Tag: nature

Deep Cleaning (?) the Gulf Beaches–December 6 Update

Deep Cleaning (?) the Gulf Beaches–December 6 Update

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The assault of noise and clamor on the winter-quiet beach was overwhelming as I stood at the water’s edge and witnessed the ‘deep cleaning’ of a beach near Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The process involves a super-sifter machine that is fed ‘soiled’ sand, shifts the sand, spits out tar balls or any firm object and then spits out cleaner sand. The sheer number of bulldozers, monster dump trucks, front-end loaders, and track hoes was mind-boggling. Endless beeping and buzzing of machines and diesel engines grinding through sand was at the very least disturbing to the senses.

But what was more disturbing was the tar balls washing up at my feet. I looked out over the Gulf and thought of the bottom that seems to hold an endless supply of tar balls ranging in size from pin-head to fist-sized. All it will take is one winter storm over-washing the beach or a hurricane next summer to completely coat these beaches they are spending millions of dollars to clean. I shook my head in disbelief, in disgust. Once again folks are concerned with appearance, not a long-term solution to the problem.

From the beginning of this disaster, the intention was to sink the oil–to hide it. Now that the dispersant worked and much of the oil lays coating the bottom (reference the shrimper last month who brought up nets coated in oil….this guy is being ‘forced’ to pay for cleaning up the oily mess on his boat, nets, etc). Shrimpers drag the bottom to harvest shrimp so when this Bon Secour shrimper ‘struck oil’ and shrimp, it was finally proof to those of us who have suspected that the oil is coating the Gulf bottom. So why aren’t we spending the millions of dollars used in deep cleaning the beaches to get the oil off the bottom of the Gulf? Do the people making decisions to clean the beaches not realize that by next summer they will likely be coated again due to off-shore oil that will come ashore with high tides and waves that are typical of winter on the Gulf Coast?
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And at another end of the island, the sand is brown with tar balls uncovered by the strong wind blowing from the northwest. As this mighty wind slams into the point at Fort Morgan beach, the top layer of sand is blown off revealing a beach completely covered in tar balls.

After walking on the bay side and rounding the point, I witnessed workers hand-sifting sand on the Gulf side of the point. I think this is perhaps the best way to clean the beaches. It is certainly less invasive and less destructive to the coast. And it is less invasive and disturbing to wildlife. But that’s just my opinion. I tend to favor less destructive and invasive procedures, especially when it comes to environmental impact and impact on wildlife.

I don’t claim to have all the answers and I understand public officials wanting to give the appearance that deep-cleaning the beaches will make them ‘safe’ for tourists. But they are completely missing the point when it comes to long-term solutions of issues the Gulf of Mexico is facing. We need to stop using only bandaids and really work on a solution that truly removes the mess created by BP.

Clear Cut

Clear Cut

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What if you came home and found that your neighbor had clear cut beloved trees from your yard…thirteen of your friends that gave you shade, buffer from winds, and helped keep the slope above your home from eroding. One of my neighbors experienced just that this week and our neighborhood is truly sick about it.

In order to improve her view, the resident above the clearcut had a guy cut 33 trees from her view–20 of her trees and 13 of the neighbor below…going 22 feet into the other person’s property to cut trees over 38 inches in circumference. What would you do? How would you handle it?

I was called in to document through photographs and measurements this rape on our mountain. I called on a sister spirit and neighbor to go with me to visit our other neighbor who was completely devastated by this arrogant and mindless event. Thank goodness it was pouring rain while we were working as I was so angry the rain cooled my temper.

We have a convenant that clearly states that clear cutting is not allowed. We have fines in place for cutting trees over 24 inches in circumference. But this homeowner, in an effort to improve her view, cut trees that were holding an already-eroding slope. When her home slides down the mountain perhaps she will be able to put two-and-two together to realize that the covenant rules are not to make life difficult, they are to protect the slopes and homes of our neighborhood. Or maybe she’s preparing to sell the house and wanted to improve her chances of selling by improving her view. Regardless, we are heartbroken at this act of selfishness.

As I tromped through the wasteland of trees and mud I felt like I was at the Gulf Coast, reliving the emotions created by the selfish, arrogant acts of a corporation we know as BP. That same sick feeling came over me as I felt the common thread of humans that lay waste to the environment and act irresponsibly, answering to no one.

