LOCALadk Magazine

Rhiannon Happy spring, Editor LOCALadk 7 lieved Arbor Day was unique from any other federal or state holiday in one very important way: "It faces the future." He writes, "It is the only anniversary in which humanity looks futureward instead of pastward, in which there is a consensus of thought for those who are to come after us, instead of reflections concerning those who have gone before us." It is a day which compels us to face the consequenc- es of our actions, for better or for worse, and reminds us of the power we hold to shape what comes next. As the brilliant Barbara Kingsolver writes in her 2002 essay, "Small Wonder" – another reading I encoun- tered in American Earth – "[N]o endeavor could be more crucial at this moment. Protecting the land that once provided us with our genesis may turn out to be the only real story there is for us…Oh, how can I say this: People need wild places…Wildness puts us in our place…It reminds us why, in those cases in which our plans might influence many future generations, we ought to choose carefully." After enduring a deeply troublesome winter season amidst a pattern of troublesome seasons, we ready ourselves for spring, a time abundant with remind- ers of our profound connection to and gratitude for nature: Arbor Day and Earth Day, the spring equinox, the eclipse's path of totality, and the blossoming of flowers and green fields. Let us heed the words of Horton and Kingsolver, two names in the cacophony of voices raising the call for us to honor that relationship. I invite us all to take stock of our actions, to consider the ripples we send into our world, and to face the future. And while you're at it, consider planting a tree. We thank you, as always, for your readership and encourage you to support the wonderful and talented local businesses throughout the Adirondacks whenev- er possible. It is through their continued support that we are able to bring LOCALadk to you and yours as a free publication.

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