Enhance Your Environment

Celebrate Rain - It's Anything But Lonely!

It's raining in Chicago at the moment.  As a landscape architect in the Green Industry, this is a celebration to the end of a day of planting.  This should also be a celebration - and likely is - for just about anyone.  Rain nourishes, replenishes, and rejuvenates the environment which sustains us.  I always find it interesting that rain is a common metaphor for the opposite of celebration - for sorrow, regret, and lost love.  Remember the lyrics from Jackie Wilson's classic, Lonely Teardrops - ...   My Heart Is cryin', cryin - Lonely Teardrops (fallin' like rain) - My pillows never dry off - Lonely Teardrops."

Somehow I feel Jackie may have been at least celebrating his feelings for someone special - hoping to transform his feelings into a hope and a dream.  Someday we may too be 'cryin, cryin' if we don't begin to "celebrate" - that is, if we don't protect and preserve our natural resources - and water should surely be near the top of the list.  Water should also be a metaphor for good health and vitality.  Water sustains us - as the human body is nearly 2/3 water - depending upon your age.  We are a mirror of our larger environment, which itself is over 2/3 water - interesting and ironic, isn't it - and thankfully a reality! 

There are not too many things more enjoyable than the fresh, captivating air that accompanies an evening rainstorm.  And the morning often brings the bright sunshine that transforms this resource into the life of flora and fauna.  O.K., maybe I am 'fawning' a bit here - though I hope I'm reminding you and me of how our natural environment enhances the quality of life we all enjoy.  Let it rain. Yes, life is full of ups and downs - but there are more ups if we all appreciate what we have and enjoy ever moment - rain or shine!

It's All Green To Me

A friend of mine has asked me on several occasions what it means to be green. He knows I'm part of the 'green industry' and that I speak professionally to 'green' associations and to organizations that are interested in learning more about being green. It seems you can't turn the corner today without some mention of the environment, which is one connotation of green - and rightfully so.  No doubt green means something to just about everybody. Some take it literally - green pastures, getting the golf ball on the green, etc..  Others recognize that the color green signifies life, the abundance of nature, or even the Irish.  I'm going to let that one go, because while I am 50% Irish by birth - I don't care much for "The Irish" --  my true loyalty lies with the Scarlet and Gray -- The Ohio State Buckeyes -- and on occasion the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers.  Am I 'turning red?'   Let's move on.

What does this have to do with green?  There is a connection.  Everything is connected. You see - green is the most predominant color - and therefore - energy - in the universe (check your physics).  You could say there is a green 'thread' that connects all of us - an energy that we all share.  Does this sound too 'woo-woo?'   If you spend any time in nature at all you know it energizes you - it gives you creative thoughts - it nourishes you.  I just can't believe this is an accidental thing.  We ARE creatures of nature and when we become more aware of that we realize green is about awareness.  It's about who we are, what we do during our short time on this planet, and why we are doing it.  Green is the awareness that we have a responsibility to ourselves and everyone that is connected to us, which is why the current green movement to save the planet makes perfect sense. 

If you aren't buying -- try this -- maybe you like the thought of spending your green!  Oh, now there is a concept that connects most of us!  Money is a good thing, isn't it.  It enables us to accomplish what we want, and hopefully that includes taking the high road and helping others - which of course makes another connection.  These connections are unavoidable - which is why it's all green to me.

Get Fired Up About Your Environment!

Years ago it was considered a symbol of success to be fully employed.  This meant there was a steady paycheck that provided the resources with which to enhance your lifestyle - whether for taking a vacation or investing  in your home or landscape.  The word fired or laid-off had an extremely negative connotation.  Today it's a punchline - thanks in part to Donald Trump.  Being fired isn't a big deal today?  Why is that?

The reason is there is so much wealth today -- such an abundance of resources of virtually every kind, such that being without work is just a minor inconvenience -- even if it lasts for months.  We have so much abundance today that it's a challenge to really appreciate everything.  Now too much work is not only not appreciated - it's described with a new word - stressful! 

This brings me to your environment.  In many cases you probably take it for granted too.  Fresh air, the cool shade of a beautiful tree, the glorious color of summer flowers - these are all things to celebrate.  This appreciation and celebration redefines your environment.  It makes it better because you are part of it.  It comes alive!  You really can change your environment by infusing it with your attention, energy, enthusiasm and appreciation.  Bring your attention to your environment and it will continue to reward you with countless benefits - like, well...hmmm.... like a steady paycheck:).

What Does it Mean to be Green?

