| Tree vs. Humans |This scene has become a familiar setting for the people living in my hometown, Richmond. So familiar that it seems people are desensitized towards the sadden fact that some of our human actions are slowly disturbing the nature around us. Living on earth, we are borrowing nature and we should all be giving it back in the end. But, how many of us do that? A few years back, I was an undergraduate student in the agricultural program (now known as Land & Food Systems) where students and professors collectively worked and fought hard to preserve nature - maintaining UBC Farm, sustaining local farm markets, educating others, etc. Our efforts were not always successful (i.e. the UBC Wesbrook complex that will probably slowly take over the UBC Farm lands), but at least we tried.
Born in Saskatchewan, growing up in Richmond - I have always loved and nurtured the agricultural land around me. The majority of people who newly moved into Richmond probably has no idea how beautiful it was before all the construction and expansion that has been happening over the recent years. I wish people would understand the history behind our 'city' and the land it sits on - so that they can appreciate where they are living and not take it for granted. I bet not a lot of people know that there is a Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Program in our city, or community garden sites on both the north & south ends of the island. How many of us still have a garden in their backyard?
As we share and give love to those around us this Christmas and New Years, I hope that people would also share some of that love to nature. It's a beautiful world we live in and I hope we are able to preserve and sustain it for many years to come.
Side note: I just recently watched the movie, Avatar, by James Cameron and I thought it was beautiful - there was much more to it besides the Na'vi (humanoid race) vs. humans on a planet called Pandora - it takes you back to see nature differently, the simplicity of life, and the energy surrounding us. I also read a comment by James Cameron about his movie and I thought it was meaningful (especially, if you've watched the film): "One of the themes of the film is symbolised by the fact that it begins and ends with the main character's eyes opening - it's about a change of perception, and about choices that are made once our perceptions change".
Born in Saskatchewan, growing up in Richmond - I have always loved and nurtured the agricultural land around me. The majority of people who newly moved into Richmond probably has no idea how beautiful it was before all the construction and expansion that has been happening over the recent years. I wish people would understand the history behind our 'city' and the land it sits on - so that they can appreciate where they are living and not take it for granted. I bet not a lot of people know that there is a Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Program in our city, or community garden sites on both the north & south ends of the island. How many of us still have a garden in their backyard?
As we share and give love to those around us this Christmas and New Years, I hope that people would also share some of that love to nature. It's a beautiful world we live in and I hope we are able to preserve and sustain it for many years to come.
Side note: I just recently watched the movie, Avatar, by James Cameron and I thought it was beautiful - there was much more to it besides the Na'vi (humanoid race) vs. humans on a planet called Pandora - it takes you back to see nature differently, the simplicity of life, and the energy surrounding us. I also read a comment by James Cameron about his movie and I thought it was meaningful (especially, if you've watched the film): "One of the themes of the film is symbolised by the fact that it begins and ends with the main character's eyes opening - it's about a change of perception, and about choices that are made once our perceptions change".
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