Director’s Desk

By: Breanna Wheeler, Executive Director

This year, coronavirus and the events that have occurred following the murder of George Floyd have marked a turning point in human history. This time demands that we do not retreat into our individual, busy lives and workplaces, that we face our world that has work to do to address injustice and inequity faced by people of color, people who are poor, homeless, ill, older and/or have disabilities.

We can look to the natural world to see that diversity is important and makes life richer. Having more species present and healthy in a prairie, woodland, or in the water helps to sustain life. We have learned through Dutch elm disease and emerald ash borer why it’s important not to plant just one type of tree on boulevards of city streets. In natural settings, seeing invasive species like buckthorn take over an entire area and crowd out the ability for any other plant to grow means less or no habitat for other plants, insects, birds, and mammals and can make it impossible for anything else to survive.

By studying and learning about and how to appreciate the natural world, and seeing the parallels and examples nature has with our humanity (as we are part of nature after all), we are better able to heal and ready ourselves for hard work ahead. River Bend Nature Center provides this value to the community and over time: it brings people from many walks of life together and has the potential to help us understand “others” who look different or think differently from our own selves. By learning to value nature, we may learn to value ourselves and all other humans and living things we share the planet with.

My heart breaks open to individuals, families, businesses, and organizations that are struggling and having to make difficult decisions. Many of us have quickly found ourselves needing to change to survive and thrive in the future. This is not easy, it is not orderly, it is messy and it is exhausting. But I believe it is worth it. During hard times, I find myself drawn back to a book called Healing the Heart of Democracy by Parker Palmer.

Palmer suggests that we become energized rather than defeated by what breaks our hearts. He says we should open our hearts to each other, no matter our differences, draw light out of darkness, community out of chaos, and life out of death. Those words seem so fitting right now, and as I try to live them, will bring them to and see the in the environment at River Bend Nature Center. We have work to do together and have been preparing for the challenges ahead. We sincerely thank YOU who have continued to make it possible.