Now that being green has become a hot trend - a trend I hope continues to develop for its own sake -  we should start considering what 'green' means to each of us.  Some take green literally.  They consider green to be beautiful, lush turf,  while others strongly oppose any artificially maintained environment, which of course includes lawns of all kinds.  They consider meadows and prairies to be the pinnacle of 'green.'  I admire and respect all natural spaces.  And since I'm in the business of delivering natural environments to clients, I have to fulfill many different needs and desires while also honoring my personal values and those of everyone here at Treemendous Landscape Company®.  Hmm...what am I thinking?  I'm thinking that like so many other issues that involve all of us dwellers of this planet, we're going to have to strike a balance in our earthly activities.  We're going to have to agree and probably also agree to disagree.

The truth is this discussion is healthy because now we are focused on taking action.  If we can determine the right reasons for having a lawn or a meadow or for harvesting rainwater, then the right actions will naturally follow - and the result will be a healthier environment for all of us.  It may not be perfection, but it wil be progress - progress toward a greener planet - which to me means a planet that supports a healthier and therefore happier quality of life!

Your Plants Know What's Right

A client recently asked me why her Rhododendrons didn't bloom this Spring.  The answer to her question is quite simple and logical if you understand nature.  There is an Intelligence to Nature that always results in the right action.  Plants inherently adjust to changes in their environment.  In this situation, the Rhodos did not bloom for a reason.  We can debate those reasons specifically; however, given the understanding that pushing out a Spring blossom takes a tremendous amount of energy, we come to a logical conclusion.

When a plant flowers the energy required is substantial - not unlike blowing up a balloon.  My client's Rhodos adjusted to conserve that energy - of which they have a limited supply stored from the photosynthesis process of the previous season.  The natural Intelligence kicks in to sustain the vitality of the plant for the demands of the oncoming growing season.  If you are fully aware, don't you forgo strenuous activity when you are aware of oncoming obligations and responsibilities?  It's the same here.  Most of us occasionally override these natural impulses.  The result is fatigue and somtimes illness.  Your plants are conditioned to do the right thing.  They understand that sometimes you must forego 'the party' to show up to work on time and perform to your responsibilities.  The right way works - and your plants - Nature - give you clues to right actions.  People complain about stress because they fight the natural course of events.  Tune into nature and you'll minimize the stress in your life and make more of the right choices!

Vastu for Balancing Your Environment

Years ago I began my study of the discipline of Feng Shui at the encouragement of one of my clients.  Back then I hadn't even heard of Feng Shui, while today many of our clients at Treemendous request Feng Shui for their homes and their outdoor environments.  True Feng Shui requires calculations - which doesn't happen to be one of my skillsets.  I am intuitively connected with nature and resist things like calculations to help me work with and understand it.  This is one reason I have learned to also apply Vastu as an adjunct to Feng Shui when working to balance a space or enivronment. 

What is Vastu?  It is a very similar to Feng Shui and originated in what is present day India; whereas Feng Shui comes from China.  However, Vastu is more intuitive in that it follows patterns many of us understand.  The sun rises in the east and this orientation is where we look to for enlightenment - or in today's society - it's the direction you want to face when you are doing creative work such as writing.  Guess which direction I'm facing right now? 

The sun sets in the west and that is where you naturally adjust your activities toward the end of the day.  We all love to watch the setting sun in the west.   This activity grounds us.  And, if you are developing your landscape, you'll want to enhance the earthy qualities of the western portion of your property by 'weighting' or grounding it with soil, organic gardens, or articles such as clay planters.  These treatments anchor the space and those that use it.  They also serve to help retain the creative energy that flows from the east.  However you approach the balancing of your environment, it's interesting to discover that when properly applied, both Feng Shui and Vastu deliver similar results.  This only proves that these systems are both valid as much today as they were thousands of years ago.   

Enjoyment of Green - Not Soylent Green!

Scientists are beginning to come to grips with the dramatic changes we are experiencing in our environment.  Just yesterday we marked a record high of 79 degrees in Chicago - in March!.  It was actually quite warm at a time when we are used to getting that last big snowfall.  In fact, we've been known to experience snow in April and May in the windy city.  But not to worry -- scientists are now running computer models to simulate the changes being observed to predict "future climates."  Just a  few weeks ago, they weren't certain that global warming was a reality.  Now they've come to the conclusion that "some weather patterns may disappear entirely."  Oops!  Did we do that, we'll be asking ourselves in a few years?  Is it possible we could overrun this environment to the point where a present- day Soylent Green becomes plausible?  While I don't want to go there, it is a thought that came to mind.  Of course, I'm only referring to the mismanagement of our environment, not the infamous food substance mentioned in the last line of the movie!

The interesting thing is that the disappearance of specific climates and environments won't leave an empty hole, but will create new environments.  What will they be?  Will they provide the enjoyment we now derive from nature.  The spin I'm beginning to see is along the lines of "we had too much ice in Siberia anyway."  I guess now we can look forward to beaches and waterfront developments in these areas?  Let's hope we don't have to go there either.  Let's hope we appreciate the balance that Nature provides us with and seek to preserve that in whatever ways we can.  Plant a tree.  Take a walk instead of driving.  Most importantly, get out there and enjoy nature now!  Someday you might have to tell your grandchildren what it was like.

