An Activist Walk

Shodo Spring 

SHODO SPRING is a grandmother, practitioner of Buddhism, and an environmental activist. She says, "While in a winter-long monastic retreat, I received a vision of walking along the [Keystone XL] pipeline with a group of people. The vision persisted and I accepted it as my major assignment for this lifetime."

Then the plan developed. Shodo got together a group of walkers with the idea of making a three-month walk along the planned route of the Keystone XL pipeline in the summer of 2013. The Harvest Collective provided assistance by renting a bus to get walkers to the starting point in Hardesty, Alberta, Canada, where they joined the 4th Annual Tar Sands Healing Walk. THE HARVEST COLLECTIVE also helped with organizing and managing accounts.



Then the COMPASSIONATE EARTH WALK began on July 8. Walking was done in shifts, 10 miles in length, sometimes in sweltering heat, then in the cold, they continued their trek. Some thirty-six people participate, some walking just one leg, others the entire three months. There were also various supporters along the way, including those who offered their homes for a night. On the walk went - through the Great Plains and finally ending up in Steele City, Nebraska on October 8.

The spiritual aspect of the trip put people in touch with the natural earth, seen in its glory without the greed of exploitation. Of course, when a person walks such a distance, it can also be framed in the pain, muscle aches, blisters, and other aspects of being human. But there were also the beautiful vistas, the fields, the flowers, the sounds of insects at work, the croak of frogs, that you can only experience when you slow down for a walk, instead of rushing through it in a car with the music turned up, the air conditioning blasting, and the windows rolled up.

But did this walk have any effect on plans to build the pipeline? I suppose no one really knows. So far, there is no pipeline running down into the US. The piece that is built is only Canada's. The future of the pipeline here in the US is still in limbo, with a slant towards "no" every day that it isn't built. Given the political climate, though, it's still a possibility, especially with the turn Congress will take after the inauguration of new members.

Shodo Spring leading Compassionate Earth Walk hikers.

Thanks to this article on The Harvest Collective by Shodo Spring: http://theharvestcollective.org/compassionate-earth-walk/, and this article from the Pollination Project: http://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/shodo-spring-compassionate-earth-walk/.

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No More Home

William Berkshire's burnt-out camper-home.

Rob Hentschell met William Berkshire, also known as Mountain Man, when William drove into the parking lot at the Traverse City GENERAL STORE, where he is manager. William needed a place to park his camper and Rob was happy to accommodate.

But one night in February, William's camper caught fire from his wood-burning stove and the fire consumed everything he owned. Rob turned to his wife and mentioned the camper that was sitting in their driveway unused - and that was when a plan got launched. Rob contributed the camper to help William start over again. As Rob said at the time, "I had something I could live without, and he needed a place."



Well, that act of generosity sparked others to action. A local sanitation company jumped in and offered a dumpster to help clean up the wreckage from the fire. Rob decided to post a picture of William's burned-out trailer on the Roy's General Store facebook page and requested donations of other items that William needed to make his home and life more comfortable.

Then, the people of Traverse City stepped up. In came clothes, bedding, blankets, boxed and canned foods, along with grocery items. They all showed the compassion of the residents of this little city. After all, nearly 500 hundred people stepped up to help.

As for William Berkshire, he couldn't believe his good fortune. As he kept saying, "Nobody has ever done such a nice thing for me before." Doesn't that just make you want to pack up and join the good people of Traverse City?

Thanks to this article by NationSwell: http://nationswell.com/william-berkshire-trailer-fire-rob-hentschel-roys-general-store/.

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Standing Up For Animal Rights

Thomas Ponce with his advocacy website on screen.

At the age of 13, young Thomas Ponce may be one of the youngest lobbyists around. He doesn't have the same funding as corporate lobbyists, but he makes up for that in passion. Thomas has been an animal advocate since he was 5 years old and a vegetarian/vegan since age 4.

About a year ago, he started LOBBY FOR ANIMALS, with the assistance of animal rights attorney, Jessica Astrof. The website is designed to be educational, with materials regarding the various issues involved in protecting animals. There are even videos on his site about how laws are made and how to track bills through their legislative bodies.



Seriously, Thomas' coverage about the lobbying process at different levels of government is quite impressive and would be instructive for both adults and children. The viewer has the sense that this is a bright and intelligent young man, who could have greater political involvement as he gets older. As a matter of fact, Thomas is a gifted student at South Seminole Middle School. He readily shares his belief  "in speaking out against cruelty, to all living beings, as well as speaking out on the damage that is being done to our environment." Proud mom Kim Ponce says, "I've learned so much from him. He's my son. I'll support anything he wants to do."

Thomas' latest educational endeavor is taking an online course in psychology. He also has been utilizing his own GOFUNDME PAGE page to raise funds for such things as a computer, which is essential for him to continue his education. He is also saving to join the Page Program with the House of Representatives. With all of his experience, he should be a welcome addition to the halls of Congress, in whatever capacity he wishes to serve. He's a truly outstanding young teen and an asset everywhere he goes!

Thomas Ponce using his advocacy skills at a SeaWorld protest.

Thanks to information from this article: http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-05-07/news/os-lobby-for-animals-grant-ponce-20130422_1_animal-rights-baby-shark-animal-abuse.

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What A Tip!

Cindi's battered and bruised car.

She's a waitress at the CRACKER BARRE;L in Branson, Missouri, and she's been getting back and forth to work with a car that has seen better days. You know the type, battered and bruised, held together with duct tape, a clothing belt, some plastic where the window had been, and running through sheer force of will. That car definitely showed signs of its several encounters with local deer - and they can do quite a bit of damage when they make contact with a car.

