Changing From Being Earth Stewards to Earth Partners: A Lesson In Eco-Humility
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Changing From Being Earth Stewards to Earth Partners: A Lesson In Eco-Humility

ByNaturesGuy Dave

Amid all the discussions about alternative fuels, climate change, responsible farming, eco-tourism, biophilia, and more, global citizens are demanding that the human species be “Earth Stewards”. They say that we have a responsibility to use our wisdom, knowledge, and collective thinking to protect, shepherd, defend, and care for Mother Earth and Nature. Isn’t this arrogance,…

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Removing Invasive Plants

ByNaturesGuy Dave

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 —…

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Authentic Earth Partner: Pick Up Micro-Trash

ByNaturesGuy Dave

As an #environmentalist, #NatureLover, and #Biophiliac, I’ve become a big believer in #personalresponsibility as I try to #FindNatureJoy at Spirit Tree Farms. Several friends and relatives model that (I’m thinking Marnie, Gene L. Kuhns, Gene Kuhns, Lynn Kuhns, and others); they create Nature Zen even without thinking about it. Some time ago my daughter ripped…

Is Spirit Tree Farms An Ecolodge? No, But …

ByNaturesGuy Dave

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…

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When Nature Observation Sparks Creativity

ByNaturesGuy Dave

We teach Nature observation so you folks can hear and feel and experience God’s love and messages in Nature. As you do, we show you, by example, how to let Nature inspire your own unique creativity. Mission Statement: What We Do At Spirit Tree Farms Nature Observation Inspires Creativity One of our main objectives at…

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Share Nature Joy: Video + Challenge

ByNaturesGuy Dave

What if we share Nature joy instead of sharing complaints, politics, and “What ifs”? I’ve seen several posts recently about being too connected (and yes, the irony is not lost on me!) One of my favorites says that, because we’re watching too much HGTV, we’re dissatisfied with our homes. Because we’re engaging too much with…

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Sitting In Nature, Deep: A Verbal Riff

ByNaturesGuy Dave

At Creation Girl and my work-in-progress grape arbor on the banks of the West Chickamauga Creek at Spirit Tree Farms, I had some thoughts about sitting in nature. I’d originally sat down to rest. My intention was to connect with Nature. Immediately, I pulled out my phone to check my email, watch reels, and look…

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Remember The Spiritual Roots of Nature Observation

ByNaturesGuy Dave

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,…

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Why Document What We Experience?

ByNaturesGuy Dave

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…