Earth’s Gifts: Food, Air, Water
“There Are Nothing but Gifts on this Poor, Poor Earth ”
-Czesław Miłosz
Earth Warriors learned about the many gifts Earth provides for us. In our busy lives, we don’t often take time to appreciate where our food, air, and water come from. If these things are easily accessible to us, we often take them for granted.
In the early days of Earth Warriors Camp, campers learned where food comes from. There are no granola bar trees or apple factories. All our food comes from earth in some way (even gummy bears have sugar, grown from sugar cane). We learned about the resources and energy needed to provide the food on our grocery store shelves. We thought about how eating local food reduces the amount of energy needed to get it to us. We understood that for food to grow, Earth needs rich clean soil, an adequate supply (but not too much) of clean water, and the right amount of sunlight and warmth.
For the rest of camp, as we looked at our snacks we would call out, “Who needs to thank a wheat farmer?” “Thank you, apple famers!” etc. One day a camper brought strawberries from a local farm to share with us. We all enjoyed the juicy sweetness as we thanked Mother Earth and the local farmer for providing this natural treat.
During the first week of camp, we had the privilege of touring one of our local Edible Forests with Backyard Abundance. Mandy carefully showed us the plants and explained the food each would produce. She talked about what the plants needed in order to grow and thrive. Early in the summer, the vegetables were just beginning to grow. But we were able to pick and taste cherries and gooseberries. We smelled lemon balm and learned about the herbs that help flavor our food or make tea. We gave back to the garden by planting some basil. Every week upon our return to the garden, we picked what was ready and watched as more plants grew. We munched on kale and berries, and waited as the peaches grew and ripened. Near the Edible Forest was a plot dedicated to community gardens. These spaces are rented by members of the community to grow their own food. We watched the gardeners plant, water, and tend their land. Early on, the plants were just sprouts. By the end of summer, corn was taller than us and we could barely see the gardeners amongst all the growth.
In addition to learning about our food, we continuously thanked the trees for the clean air they provide. While on our hikes in the forest, we would look up, take a deep breath, and say, “Thank you trees!” When we were hot and thirsty, we said thank you to Mother Earth for the water in our water bottles. And on a few hot days, campers jumped and splashed together at our local splash pad—understanding that by sharing this cool water rather than individually setting up sprinklers in their own yards, they were conserving.
By understanding, appreciating, and connecting to Earth’s gifts we are better able to understand the importance of a healthy planet. We rely on Earth for the very things that keep us alive. If Earth is not healthy, how can we be?
