The words of environmental activist Wangari Maathai have stuck with me this semester, “Until you dig a hole, you plant a tree, you water it and make it survive, you haven’t done a thing. You are just talking.” After watching the documentary Taking Root about Maathai’s work empowering women and planting more than ten million trees in Kenya to combat destruction of the environment, I feel moved to see what small action steps I can take. I have the opportunity to work in a small group on a permaculture project in the Trӧllagarđur garden here at Solheimar ecovillage. Before doing research, we simply walked around and observed the plants. I noticed the fullness of the raspberry bushes and the thriving weeds in the center compass garden. Before long, ideas emerged and we started to mulch the apple trees by laying down cardboard, leaves, and pepper plants from the compost pile. With a thick cushion of material around the base, I immediately noticed a sense of brightness in the branches and leaves and an overall feeling of spaciousness.
Starting with action inspired me to investigate into permaculture because I first experienced my connection to the land and people. Our recent class on sustainable agriculture provided insight into principles like a permaculture guild where certain plants are placed together in order to help each other, such as to deter pests. I felt that I could take in the information because it held meaning for the service work I get to take part in. My education this semester extends far beyond the classroom in the greenhouse weeding as a group and looking out at the ocean feeling the wind and sunlight on my face. In these moments, I see how connected I am with every system, problem and solution. From this place within the larger web, I can take action with care and love.
Teagan Wu
