It’s hard to believe that one in four trees in the eastern US used to be an American chestnut.  Last year I ordered a sapling, and it just came in the mail this week.  Excited to have one in my yard, and hoping it makes it to 500 years.  

Wild Neighbors: Antlers, Feathers & Paws Unveiled

Discover the fascinating world of "Wild Neighbors: Antlers, Feathers & Paws Unveiled"! Immerse yourself in the wonders of wildlife in central New Hampshire. Join us on this extraordinary journey into the heart of nature's domain.

Welcome to The Earthy Alchemist’s first installment of “Wild Neighbors: Antlers, Feathers & Paws Unveiled,” where we embark on a captivating journey into the enchanting world of wildlife thriving right on our doorstep at Marleywood, nestled in central New Hampshire. No need for hiking boots or mosquito netting, and leave your pack behind – just grab a tasty beverage, sit back, and let’s set out…

View On WordPress

Lowbush blueberries with darling little pink flowers and a pitcher plant seen in a bog. I always thought of carnivorous plants as being "exotic" and not cold tolerant, but this type of pitcher plant is native to new england!

Vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry)

Serracenia purpurea (common pitcher plant)

And rock harlequin! Capnoides sempervirens, aka pink corydalis. You can see some blueberries in the background of this too

A guide to how sharks reproduce. #animals #fish #sharks #rays #skates #batoids #ocean #wildlife #marinelife #sealife #nature #sea #education #conservation #animalreproduction (at Nashua, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqDSBxru2Np/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

With his shrewd eyes and his forks of corn-yellow hair, Julian Sands was a natural choice to play the valiant, romantic George Emerson, who snatches a kiss from Lucy Honeychurch (Helena Bonham Carter) in a Tuscan poppy field in A Room With a View (1985). “I wanted him to be real, not a two-dimensional minor screen god,” he said. “I liked him in his lighter, sexier moments, less so when he was brooding.”

Sands, who has died aged 65 while hiking in mountains in California, was dashing in that film, but he could also project a dandyish, effete or sinister quality. He was blessed with a mellifluous voice and a lean, youthful, fine-boned face, even if, as a child, his brothers insisted he resembled a horse. (He agreed.) In James Ivory’s film of EM Forster’s novel, he was pure heart-throb material. His participation in the notorious nude bathing scene was no impediment to the picture’s success.

Prior to that, he had played the journalist Jon Swain in The Killing Fields (1984), Roland Joffé’s drama about the bloody rise of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The picture marked the beginning of his friendship with his co-star John Malkovich. “I’d been cautioned by Roland to keep my distance from John because he was an unstable character,” Sands recalled. “And John had been told by Roland to stay away from me, because I was a refined, sensible person who didn’t want to be distracted. In fact, we bonded instantly.”

Malkovich directed Sands in a one-man show in which he read Harold Pinter’s poetry. First staged in 2011, the production had its origins in an occasion six years earlier when Pinter, suffering from oesophageal cancer, had asked Sands to read in his stead at a benefit event in St Stephen Walbrook church in the City of London. The writer “sat in the front row with his stone basilisk stare”, Sands recalled.

Not all his work was so highfalutin, and a good deal of it fell into the category of boisterous, campy fun. In Ken Russell’s Gothic (1986), he played the poet Shelley, who indulges in sex, drugs and séances with Lord Byron (Gabriel Byrne) and the future Mary Shelley (Natasha Richardson), and is prone to recite verse naked in thunderstorms.

In a similar vein but far less deranged was Impromptu (1991), which brought together other notable 19th-century figures including George Sand (Judy Davis) and Frederic Chopin (Hugh Grant). Sands, who played Franz Liszt, described it as “Carry On Composer”.

Born in Otley, West Yorkshire, he was raised in Leeds and Gargrave, near Skipton; he later described his childhood as “part conservative and part Huckleberry Finn”. His mother, Brenda, was a Tory councillor and leading light of the local amateur dramatic society, while his father, William, who left when Julian was three, was a soil analyst. Julian made his acting debut in a local pantomime at the age of eight.

At 13, he won a scholarship to Lord Wandsworth college, Hampshire. He moved to London to study at Central School of Speech and Drama, and while there became friends with Derek Jarman. He played the Devil in an extended promotional video that Jarman directed in 1979 for Marianne Faithfull’s album Broken English. The role had been intended for David Bowie, who dropped out at the eleventh hour. “You’re devilish,” Jarman told Sands. “You can play it.”

