Our Green Earth Team is exploring collaboration with the Mountain Sky UMC task force Ministry in the Time of Covid group. This conference-level group is exploring the possibility of planting trees in memory of those lost in the pandemic and/or to mark this pandemic event. Trees would be planted either on church sites or as part of a larger Mountain Sky Memorial forest. Fred Walls connected Rev. Patrick Lewis from UMC in Billings Montana with treeswaterpeople.org. This group is also considering tree plantings/restoration at two church camp sites, one of which is Buckhorn. Discussions are ongoing!
As a reminder to those who are interested in planting trees in memory of lost loved ones, we have an ongoing relationship with treeswaterpeople.org. This past year we have expanded our reforestation support beyond the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and are supporting two other projects which target reforestation to protect watersheds after the fires this summer. One new project is in the Four Corners area, working with the Southern Mountain Ute tribe. The second new project is In New Mexico and is working on the watershed areas for four different Pueblo tribes. We also continue to support reforestation in Central America following the two devastating hurricanes this year.
If you are interested in remembering a loved one through support of these projects, make a check to Mountain View with Memorial Forest in the memo line. We will get back to you about your preference.