Aurora's Blog

Picking up from yesterday –

We waited a bit for the other volunteers, but none ended up showing up. It was just me and James for the day.

But the only thing we needed to accomplish was digging up eight dead trees so alive ones could be planted in their places.

A new plant by the Department of Water and Power opened up, and the deal the plant made to move in was that they would replant all the trees they harmed by coming in. They ended up digging out the system that brought water to those 8 trees, so that’s why the trees died and will be replanted (on Arbor Day (which at the time was only a week away, but by the time this is posting, is behind us)).

It was a beautiful day to work outside because it wasn’t wildly sunny. So, yay. Our precious skin was spared!

James was so knowledgeable about nature. He knew every thing there was to know about every tree and plant – or at least so it seemed to me.

He said that nature has this innate positivity and that if you’re ever feeling down, you should go sit by a tree because within 15 minutes, your spirit will automatically be lifted.

Of course, being someone who dislikes the outdoors, I’m not sure how much I completely agree. But I will say, I felt really positive after the day with him. So, what do I know? Maybe it was his sunny personality, or perhaps it was the trees…

He also told me the story of how Tree Musketeers got started. Apparently, back in the ’80s, some Brownies (little Girl Scouts) planted a tree to get a merit badge. And they loved the work so much, they made a non-profit out of it! And I guess it continues to be run by kids to this day (even though the original kids have grown up, and at least one is on the board now).

So, I thought that was really cool. People seeing something they loved, seeing a need, and just boom. “Let’s start this organization.” I liked that.

After we pulled up the trees, we drove them over to a place that recycles them into mulch. And there you have it! Such a simple, efficient, fun-filled day.