The actor’s first film appearance came in an adaptation of Peter Nichols’s stage comedy Privates on Parade (1983), starring John Cleese and Denis Quilley, from which his one line of dialogue was cut. There was more rotten luck when he won the lead in a new Tarzan movie, only for the financing to fall through. It was eventually filmed as Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984), with Christopher Lambert donning the hallowed loin-cloth.

On television, he starred with Anthony Hopkins in the miniseries A Married Man (1983). In Oxford Blues (1984), he was a rower butting heads with a Las Vegas parking attendant (Rob Lowe) who has tricked his way into a place at Oriel College. He was in The Doctor and the Devils (1985), inspired by the Burke and Hare case. “I had a roll in the hay with Twiggy which took about 15 takes,” he said.

Following A Room With a View, he agreed to play the lead in Ivory’s next Forster adaptation, Maurice (1987), before abruptly dropping out and fleeing to the US. In the process, he left behind his wife, the journalist Sarah Sands (nee Harvey), who described him as “restless” and “dramatic”, and their son, Henry. “I’m not the first person to create stability and security and then dismantle it even more effectively than I created it,” the actor said.

Once in America he took on an array of film parts. In Warlock (1989), he played the son of Satan, wreaking havoc in modern-day Los Angeles. Investing this pantomime villain with lip-smacking brio, he was likened by the Washington Post to a “hell-bent Peter Pan” and nominated for best actor in the Fangoria Chainsaw awards. He reprised the role in Warlock: The Armageddon (1993).

As an entomologist in Arachnophobia (1990), he was called upon to have as many as a hundred spiders crawling all over his face. Alternating these mainstream projects with arthouse ones, he played a diplomat in pre-war Poland in Krzysztof Zanussi’s Wherever You Are … (1988) and a monk in Night Sun (1990), the Taviani brothers’ adaptation of Tolstoy’s short story Father Sergius.

For the Canadian horror director David Cronenberg, he starred in the warped and witty Naked Lunch (1991), which disproved those who had declared William S Burroughs’s original novel unfilmable. Just as outré but less accomplished was Boxing Helena (1993), directed by Jennifer Lynch, daughter of David. Sands played a surgeon who keeps a woman captive by making her a quadruple amputee.

After starring as a young classics teacher in his friend Mike Figgis’s film of Terence Rattigan’s The Browning Version (1994), Sands worked a further six times with that director, appearing in his movies even when he was an unorthodox choice for the job in hand. One example was the part of a menacing Latvian pimp in Leaving Las Vegas (1996).

Later roles include a mysteriously unblemished Phantom in Dario Argento’s version of The Phantom of the Opera (1998), Louis XIV (whom Sands described as “the first supermodel”) in Joffé’s Vatel (2000), a crime kingpin named Snakehead in the Jackie Chan vehicle The Medallion (2003), a computer security wizard in the comic caper Ocean’s Thirteen (2007), a younger version of the businessman played by Christopher Plummer in David Fincher’s take on The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (2011) and a sadistic paedophile in the gruelling wartime odyssey The Painted Bird (2019).

On television, he was a Russian entrepreneur in the fifth season of 24 (2006) and the hero’s father, Jor-El, in two episodes of the Superman spin-off Smallville (2009). For the BBC, he played two very different actors in factually based one-off specials: first Laurence Olivier in Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore (2005), then John Le Mesurier in We’re Doomed! The Dad’s Army Story (2015).

His recent work includes Benediction, Terence Davies’s haunting study of Siegfried Sassoon, and the thriller The Survivalist (both 2021), which found him back in the company of Malkovich. One of several titles still awaiting release is the drama Double Soul (2023) starring F Murray Abraham and Paz Vega.

Sands never stopped wandering, walking, running and climbing. “I am on a perpetual Grand Tour,” he said in 2000. Asked in 2018 about his eclectic career, he explained: “I was looking for something exotic, things that took me out of myself. I think I found myself a little boring.”

He was reported missing while out in the San Gabriel mountains, north of Los Angeles, in mid-January 2023. His remains were found in June.

In 1990 he married Evgenia Citkowitz. She survives him, along with their two daughters, Imogen and Natalya, and his son.

🔔 Julian Richard Morley Sands, actor, born 4 January 1958; died circa 13 January 2023

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at http://justforbooks.tumblr.com

Last year, after Disney had the temerity to issue a statement opposing one of his prized legislative initiatives, Ron DeSantis punished the company by removing its self-governing status. (DeSantis justified the maneuver as a removal of unjustified privileges, but he had not previously opposed Disney’s status and made little attempt to disguise its nakedly retaliatory nature).

On Monday, he took matters much further. DeSantis appointed a board to oversee Disney. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District is stacked with DeSantis cronies, including Bridget Ziegler, a proponent of his education policies; Ron Peri, who heads the Christian ministry the Gathering USA; and Michael Sasso, president of the Federalist Society’s Orlando chapter.

While the board handles infrastructure and maintenance, DeSantis boasted that it could use its leverage to force Disney to stop “trying to inject woke ideology” on children.

“When you lose your way, you’ve got to have people that are going to tell you the truth,” DeSantis proclaimed. “So we hope they can get back on. But I think all of these board members very much would like to see the type of entertainment that all families can appreciate.”

It is worth pausing a moment to grasp the full breadth of what is going on here. First, DeSantis established the principle that he can and will use the power of the state to punish private firms that exercise their First Amendment right to criticize his positions. Now he is promising to continue exerting state power to pressure the firm to produce content that comports with his own ideological agenda.

Whether he is successful remains to be seen. But a few things ought to be clear. First, DeSantis’s treatment of Disney is not a one-off but a centerpiece of his legacy in Florida. He has repeatedly invoked the episode in his speeches, and his allies have held it up as evidence of his strength and dominance. The Murdoch media empire, which is functionally an arm of the DeSantis campaign, highlighted the Disney conquest in a New York Post front page and a Fox & Friends segment and DeSantis touted his move in a Wall Street Journal op-ed.

Second, DeSantis’s authoritarian methods have met with vanishingly little resistance within his party. The only detectable Republican pushback has come from New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, who warned, “Look, Ron’s a very good Governor. But I’m just trying to remind folks what we are at our core. And if we’re trying to beat the Democrats at being big-government authoritarians, remember what’s going to happen. Eventually, they’ll have power … and then they’ll start penalizing conservative businesses and conservative nonprofits and conservative ideas.” (Of course, this warning holds only if Republicans believe they will have to relinquish power. If DeSantis can truly follow the example of Viktor Orbán, losing power becomes only a theoretical risk.)

And third, DeSantis has been very explicit about his belief that he sees his methods in Florida as a blueprint for a national agenda. So there is every reason to believe that, if elected president, DeSantis would use government power to force both public and private institutions to toe his line. Speaking out against him, or even producing content he disapproves of, would become a financially risky proposition.

Part of what makes DeSantis so dangerous is that Donald Trump created a very defined idea of authoritarianism in the minds of his critics. His refusal to accept the 2020 presidential-election results was indeed a dangerous attack on democratic legitimacy — but this especially notorious episode has overshadowed his other efforts to abuse state power. Trump wielded federal regulations to punish the owners of the Washington Post and CNN for coverage he disapproved of and used diplomatic leverage to extort Ukraine into smearing his political rival. Republicans either supported or ignored these abuses of power.

To whatever extent they have principled objections to authoritarianism, those objections are limited almost entirely to fomenting a violent mob to overturn an election. And while inciting an insurrection is extremely dangerous, it hardly exhausts the scope of illiberal tools available to a sufficiently ruthless executive.

Damon Linker recently criticized liberals for unfairly calling DeSantis as bad as Trump. Linker’s prediction that a second Trump administration would be more dangerous than a first DeSantis administration might be correct. But it’s hard for me to understand how he can state this so confidently when he acknowledges DeSantis’s illiberal intentions and lack of democratic scruples. Comparing the relative evils of two authoritarian-minded leaders seems to be mainly an exercise in guesswork.

A year ago, I wrote a long profile of DeSantis, in which his deep-rooted distrust of liberal democracy was a major theme. Last fall, I attended the National Conservatism Conference, where the attendees laid out rather plainly their ambition to turn DeSantis into a model for a ruthless, illiberal party that would use the organs of the state to crush its enemies. Since those pieces appeared, DeSantis’s actions have made me more, not less, concerned.

Whether DeSantis would actually do more damage to American democracy in office than Trump could remains hard to say. Perhaps, perhaps not. But we should recognize that he is not putting himself forward as a critic of Trump’s authoritarianism. He is promising, on the contrary, to exceed it.

By Justin Mazzola

Huffington Post

Aug 20, 2022

Take a look at a photo of the 46 U.S. presidents. What do you notice?

When I’d ask my students this at the beginning of each school year, someone always said they look old. Another would point out that most of them aren’t smiling, and I’ll never forget the boy who said matter-of-factly that a lot of them are not handsome.

