Sunday, March 29, 2009

Save Mother Nature at Oregon Fairs and Festivals

By Rick Amorey

Oregon is quite naturally beautiful. Every year, tourists flock to see the different sights around the State. Evergreen Mountain forests, waterfalls, and pristine lakes that are scattered around Oregon. In particular, forests are quite grand and splendid, and the ample supply of lumber has resulted in a number of practical and ornamental uses. It's a way to use the natural wonders of Mother Nature.

In recent years, however, the availability of wood has seen a decline. Truth be told, this is none other than our fault; we have squandered a resource that we thought was unlimited for our own use. Add to that the forest fires of recent years, and you shouldn't be surprised that there are now fewer lumber than there have been a decade or so ago.

To restore the forests and Oregon's lumber, we should all do our part. There have been efforts by private and government groups to conserve the remaining forests, and I am quite confident that if we all do our parts in this, generations and generations will still see the beauty that is in our forests. I am a woodcarver, and on a more personal note, I have drastically reduced the wood I use in my crafted items. I hope to eliminate them entirely from my work, but really, I don't think I'll see that happen soon.

Instead, I have decided to complement my woodcraft with another material. Other than vast forests, Oregon is also close to the sea, and as such there are an abundance of seashells to complement the wood. Earth and water combining for a more magnificent piece of art; such a thing has become popular with the fans of my work, and they crave for more.

But then, I practice restraint. The last thing that I want is to have a problem with sea resources in much the same way that there are now problems with lumber. At the very core, we must all be conscious of how much we take from Mother Nature; and be sure to give back as much as we take. So while I can indeed keep making crafts at a breakneck pace, I refuse to do.

About the Author:

No comments: