When trying to promote native plants, including wildflowers, native trees, shrubs, and more, one of the first steps is to get rid of non-native, invasive plants. Why? The privets, nandinia, amur honeysuckle, Cherokee rose, and other invasive plants often lead to mono-cultures, lack of bio-diversity, AND they crowd out — and even actively prevent —…
Ecolodges are, as Forbes Magazine says, “having a moment”. As I excitedly read about this new travel trend, I wondered if our Nature refuge at Spirit Tree Farms could qualify as an ecolodge. To be honest, I think the answer is, sadly, no. But maybe that’s a non-sequitor, macht’s nichts, question. Even with our environmental…
As a young man, I often took walks filled with nature observation with my Grandma Bertha. These meanderings were filled with discussions about beauty, being connected, joy, harmony, and feelings. Rarely did we discuss the scientific, practical aspects of what we were enjoying, unless it was somehow connected to a larger discussion of serenity, cooperation,…
Lessons learned from Nature by sitting in a pawpaw patch and partnering with God, Jesus Christ, and Nature to become Earth’s partners.
Brain scientists have long taught that, if we document what we experience, we’ll retain more of it. Originally, that was part of the reason that we at Spirit Tree Farms issued our #FindNatureJoy challenge: To encourage us all to document — whether in word, photos, drawing, music or some other form — the joy we…
Spending weekends and summers at Lake #Winneconne, WI at my Grandma’s cottage was idyllic. We would often go on walks out in nature. It was during one of those sauntering evenings of nature observation that she taught me to “always take a moment to look back where you’ve been; enjoy the view!” The other day,…
What is late blooming thoroughwart? What are the medicinal properties of late blooming thoroughwart? And how can you preserve it to use in infusions to assist with fevers and colds? Late blooming thoroughwart (aka late boneset) is a flowering plant in the aster family which is native to North America. It was known as a…
At Spirit Tree Farms, we’re on a personal and collective mission to find peace in nature, find nature joy, be grateful to our Creator for the beauty and lessons we see every day, and to learn vital life and spiritual lessons from Mother Earth and the Divine which will help heal us, others, and the…
Folks who have native wildflower and native plant yards are often criticized by HOAs and neighbors who think yards should be meticulously-kept lawns, regularly cut and fertilized. A recent Facebook discussion in a Native Gardening group reminded me of what had happened to me in my neighborhood in Kingsgate, King County (suburb of Seattle) in…
This morning, driving down the long dirt road that leads to Spirit Tree Farms, the thought came: “What is our mission? What are Marnie and Dave Kuhns to do on the Earth?” Almost immediately, the answer came:“Use Nature observation, creativity, and partnering with the Earth to help people observe and feel joy, peace, and love….