Students would also realize they’re all men, and, except for President Barack Obama, they’re all white. I’d then ask the natural follow-up questions: Why do you think that is and how do you think it’s affected our country? After discussing with a partner, they’d suggest that only white men were allowed to vote (previously true), while another would theorize the elected leaders made laws that favored white men (mostly true, specifically the wealthy). Like our presidents, almost every student in my class was white.

To be clear, this is not critical race theory, despite what many conservatives will have you believe. They argue that teaching kids about race sows segregation and shame, even if the history lesson involves events long before they were born. Some critics go so far as to claim we live in a colorblind society where racism no longer exists, citing Oprah and Obama as proof everyone has a fair shot at success. Many of those critics also have children who are likely to adopt their views, unless professional educators teach them to think for themselves.

I was one of those kids, a Xennial growing up lower-middle class in a small New Hampshire city with my parents and younger brother. In 1990, the state was 98% white. In my high school graduating class of 264, only three students were nonwhite. Needless to say, I was not exposed to meaningful discussions about race. Instead, my family was indoctrinated by Rush Limbaugh, whose radio show provided a soundtrack for our home. My Republican father criticized affirmative action because it gave minority groups an unfair advantage in a country where, he claimed, everyone has an equal opportunity “as long as they work hard.” My mother, a French immigrant, adopted his views by osmosis. I did too, and held on to them throughout my 20s, until one professor changed everything.

While obtaining my master’s degree in education in 2009, I was required to take a course called “Language, Power and Democracy.” The monthlong class explored white privilege and America’s ongoing racial divide, and was taught mostly through documentaries and discussions. Redlining and Reconstruction were just some of the topics covered. My belief that class outweighed race in determining opportunities began to erode. After a month of evidence-based lectures and thoughtful conversations with my racially diverse classmates, I began to see America’s institutional racism.

Upon graduating, I taught at an independent school in San Francisco for nearly a decade. Autonomy over the curriculum allowed me to incorporate current events and marginalized voices into developmentally appropriate fourth grade content. Drawing inspiration from my graduate course, as well as authors Howard Zinn and James Loewen, I provided various perspectives while teaching social studies.

Each October, my students reviewed what they learned in third grade about Christopher Columbus. Then I would read “Encounter” to provide them with a different point of view. The children’s book is told through the eyes of a young Taino boy recounting the Italian explorer’s arrival, and the ensuing enslavement and brutality he unleashed on the native people. My students were simultaneously fascinated and shocked, leading most to write essays about why Columbus Day should no longer be celebrated.

During our World War II unit, students questioned a U.S. propaganda video, then analyzed photos of Japanese Americans being forcibly removed from the West Coast and images from the camps where they were incarcerated. They asked how Japanese Americans could be imprisoned based on their ethnicity, and why German Americans were spared the same treatment. This is not critical race theory, but students certainly raised critical questions about race in American history.

Read more.

Embracing Nature's Magic: Protecting Two Massive Forests

Discover the remarkable feat achieved by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests as they preserve and manage two enchanting forests. Explore their breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, offering endless recreational opportunities.

Encompassing approximately two million acres, the Quabbin to Cardigan region is one of the largest remaining areas of intact, interconnected, ecologically significant forest in central New England, and is a key headwater of the Merrimack and Connecticut rivers. The Q2C region’s forests collect and naturally filter drinking water for almost 200 cities and towns including the City of Boston.

THE QUABBIN-TO-CARDIGAN PARTNERSHIP

Launched in 2003, the Quabbin to Cardigan Initiative (Q2C) is a collaborative, landscape-scale effort to conserve the Monadnock Highlands of north-central Massachusetts and western New Hampshire.

Hampshire's Architectural Marvels: Unveiling Helyer Davies' Timeless Creations

Introduction

We cordially invite you to embark on an insightful expedition through the architectural wonders of Hampshire. This article is dedicated to the exploration of the distinguished works of Helyer Davies, a preeminent architectural firm whose contributions have significantly shaped the aesthetic and structural landscape of Hampshire. Esteemed for their dedication to producing designs of enduring elegance and exceptional craftsmanship, Helyer Davies stands as a paragon of architectural brilliance within the region. As we traverse through their extraordinary portfolio, we will uncover the intricate details and innovative methodologies that underpin the lasting allure of their projects. Prepare to immerse yourself in an odyssey of architectural discovery, celebrating the fusion of tradition and innovation that defines the essence of Helyer Davies' legacy in Hampshire.

