We need nature and nature needs us

I am a resident of Cedar Rapids, born and raised. This city has been good to me. The attitude of the Midwest is unique to many regions in our country and our world. I am fond of our hospitality and our values to live honestly and cultivate life for the good of all people. I am thankful for our clean water, wonderful schools and parks, and the safety of our city. This is a place that I am honored to call home.

Unfortunately, my reasoning for this letter is not to praise the city. I am writing today in disappointment and confusion. I am currently residing on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids. I live very close to the Sac and Fox Trail, and I adore the intimacy with nature that it provides its guests. To my displeasure, on a recent run I discovered a long stretch of trees and earth torn up and shredded. For roughly two miles, (possibly longer, as I stopped my run short out of frustration) the singing of birds was masked by the tearing down of trees and snapping of branches. This is a tragedy. The Sac and Fox Trail is the oldest of the Nature Trails we are fortunate to have in the state of Iowa. I do not want to place blame on the city, because I know that we are all victims of the industrialized world. We are blessed in our conveniences in today's world; however, I think we should be honest with ourselves in what is truly significant in our lives as humans.

I was born in 1993; my generation was the beginning of the technological wave of existence we live today. Luckily enough, my family did not endorse the hype and I spent my summers camping, riding bikes, roller blading, exploring the woods behind our house, and discovering all the beautiful things that the world offered. My springs were identical in nature; my falls were spent jumping in piles of leaves and having bonfires, making that last camping trip of the season; while winter was spent sledding and building forts.

The City of Cedar Rapids is called the City of Five Seasons. It is said that the fifth season is an appreciation. Here in the Midwest, time seems to move at a slow pace; it is when we connect with nature, recognizing gifts and lessons she provides, that we develop an understanding of our fifth season that our city is graciously named for. Through nature, I have gained well-being physically, mentally, emotionally and physically. Nature has taught me to become openhearted, honest, peaceful and compassionate. I write this letter on behalf of nature, whom cannot speak for herself. I choose nature's side, because I know that is where I am from.

There are two sides of Nature. The first is one that I have always identified with. The calm. I have understood the quiet flow of the wind and the ease of water rolling down a stream. The peace that nature provides has always been a part of my existence. Today, I identify with the other side of nature. The storm. Nature is stronger than we admit to ourselves. There is a voice in the crashing of water and the powerful gusts of wind.

What we have done is pitiful. I say 'we” because we share responsibility for the world as we are its creatures. I do not believe that many of us are brave enough to hold ourselves accountable. What is the cost of a tree? Who are we to deny the certainty that we are dependent on nature? Man is weak in the capacity that he can convince himself that a lie is the truth. How far will society push the limits of nature before she breaks? What is the value of a healthy biosphere? The importance of the natural world should not be ignored.

Again, I do not wish to blame the city; rather, I would like to identify the connection to where this path leads us. The big picture is that we will be the demise of our own species, due to greed and indecency.

I believe our city should be an example. We can choose to thrive in the natural world and prove that we are not as weak as our material possessions. I would like to see the City of Cedar Rapids, the City of Five Seasons, live up to its name and make decisions that enable us, its citizens, to keep our appreciation of the beautiful land and sky we are gifted. We all contain the strength of nature, and I believe this strength should be used for the cultivation of advancements for the natural world. If we can shift our vision to the big picture, we can make decisions that are beneficial to our residents and the members of our world that do not have a voice. There are many benefits that our industrialized world has provided for us; however no amount of industries can do the work that nature does without our asking. It is our duty to respect the Earth that provides for us and we should, in turn, offer sustainable life styles in gratitude for her service. Imagine the growth we could make as a species if we lived in correspondence to the Natural World. We need nature. More importantly, nature needs us.

' Kristi Greif is a local yoga instructor, bicyclist and nature enthusiast. Comments: kgreif55@gmail.com