Vital Nature

Photo credit: Michael Barton

As 2013 looms on the horizon, we at the Friends are moved to look back over our organization’s history, to pause and reflect on the challenges and opportunities that face those of us involved in the environmental movement.

Buzzwords like climate change, species loss, ecosystem collapse, and threats to biodiversity, inspire both fear and hope. Ultimately, these terms underscore the need for unified, proactive effort among the public to preserve, conserve, protect, and sustain what remains of our planet’s wild spaces, our park lands, our backyards, and our green meeting spaces.

The Friends of Tryon Creek has proven that we have the mettle and the drive to take the necessary action. Our history – which is now our legacy – is living proof.

The Friends’ mission – to preserve and protect the land we love for future generations – is holding strong and serves as a reminder in this day and age that a united citizenry can achieve great things.  

Since its inception, the Friends have provided field trip opportunities for children to experience Tryon Creek’s forested acres in an experiential, personal way (the Friends has been providing day camp experiences for nearly as long, with the program’s founding in 1976). Over the years, program offerings have expanded to include environmental education and stewardship opportunities for people of all ages.

In 2013 and beyond, the Friends will continue to provide opportunities for people of all ages and of all backgrounds to connect with the natural world, to engage them in the wondrous experience of hearing birdsong in the forest and the whispering of the trees and the murmur of the creek. That connection with the earth is essential for the preservation of our planet and our species.