The Enduring Legacy of Helyer Davies Architects

Hampshire, a county celebrated for its illustrious architectural heritage, owes a considerable debt of gratitude to the esteemed contributions of Helyer Davies Architects. Spanning over three decades, this venerable firm has carved a niche for itself as a bastion of architectural excellence within the region. Renowned for their scrupulous attention to the minutiae of design and an unyielding dedication to the highest standards of quality, Helyer Davies Architects have not only preserved the rich architectural tapestry of Hampshire but have also infused it with contemporary vigour. Their body of work stands as a testament to their expertise, embodying a perfect amalgamation of traditional Building Conservation values and modern aesthetics, thus continuing to shape and define the architectural identity of Hampshire.

A Tradition of Architectural Excellence

Established in the year 1985 by the visionary duo of John Helyer and David Davies, Helyer Davies Architects has emerged as a beacon of architectural innovation and excellence. From its very genesis, the firm has been steadfast in its mission to craft environments that epitomise a harmonious fusion of practicality and aesthetic splendour. Their diverse and expansive portfolio is a vivid testament to this ethos, encompassing an array of projects that range from elegantly designed residential abodes to state-of-the-art commercial edifices, as well as culturally significant institutions and thoughtfully planned public spaces. Each project undertaken by Helyer Davies Architects is a reflection of their unwavering commitment to elevating architectural norms and setting new benchmarks in design finesse.

Timeless Designs That Stand the Test of Time

The cornerstone of Helyer Davies Architects' design philosophy is an unwavering commitment to creating architectural works of enduring value. Central to their approach is the belief in crafting designs that are not merely contemporary but are destined to withstand the ephemeral nature of fleeting trends. This is achieved through a meticulous balance of aesthetic elegance and functional pragmatism. Their creations, therefore, are not just structures but are emblematic of an architectural ethos that prioritizes timelessness and sustainability. Each building, a harmonious symphony of form and function, is a lasting monument to the firm's dedication to principles of lasting architectural significance.

Exploring Hampshire's Architectural Gems

We now invite you to join us on a meticulousl

Ex-WH Trump Press Secretary Has Advice for Her Former Boss

Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany gave her ex-boss, former President Trump, a few words of advice after Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) announced an end to his 2024 presidential aspirations. 

On Sunday, after news broke that DeSantis was officially out of the GOP nominee race and endorsed Trump, McEnany said that the former president now needs to set the tone for the next nine months if he wants to beat President Joe Biden. 

McEnany urged her former boss to make a wise decision when choosing his vice president because he will face several challenges of winning over the establishment and independent voters, as well as the Nikki Haley voters— who is the only candidate left in the race competing with Trump for the GOP nominee. 

"I think he [Trump] gets the DeSantis voter both in the primary and the general. The DeSantis voter tends to be a traditional conservative person of faith, and that naturally translates to Donald Trump. Where I think his challenge is both here and going forward into a general election, is winning over the Nikki Haley voter, winning over the establishment voter, winning over the independent, which is why I think that vice presidential pick is so important," McEnany said on The Big Weekend Show.

The Fox News host argued that Trump needs to secure the voters from suburban women as well, predicting that every Republican— rain or shine— will show up to the polls in November, making every vote for Trump count. 

Recommended

Co-host Guy Benson echoed similar sentiments of fellow conservatives, saying that to beat Biden this election, the Republican Party must create unity and treat "potential allies as they drop out, the way that we actually just heard from Trump, which is a little bit out of character for him." 

According to a new Washington Post/ Monmouth University poll, Trump holds a massive lead among New Hampshire voters over his last remaining opponent, Haley. Fifty-two percent of potential primary voters support Trump, while 34 percent say they will back Haley. Before DeSantis dropped out of the race, only eight percent said they would vote for the governor. 

Haley's support has doubled from 18 percent in November. However, Trump's support has grown by six percentage points over the same period. 

With DeSantis's endorsement of Trump, the former president has an edge to secure the votes of those who planned on casting their ballots for the Florida governor. 

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Population growth of New Hampshire

New Hampshire, the Granite State, is experiencing steady population growth in recent years, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. With its beautiful landscapes, strong economy, and high quality of life, it’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to make New Hampshire their home. This growth presents exciting opportunities for the state’s future, as well as some challenges that will need to be addressed.

One of the key drivers of population growth in New Hampshire is its strong economy. The state has a low unemployment rate and a high median household income, which makes it an attractive destination for job seekers and young professionals. Additionally, New Hampshire has a burgeoning tech industry, with companies like Dyn and Dynatrace, as well as a growing healthcare sector, which provide ample job opportunities for those seeking employment in these fields.

