I've been fighting a cold for the last few weeks and haven't spent anytime in the water surfing. In my spare time out of the water I've been staying healthy by searching the internet for inspiration for my next "Eat Your Vegetables" article.
When I was a kid I didn't like to eat my vegetables. At the time I didn't see a need for them. I used to joke to my mom that I would catch up on eating all my vegetables at our next Thanksgiving dinner which of course was months away. I understand now that my mom wanted me to be healthy and vegetables are good for me. This segment is about eating your vegetables, well mentally. The vegetables that I'll be dishing out to you are for your own good. It's a dose of getting exposed to something that might be new to most of you, even outside of the usual surf culture. It's ok if you don't like it, but like my mom said,"at least give it a try before next Thanksgiving."
I read this Blog by Wood Brain by Lindsay Zuelich called Donating Trees = Trees for the Future. Lindsay makes things out of reclaimed wood and is working on donating 10,000 trees to Trees for the Future within the next five years. Pretty awesome goal if you ask me. This is her article:
"Since 1989, Trees for the Future has been helping communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and our country programs, we have empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands. Planting trees protects the environment and helps to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations.” Trees for the Future-
treesftf·Uploaded on Nov 30, 2006
(http://www.plant-trees.org) This 8 minute video documents the work of Dave Deppner and Trees for the Future. Communities around the world turn to Trees for the Future for technical knowledge and planting materials so that they can bring degraded lands and struggling farmlands back to sustainable productivity. Since 1988, Trees for the Future (TFTF) has helped thousands of communities in Central America, Africa, and Asia improve their livelihoods and their environment by planting nearly 50 million trees in agroforestry and reforestation projects. Each year these trees remove over one million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere.
Trees = Wood
Wood = Wood Brain
Wood has always been my go-to medium for art, as well as furniture and custom projects. You could say I always have wood on the brain and that's why I named my business 'Wood Brain'. Pretty much all the wood I use is reclaimed wood that I personally find and collect. I make wood planters from driftwood that I collect from many hikes down to the local coastlines. On any given trip I collect around 50LBS of driftwood. I also make wood jewelry from broken branches, which I cut into more refined pieces of wood, as well as scrap woods from past projects. I never let any piece of wood go to waste, even down to the sawdust, which I also incorporate into my jewelry.
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Pieces can be found here
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Wood Brain = Donating Trees
I really wanted to to find a way to give back to the trees that have helped me become successful. I decided to help plant more trees so that more people across the world could enjoy their benefits and beauty so I did some research and found Trees for the Future. I like what they had to say about planting trees:
'Why plant trees? Because they change lives. They provide food, forage for animals, and wood for fuel and construction. They increase agricultural yields, improve water infiltration and aquifer recharge, and protect soils from wind and water erosion.'
Sounds good to me! 10 cents will get one tree planted through Trees for the Future.They have already planted 50 million trees and they are still counting. They need our support to plant trees and change lives. With just $25.00 I helped plant 250 trees and that is a good start. I'm now setting aside a portion of my annual sales to donate to Trees for the Future. I'm working my way up to donating 10,000 trees within the next five years!
Donating Trees = Trees For The Future
If you want to help it's easy. Trees for the Future gratefully accepts donations to support their tree planting programs (minimum donation $5). Ten cents plants a tree - $25 will plant 250 trees, $100 will plant 1,000 trees...and so on! Plus you will receive a receipt for your tax-deductible contribution. It only take about three minutes, trust me I know- I donated.
For those of you who are not completely sold on donating that's ok. All I can do is plant the seed that trees are good for everyone, including you. Here are 22 of the best reasons to plant and care for trees or defend a tree’s standing (from Tree People):
Trees combat the greenhouse effect
Global warming is the result of excess greenhouse gases, created by burning fossil fuels and destroying tropical rainforests. Heat from the sun, reflected back from the earth, is trapped in this thickening layer of gases, causing global temperatures to rise. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a major greenhouse gas. Trees absorb CO2, removing and storing the carbon while releasing the oxygen back into the air. In one year, an acre of mature trees absorbs the amount of CO2 produced when you drive your car 26,000 miles.
Trees clean the air
Trees absorb odors and pollutant gases (nitrogen oxides, ammonia, sulfur dioxide and ozone) and filter particulates out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Trees provide oxygen
In one year an acre of mature trees can provide enough oxygen for 18 people.
Trees cool the streets and the city
Average temperatures in Los Angeles have risen 6°F in the last 50 years as tree coverage has declined and the number of heat-absorbing roads and buildings has increased.
Trees cool the city by up to 10°F, by shading our homes and streets, breaking up urban “heat islands” and releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves.
Trees conserve energy
Three trees placed strategically around a single-family home can cut summer air conditioning needs by up to 50 percent. By reducing the energy demand for cooling our houses, we reduce carbon dioxide and other pollution emissions from power plants.
Trees save water
Shade from trees slows water evaporation from thirsty lawns. Most newly planted trees need only fifteen gallons of water a week. As trees transpire, they increase atmospheric moisture.
Trees help prevent water pollution
Trees reduce runoff by breaking rainfall thus allowing the water to flow down the trunk and into the earth below the tree. This prevents stormwater from carrying pollutants to the ocean. When mulched, trees act like a sponge that filters this water naturally and uses it to recharge groundwater supplies.
Trees help prevent soil erosion
On hillsides or stream slopes, trees slow runoff and hold soil in place.
Trees shield children from ultra-violet rays
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Trees reduce UV-B exposure by about 50 percent, thus providing protection to children on school campuses and playgrounds - where children spend hours outdoors.
Trees provide food
An apple tree can yield up to 15-20 bushels of fruit per year and can be planted on the tiniest urban lot. Aside from fruit for humans, trees provide food for birds and wildlife.
Trees heal
Studies have shown that patients with views of trees out their windows heal faster and with less complications. Children with ADHD show fewer symptoms when they have access to nature. Exposure to trees and nature aids concentration by reducing mental fatigue.
Trees reduce violence
Neighborhoods and homes that are barren have shown to have a greater incidence of violence in and out of the home than their greener counterparts. Trees and landscaping help to reduce the level of fear.
Trees mark the seasons
Is it winter, spring, summer or fall? Look at the trees.
Trees create economic opportunities
Fruit harvested from community orchards can be sold, thus providing income. Small business opportunities in green waste management and landscaping arise when cities value mulching and its water-saving qualities. Vocational training for youth interested in green jobs is also a great way to develop economic opportunities from trees.
Trees are teachers and playmates
Whether as houses for children or creative and spiritual inspiration for adults, trees have provided the space for human retreat throughout the ages.
Trees bring diverse groups of people together
Tree plantings provide an opportunity for community involvement and empowerment that improves the quality of life in our neighborhoods. All cultures, ages, and genders have an important role to play at a tree planting or tree care event.
Trees add unity
Trees as landmarks can give a neighborhood a new identity and encourage civic pride.
Trees provide a canopy and habitat for wildlife
Sycamore and oak are among the many urban species that provide excellent urban homes for birds, bees, possums and squirrels.
Trees block things
Trees can mask concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare.
Trees provide wood
In suburban and rural areas, trees can be selectively harvested for fuel and craft wood.
Trees increase property values
The beauty of a well-planted property and its surrounding street and neighborhood can raise property values by as much as 15 percent.
Trees increase business traffic
Studies show that the more trees and landscaping a business district has, the more business will flow in. A tree-lined street will also slow traffic – enough to allow the drivers to look at the store fronts instead of whizzing by.
Sincerely,
Wood Brain by Lindsay Zuelich
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