More Intelligence of Nature

Bird species in the USA are ranging and staying the winter hundreds of miles north of their normal habatat, according to a recent article in USA Today.  Experts conclude this is a "possible sign of adaptation to global warming.  Of course, in our exacting world, this remains to be proven - just as we've yet to prove smoking causes cancer.   The experts further comment, "We won't know for certain until we have another twenty years of data."  I'm speechless!  Which is hardly a good thing when you are blogging:). Who are these 'experts?'

Similar evidence is being noted with native plants being found hundreds of miles north of their usual climate zones.  Why do we have to agonize over data before taking remedial measures?  Plants and animals adapt - it is a natural and expected product of their behavior.  We respond to influences in our environment.  Of course, there is a name for not responding favorably to changes in your environment.  It's called stress.  Stress is a choice.  Living in an unsuitable environment is stressful and  plants and animals will respond accordingly, thereby avoiding the stress.  Hmm.... even more lessons from the animal kingdom.  What's going to be really interesting is when the many forces of nature collide.  What happens when a Sandhill Crane shows up in your backyard in Chicago?  That will certainly freak out your Golden Retriever!

The truth is we need to start studying the behavior of living creatures as their actions - their habits and behaviors -- tell us a great deal about our environment.  It's the same as the behavior of customers in the marketplace - they tell you a lot about the 'environment' of products and services in that environment.  For some reason the need for imperical evidence is blinding us to dramatic changes taking place right in front of us.  And all we have to do is tune into the Intelligence of Nature - respecting it - learning from it - and most of all, appreciating it while we still have the opportunity.  Come to think of it, that might even help to save it.

Carbon Offsets - Convenient Truth?

I've always contended that when you do the right thing for your environment, everybody wins.  Yet, now we are creating a market in which 'green credits' are being becoming an interesting currency for social responsibility.  These green credits are called 'carbon offsets.'  You can think of them as energy units -- sort of like calories.  Corporations that deplete the carbon in our environment, such as airlines, offer green-minded consumers of their services the option to donate a few extra dollars to "offset" the damage caused to the environment by their air travel.  These funds go to organizations that then invest the money in green projects such as wind farms, solar energy, or tree planting projects. 

On the surface, this seems to be a good thing - and certainly it's better than nothing at all.  However, one of my concerns are recommendations from those such as The Tufts University Climate Initiative that suggest we "pass on forestry projects because trees aren't reliable absorbers of carbon."  While I can appreciate the measurable, short-term benefits of wind and solar power - which in fact is what I worked on in my graduate work - I hardly can believe that we are going to ignore the benefits of the natural environment which supports us in ways we may not even fully comprehend.

It appears that once again some will choose to ignore the intelligence of nature.  Artificial green solutions aren't going to work any more than that diet coke is going to "offset" the double cheeseburger you had for lunch.  Health is natural and wholisitic and that means getting back to the basics of what worked in the first place.  I begin to envision a world in which we will consider synthetic air and water because we can create it more efficiently than nature herself.  In a time where even traditional hospitals are embracing alternative medicine that has been available to us for centuries, maybe we should consider there is something to recreating the natural environment - to the best of our abilities and our present day society - and recognizing that what we were given in the first place was not just a prototype, but the real thing.  At Treemendous Landscape Company®, we're going to keep planting trees - because they do much more than just trap carbon.  They might even make you smile one hot summer day when you relax in the shade.  Now that's a very convenient truth!

Zero Sum Environment

Why is there so much interest in previously mentioned utility concern TXU?  Why are private-equity firms racing to snatch them up in a leveraged buyout?  They are making money - and plenty of it!  I'm not an expert in regulatory affairs, just the environment.  Yet, as a small business owner who is continuously challenged with eliminating waste to generate greater value for my customers and a reasonable profit,  I'm especially interested in TXU's fat 25% net margin.  How is this possible for an organization that presumably is operating within the constraints of regulators?

Well, it's very simple.  This is only a snapshot in time of the true picture.  You see, there is an Intelligence to Nature - everything balances over time - it's a zero sum game.  The true margins for a concern that pushes out millions of tons of pollutants annually won't be fully realized by our society for some time.  The reason is the opportunity cost of cleaning up our environment will be incurred by future generations and likely won't be traced back to TXU's ledgers.  Case closed, right?

I hope not.  After watching the Oscars last night it's evident there is at least a small movement that will over time generate the awareness necessary to strike a balance between the needs of humanity and the environment which sustains us.  In fact, TXU has even agreed to table plans for eight new coal plants in order to appease environmentalists so they might surmount regulatory hurdles.  Sometimes selfish needs serve a purpose for the betterment of the greater whole.  Hey, sometimes you have to take whatever progress you can get.  Let's take this small victory and run with it.