Furthermore, New Hampshire’s tax structure, which is favorable for businesses and individuals, has been a major draw for people from other states. With no sales tax and no income tax on wages, more and more people are flocking to the state in search of better economic opportunities. This influx of newcomers brings with it a wealth of talent and diversity, enriching the state’s economy and culture.

New Hampshire’s natural beauty is also a significant factor in its population growth. The state is known for its stunning landscapes, including the White Mountains, the Lakes Region, and the seacoast. This draws in nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers who want to live in a place that offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking, skiing, and boating. The state’s commitment to preserving its natural resources through conservation efforts and land protection also adds to its appeal, making it an ideal place to live for those who appreciate the great outdoors.

In addition to its economic and natural attractions, New Hampshire offers a high quality of life that is unmatched in many other states. The state provides top-notch education, with excellent public schools and prestigious colleges and universities like Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire. Additionally, New Hampshire consistently ranks high in factors such as healthcare access and overall well-being, providing a strong support system for its residents.

Despite all the positive aspects of New Hampshire’s population growth, there are also challenges that must be addressed. One of the main concerns is the strain on infrastructure and housing caused by the increase in population. As the state continues to grow, there will be a need for improved transportation systems, expanded housing options, and updated public facilities to accommodate the needs of its residents. Planning and investment in these areas will be crucial to ensure that the state can continue to support its growing population in the long run.

Photo by Timo Wagner on Unsplash

Stingrays of the world. #animals #fish #sharks #rays #skates #batoids #ocean #wildlife #marinelife #sealife #nature #sea #education #conservation #stingrays (at Nashua, New Hampshire) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqIk03Puy4R/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Photograph Courtesy the Author

At Least We Can Give Thanks For a Tree! Visiting The Largest Known White Pine.

— By Bill McKibben | Thursday November 23, 2023 (Thanksgiving Day)

As far as the climate (and, truthfully, much else) is concerned, 2023 has felt like one nasty jack-in-the-box moment after another; there have been a record number of billion-dollar natural disasters in the United States and much worse in the rest of the world. That may explain why I was so pleased a few months ago to read a short article in a Syracuse newspaper about something both unexpected and quite unreservedly lovely: this past July, in the remote Moose River Plains Wild Forest, in the Adirondacks, a young botanist named Erik Danielson found the largest Eastern white pine known to exist. Indeed, it is the largest tree of any kind known in that great wilderness, and ever since I read about it I’d been hoping he might be persuaded to take me for a look. Earlier this month, with a dusting of snow on the ground, he led a small group of enthusiasts on a two-hour bushwhack into the forest.

Danielson, aged thirty-three, is a self-taught botanist who works for the Western New York Land Conservancy, helping to, among other things, identify rare and endangered plant communities. “I’m particularly interested in mosses and liverworts,” he said, and, indeed, we’d barely left the dirt road between Indian Lake and Inlet, New York, before he was bent over a carpet of green. But, in his spare time, Danielson is a big-tree hunter, at work for the Gathering Growth Foundation, on a book about the big trees of New York. He’s part of a small band that has systematically sought out the patches of old-growth forest that were left across the East after the rapacious logging of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and early twentieth centuries. I’ve known some of these sleuths for years—I spent a pleasant day a quarter century ago with one of Danielson’s mentors, another autodidact tree-lover named Bob Leverett, measuring white pines in a state park in the Berkshires. I’ve visited forest patches in the Carolinas, Vermont, and New Hampshire, but much of the remaining Eastern old growth is confined to the Adirondacks, the vast and sparsely populated quarter of New York that rises north of Saratoga, south of Quebec, and between the Mohawk and St. Lawrence Rivers, Lake Champlain, and Lake Ontario. Though the region is high and cold, with a short growing season, it’s also protected and empty, as long as you stay away from the scenic High Peaks around Lake Placid. I’ve often wandered there for days on end seeing no one.

