As I continued through the more untouched terrain of the woods, I began to experience a pain that made my stomach tie in knots. I have had bad knees since I entered adulthood, whether it was an extension of my extracurricular activities or merely genetics it has been something that would cause flare ups throughout the last few years. While I adore nature and everything that it has to offer, my own medical issues atop the lack of forest by my home--I wasn't prepared for the aftermath of the pain that came from this walk in the woods. It wasn't as if the path we took was too intensely high impact aside from a few casual inclines and downfalls but still the dull throb wouldn't disappear. As I continued at the back of my group, it brought to mind the privilege of enjoying nature that is brought forth by being mostly able-bodied. All too frequently as an able-bodied person it falls to the wayside that we are able to fully enjoy nature because of this privilege. Which brings to the forefront of my mind, how do we go about making things like this more accessible? There isn't an entirely clear answer, but I wanted to propose my thoughts regarding some potential ideas that may aid in this particular problem.
Obviously, for my potential setbacks when it comes to enjoying nature in full. I would suggest that where it is feasible to keep the paths as natural as we can. While I completely understand the use of gravel along paths through the woods, I also would like to bring forth how that can be harsh on not only people who suffer from joint issues--but those with mobility aids that may struggle with this type of pathing. While something akin to sand or simply flatting the path where able would be easier on certain individuals, I do understand that it would be more maintenance for those who are upkeeping the paths. This also brings forth the struggle that we could continue to encounter within making these paths accessible is that more naturalistic paths could be uneven, ridged, and have roots buried in certain areas of the pathway. While this is only the tip of the iceberg in regard to accessibility, as I am merely thinking from the standpoint of mobility-based issues. I should also bring into the picture those that are blind, deaf, or require assistance such as a service animal. While I am not as accustomed with their struggles, it is good to make sure we have a fully rounded view of those that may have obstacles different from our own that are encountered when talking a walk in the woods and enjoying nature through this means. This brings forth, at least when it comes to physical disabilities how do we keep the paths as accessible as possible without fully encroaching further upon nature than we already have? As it is important to do what we can so that others who may not be as able-bodied or have other conditions that may affect their enjoyment with such things as hiking or walking within nature. While that isn't the only way to enjoy nature, it is the one that most people think of when in regard to going out into the woods. Which brings forth as well, what are alternatives that disabled people could enjoy? It is important to not only get their input but as well their ideas in regard to alterations to the pathways that could be made to make it accessible for them. I am well aware that while I suffer from some small issues that it is not as impactful in my ability to go on such walks as it is for others.
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On my first exploration of the woods, in the unfamiliar terrain my eyes were naturally more inclined to track the twists and turns of the path ahead. This brought me to the perfect level to observe the fungi and moss life that was prospering on the underside of the forest floor. So often we think of the decomposers as destroyers of life, that they are breaking down the final stages of livelihood within the trees that they begin to invade. That they are the closing of a narrative of that particular tree that may have seen a century worth of hikers walk along the trail that they oversee, but I believe that we should step back and understand the truer lesson to be told by fungi and moss life. All too often in our way of life, we see our existence as a straight moving line when in reality we--much like the fauna and flora of the forest live in the same circular lifespan. The forest within itself facilitates a broader sense of what it means to recycle, as they use the aging tree to facilitate new growth that will be home to all kinds of different lives. Fungi exists to break down the remains of a fallen tree, this can as well be seen in the more morbid ideas of what happens to fauna after their last breath. Though threw this ending of life, it brings forth plenty of new beginnings. The mushrooms will use the remains of the tree to reach out their network of roots, reproducing and pulling forth any nutrients remaining within the tree itself. It speaks to the idea that we shouldn't think of death as impending doom upon ourselves, but the possibility of a new beginning. It can even be used in a less dark sense as a lesson about potential failures in life. That if something doesn't end as we intend, it doesn't mean that we can't move forward and begin anew--using what was useful in the past to us and apply it to lessons that we may encounter in the future. It also is to be said that in the consumerist narrative that we as a society have created that it could aid us to look within nature and imagine new life for items that we take for granted. The trash that we so often see in landfills or littering our trails can be used for plenty of different things. They can be put forth towards typical recycling or used in other forms of creation. This lesson as well is twofold in the ideas that it brings forth as when the fungi and moss life use the remains of a tree, nothing is wasted. All too often we take go about our day not thinking of the waste that we create with things such as eating--the excessive plastic or the leftovers we leave untouched. We have learned that there will always be an excess of things, a reality that isn't true as the world moves forward. So, it should spring forth the ideas of making use of the things we use or at least as much we as individuals can. With Regards to the many lessons that something like decomposers can teach us about the world around us, take the knowledge forth and birth new life to something you once believed would soon be meeting its end. It will bring forth your own pride of knowing that however small, you are stepping forward into a new and sustainable way of thinking. |
AuthorA place to view my thoughts and stream of consiousness during the walks through the woods. As well as discoveries and memories that tie into the overarching class ideas. Archives
November 2022
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