There is no clear cut way to handle something like this so I keep asking for strength and courage to face such devastation and work even harder and more diligent to educate the ignorant and encourage those who already care. Every act of violence on the planet and on our neighbors must be met with dedication to caring for the Earth and each other.

Wolf Spirit

Wolf Spirit

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The wolf approached me from behind as I sat on the ground with my cameras. He reached over my shoulder, bringing his face next to mine. I closed my eyes and he gently licked my neck.

Something shifted within me at that moment. A wild part of me was freed and I felt myself trust my own wildness, just as I trusted the wolf.

I was attending a program on wolves and was photographing them and their interactions with people. The crowd was thinning out and I was on the ground getting some really great shots of their faces. While focusing on one wolf, the other wolf became interested in me. The handler told me the wolf had been trying to reach me but I was just out of reach of his restraint. When he was able to touch me, it was evident he wanted to connect. I put my cameras aside and stroked him, while verbalizing my appreciation for his spirit.

When he reached for my neck, I surrendered in total trust. It was more than an internal shift–it was a leap toward my own nature.

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Human fear nearly wiped out the wild wolf population in our country. How sad that we project our fear onto innocents. Innocent?, you ask. There has never been any confirmed attack and killing of a human by a healthy wolf. Tales of terror have been programmed into our psyches, but wolves are almost exactly the opposite of what we’ve been told. They are social, friendly, and highly intelligent. They have a tremendous sense of family and have a strong ‘wolf’ code the family groups live by. Wolves use body language to communicate and learn at an early age to read movements, glances, and other gestures and assign great meaning to them. Wild wolves avoid humans through their sense of smell that is said to be 100 times greater than our olfactory ability. Ted Andrew’s says, “Many believe that the true test of America’s sincerity about protecting the environment will revolve around whether or not the wolf remains protected and is allowed to be reintroduced into areas of the country where it has heretofore been eliminated. The wolf is the true spirit of the free and unspoiled wilderness.”

The Nature of Respect

The Nature of Respect

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Wharf crabs
How much impact does a species have to have on you to gain your respect? Does it need to be able to read and write? Or be food for you or other humans? What defines respect? What criteria do we set to make choices about whether we act respectfully to another species or a river or ocean? Must there be a direct payoff to us for us to cultivate appreciation or respect?

Perhaps we show respect to that which we value. Can we gauge the value humans place on our planet…wild places, wildlife…by the level of respect exhibited?

If there is a direct relationship between value and respect there is much work to be done…within us all. Let it begin now.

Letting Go

Letting Go

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I realized today that I have been attached to people ‘getting’ the seriousness of the situation at the Gulf. Of understanding that all is NOT well there and the seafood is tainted with oil. I have invested a lot of energy into hoping…praying…that there would be an awakening that would positively affect not only the Gulf Coast, but the entire planet. The more I see attention-deficit mainstream media move on to other adreneline-pumping stories and leave the hard road of environmental and economic recovery of this area behind, the more stressed I become. Why? Because I have been attached to an outcome.

In my attachment, and the resulting anger that collectively people are just not getting it, I was missing the real reason for my monthly visits to the Gulf Coast–to minister to the wildlife and environment by telling the story. When I had that ‘ah-ha’ moment today, it felt like a weight lifted from my shoulders and I relaxed and refocused my attention–my INTENTION.

I let go today. I cannot force anyone to listen, pay attention, stop eating contaminated seafood, stop swimming in contaminated water or to slow down and really observe what is happening on the beaches, under the water, to the plants. By letting go I have more energy to devote to what I feel called to do: Document what I see, hear, smell, taste and feel when I am at the Gulf Coast. By telling the story, those willing to listen will have honest, truthful information.

Before the oil came ashore in Alabama, I made a promise to this Ghost Crab. After warning it to leave the beach and head for safer territory in the dunes, it helped me see that its loss of life could be a teaching–that all lives lost due to this disaster could be a teaching, a reminder, that our greed and misuse of resources is out of control. So in memory of this little teacher, I recommit to telling the story and let go of things and people I have no control over. Feels like a good step.