Danielson was alerted to this particular corner of the Adirondacks by a hunter, Matt Kane, who posted a picture of a giant white pine on a Facebook group this year. Kane had been researching the logging history of the area, which came into state hands in the last decades of the nineteenth century, when it was still largely virgin forest. In 1950, a huge storm—still known as “the big blowdown”—toppled most of the trees there, and though the area was officially protected wilderness, the state allowed a controversial “salvage logging” of downed trees. For the first half of the hike, we followed, in places, an overgrown former logging road. Danielson has tools that his predecessors lacked, most notably lidar scans—basically, a Light Detection and Ranging aircraft pulses a laser down at the earth, measuring distances so accurately that it can build a 3-D picture of any area. “I was processing the canopy height model, and you could see that there had to be trees that were a hundred and forty to a hundred and sixty feet tall,” Danielson said. “In the Adirondacks, that’s very tall. And what made it really exciting was that it was a large area—it looked like five hundred or five hundred and fifty acres. Usually what you find are very small clusters”— such as the eight-acre Elder’s Grove, near Paul Smith’s College, where the state’s onetime tallest pine, Tree 103, fell in 2021.

Sometimes, as with the Elder’s Grove pine, these giant trees are situated conveniently near a road. Not in this case. We clambered along the remains of the logging road until we came to a sizable brook; you could plot a theoretical course across the rocks, but, as is often the case, theory succumbed to practice, and I slipped and got my boots wet (thank science for Gore-Tex). Across the brook, the forest began to deepen, and so did Danielson’s story (though it gave way at regular intervals to short seminars on bronze grape fern, which comes in two forms, and Northeastern sedge, “which looks a lot like yellow sedge except for some details”). He was describing his July expedition to us. On the first day, he found a very big white pine, but barely had time to catalogue it. “It felt so remote,” he said. “Usually, there are some signs of hunters, but here I didn’t even see a beer can.” He hit on a small brook, and followed it up through a quiet forest, scrambling across giant deadfalls—“nurse logs” sprouting hundreds of seedlings. “I was in a kind of ecstatic state, especially after I saw that waterfall over there,” he said. “Then I glimpsed an extra-large trunk through the trees and, as I got closer, it wasn’t getting any smaller.” Foresters, charmingly, measure the size of trees by D.B.H., or diameter at breast height, which is calculated from the circumference. He added, “When I wrapped my tape around it, it was 16.39 feet”—one of the largest ever measured for a white pine. (This tree’s D.B.H. is more than five feet.) But base circumference does not make a big tree—indeed, most really wide white pines are comparatively squat. “Looking up at this one, though, I could tell it was tall,” Danielson said. He crossed a gully to a small glade where he could get a clear view of the crown and, using a hypsometer, measured the tree’s height at a hundred and fifty-one feet and six inches.

That’s not the tallest pine we know about—last year, Danielson, not surprisingly, had measured the post-Tree 103 New York State height champion, on the other side of the Adirondacks, near Lake George, at a hundred and seventy-four feet. But many tall trees, including that one, are relatively skinny. This Moose River Plains pine, which he named Bigfoot, is a solid pole heading up into the sky. He could tell that, even at eighty feet, it was still forty inches in diameter, and he was able to conservatively estimate its volume (of the trunk and the main branches) at fourteen hundred and fifty cubic feet—reportedly, a record for the species. Indeed, Danielson says there are fewer than a dozen known, living, and verifiable specimens of white pine larger than a thousand cubic feet.

There’s enormous practical value in a big tree—new research makes it clear that they sequester vast amounts of carbon, and that letting big old trees grow is an even more effective way to draw down greenhouse gases than planting new ones. But the impractical value is likely larger; to be in the presence of a giant is for some reason calming—the air felt tranquil here, the sunlight scattered, the wind stilled. And it was somehow hopeful to think of what the tree had lived through in what Danielson says must be at least three centuries of life (it hasn’t been cored yet, and probably won’t be) and of what it might yet witness. Among many other things, that tally includes the Civil War, a trauma that exceeds even our current discontents. As it happens, one of the people on the hike was an old friend, Aaron Mair, who was the first African American president of the Sierra Club and now works with the Adirondack Council, the region’s premier conservation group. This past summer, Mair oversaw the first rendition of the Timbuctoo Institute—which draws its name from the settlement established for free Black men and their families outside Lake Placid, near John Brown’s homestead—bringing students of color from New York City to the Adirondacks to work with botanists, wildlife experts, and other conservation professionals. “It was a huge success,” Mair said. “I’ve got hundreds of kids who want to come next year, and they are going to be rangers, biologists, you name it.” Often, even amid the traumas of the moment, the seeds of what comes next are growing; sometimes they grow into something very mighty indeed. ♦

N.H. Association of Conservation Commissions Accepting Entries in Nature Photo Contest