For Cindi Grady, the owner of the dilapidated car, Christmas was looking bleak, indeed. She really couldn't afford a Christmas tree this year, had a few dollars for presents for her disabled son, so replacing her car wasn't likely to be happening in the near future. As she said, "I was into a spot where I was, I dunno depressed, of course driving that car there, it's like just feeling like nobody cares you know."



So, right before Christmas, Gary and Roxanne Tackett, from Quitman, Arkansas, came by the restaurant again and left a $20 tip - and also just a bit of hope in Cindi's heart. But the couple had something else in mind, too. They had seen the battered car that Cindi drives and even thought it had been abandoned in the parking lot.

So, a plan started hatching. Gary discussed the situation with his wife and thought something should be done. When they returned to the restaurant, they had even more than the $20 tip that they left on Cindi's table. After making arrangements with Cindi's boss, it was time for the unveiling.

Cindi then walked out into the parking lot and spotted the car, a 2008 Ford Fusion that the Tacketts had purchased just for Cindi. The couple ceremoniously turned over the ownership papers and keys to the vehicle and Cindi had her new ride.

"It restored my faith in humanity. And everyone I talked to says the same thing," Cindi says. "There are good people in this world that are watching, that care, you know? And you may not even know them." As for the Tacketts, they weren't in it for any publicity, they just did what they did because they could.

Thanks to this report from WPTV, Palm Beach: http://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/water-cooler/cracker-barrel-waitress-gets-tip-of-a-lifetime-couple-gives-cindy-grady-a-car.

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In Sync With Nature

Leah Lamb swimming with the whales.

It's an online video site with short videos related to nature, the relationship of human beings with nature. It's an antidote to those sites that recount the bad things humans do to despoil the natural world. The videos can come from anywhere and anyone, as long as they tell the story that this site wants to transmit, in a Youtube friendly medium.

And so, when you first happen upon the MY PLANET WEBSITE, there is the introductory video about a positive human connection with, and the healing power of, whales. Most of the site is a call to participation, an interaction in the real world. There are stories to be told, films to be made, the way nature has remade people's lives.



If you choose participation, the options are The Executive Producers Club, which gives you all of the information you need to raise funds for one of the stories - and you can join the team that does the filming out in the field. If you choose Cheerleader/Silent Partner, all that you need to do is gift this program with a monetary contribution; you don't go out into the field to participate.

The blog, which was last updated in 2013, discusses the progress in creating the films and gives some ideas about how to participate in nature on your own terms. There are also listings of national and regional outdoor organizations under "Go Play" that give you a way to participate in the outdoor world.

Leah Lamb, founder of My Planet.

The leadership of this organization is provided by LEAH LAMB, whose background includes work for several media organizations that focus on the natural world. She has even had experience in the social work field and had an encounter with cancer, and utilized her connection with the natural world to help herself heal. Ms. Lamb maintains her own website, in which she connects with the various projects in which she is engaged.

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Reuniting Soldiers With Beloved Dogs

Pen Farthing with two stray dogs.

Sergeant Pen Farthing served in Afghanistan in 2006 with the British Royal Marines. He made friends with one of the dogs who had been part of a dog fighting ring which staged an event outside their compound and which they also broke up. He named that dog Nowzad after the town where they were stationed.

By 2007, Sgt Farthing started NOWZAD DOGS, the only animal shelter within Afghanistan. Part of the mission of this shelter is to reunite animals befriended by members of the military with their person after that person returns home. But the shelter also supports stray animals around Kabul, providing rabies vaccines and spay/neuter services.



Currently, this shelter has reunited more than 700 soldiers with their cat or dog companion. Nowzad Dogs can accommodate about 100 stray dogs in its facility, along with more than 30 former street cats. Most of the daily care for the animals is provided by Afghan natives.

In addition, the Conrad Lewis Clinic for small animals operates with four Afghan natives who have completed vet training. They can even perform needed major surgeries.

Upon being selected as CNN's Hero of the Year, Pen Farthing said, "Wow, I am absolutely at a loss for words. This is absolutely amazing. I would really like to thank everybody who voted for the Nowzad charity and what we do in Afghanistan and believing in us."

Pen Farthing is repairing one of the dog enclosures.

Thanks to this article from CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/18/world/2014-cnn-hero-of-the-year-pen-farthing/index.html?hpt=hp_c2 and this one from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/08/cnn-hero-of-the-year-reun_n_6288518.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000054.

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Farming Cooperative For Teens

It started out as a call to action by Rev. Marjani Dele; a search for groups of teens wanting to learn about permaculture, nutrition, and the operation of cooperatives. In the heart of DC. "It" was a call to participate in an 8-hour training program, focused on the care and raising of sunflowers, in order to market the product - sunflower seeds - as a nutritional snack food.



On March 9, 2013, four groups attended the orientation of what was now the Nature's Friends Sunflower Field School - The GlennCrest Community/Make A Difference House Youth Ambassadors; Sasha Bruce House And Beet Street Gardens' Youth Garden Stewards/YOLO Pies; and the Fairfax Village Community Garden.

Groups were introduced to the open sharing model with the youth who were participating, along with the information they needed for growing the sunflowers, creating opportunities for leadership, becoming environmental stewards, job skill training, and other topics. The groups were then able to turn their knowledge into individual projects.

YOLO/Beet Street turned its knowledge into a terraced perennial garden, with separate plots for sunflowers and melons.

Some of GlennCrest's Teen Ambassadors with packets of different types of sunflower seeds at their garden site.

Also, a connection to NATURE'S FRIENDS SUNFLOWER FIELD SCHOOL VIDEO to see the program in action.

Thanks to these articles from COOP DC: http://coopdc.org/2012/11/26/teen-farming-cooperative/ and http://coopdc.org/2013/03/24/update-on-natures-friends-sunflower-field-school-teen-farming-cooperative/.

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