
Thank You very much Pamela. Thank You for joining me.
Very interesting!
Great post John - thanks for sharing. So important to preserve our natural environment and habitats as you have described. You covered a lot of ground including the interesting background on oak gall ink - I had no idea!
Ya, me neither. That's what is so great about hanging out with naturalists.