The New Hampshire Association of Conservation Commissions is granting prizes ranging from $50 to $250 for original nature photographs. The “Water, Wetlands and Wildlife in the Natural World” contest is open through Sept. 8 for photographs taken anytime this year by age groups of 12 and under, teens 13-18 and adults 19 and up. Winners in each age group receive $250 and honorable mentions receive…

View On WordPress

How Karym Ben Dus Passion for Gardening Became His Claim to Fame in New Hampshire

Karym Ben Dus, a dedicated and talented gardener, has captured the hearts and admiration of locals and visitors alike with his remarkable green thumb and innovative approaches to horticulture. Through his dedication, creativity, and commitment to sustainability, Karym has not only transformed the landscapes of New Hampshire but also inspired a new generation of gardeners. This article delves into the journey of Karym Ben Dus, exploring how his passion for gardening propelled him to become a renowned figure in the state.

Early Beginnings and Love for Nature

From an early age, Karym Ben Dus developed a deep love and appreciation for nature. Growing up in the beautiful countryside of New Hampshire, he was surrounded by lush forests, vibrant meadows, and blooming gardens. Spending countless hours exploring the outdoors, Karym's fascination with plants and their intricate ecosystems grew stronger with each passing day. He quickly realised that gardening was his true calling, and he set out on a path to cultivate his skills and knowledge in this field.

Mastering the Art of Gardening

Karym Ben Dus embarked on a journey of self-education, devouring books on botany, horticulture, and sustainable gardening practices. He attended workshops and seminars to learn from experienced gardeners and experts in the field. Through hands-on experimentation and trial-and-error, Karym honed his skills and developed a unique approach to gardening that emphasised harmony with nature.

Innovations and Sustainable Practices

One of the key factors that set Karym Ben Dus apart from other gardeners was his emphasis on sustainability. While many gardeners relied on synthetic fertilisers and pesticides, Karym sought out natural and eco-friendly alternatives. He discovered the benefits of composting, companion planting, and organic pest control methods. His gardens became a haven for beneficial insects and wildlife, showcasing the delicate balance between human intervention and the preservation of natural ecosystems.

Transforming Landscapes, One Garden at a Time

Karym Ben Dus's expertise in gardening quickly gained recognition, and he was sought after by homeowners, businesses, and even local municipalities. 

His ability to transform barren spaces into lush, thriving gardens became his trademark. Karym's gardens were not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional, designed to attract pollinators, conserve water, and provide a sanctuary for native plants and wildlife. Each garden was carefully planned, taking into consideration the local climate, soil conditions, and the preferences of his clients.

Educating and Inspiring Others

Recognizing the importance of sharing his knowledge and inspiring others, Karym Ben Dus took on the role of an educator. He conducted workshops and community events where he shared his sustainable gardening techniques, empowering others to create their own green spaces. Karym's passion for teaching extended beyond adults; he also initiated gardening programs in local schools, teaching children about the importance of environmental stewardship and the joy of watching a seedling grow into a beautiful plant.

Recognition and Awards

Karym Ben Dus's exceptional work in the field of gardening did not go unnoticed. His dedication, innovative practices, and commitment to sustainability earned him several accolades and awards. He was recognized by the New Hampshire Horticultural Society for his outstanding contributions to the field of horticulture. Additionally, Karym was invited to speak at various gardening conferences and events, further solidifying his reputation as a gardening authority in the state.

Conclusion

Karym Ben Dus's passion for gardening has undoubtedly become his claim to fame in New Hampshire. Through his dedication, innovation, and commitment to sustainable practices, he has transformed landscapes, inspired others, and left an indelible mark on the state's gardening community. As Karym continues to nurture his gardens and share his knowledge, it is evident that his journey as a passionate gardener has only just begun. New Hampshire and its residents are fortunate to have such a visionary figure in their midst, and Karym Ben Dus serves as an inspiration to gardeners and nature enthusiasts worldwide.

Questions/Answers

Q:1  Who is Karym Ben Dus?

Ans: Karym Ben Dus is a passionate gardener from New Hampshire.

Q:2  How did Karym Ben Dus develop his love for gardening?

Ans: Karym Ben Dus developed his love for gardening from an early age while growing up in the countryside of New Hampshire.

Q:3  How does Karym Ben Dus transform landscapes through his gardening?

Ans: Karym Ben Dus transforms barren spaces into lush gardens that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, attracting pollinators and conserving water.

Q:4  How does Karym Ben Dus inspire and educate others?

Ans: Karym Ben Dus conducts workshops, community events, and gardening programs in schools to share his sustainable gardening techniques and inspire others to create their own green spaces.