Article August 26, 2002 Issue

I love all TREES

By Ovídio Trentini

Ipês grow along the boulevards and squares in the Brazilian city where I live—Panambi, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The ipê is a tree that can grow to be quite tall, and in spring it's entirely covered in large flowers. I love these trees—I love all trees! They give so many good things to us: fruits, wood, flowers, seeds, shade, soil protection, water storage, air purification

Unfortunately, trees are often endangered. The preservation of wilderness areas and forests has become a problem in our society. There is a general awareness that forests and wilderness areas are important, but at the same time, it's hard to reconcile their preservation with pressing economic needs.

Faced with these questions, I began to wonder what, beyond protecting the trees on my street, my role should be in this picture. I realized that the spiritual values I've been gaining through my study of the Bible have increased my respect and appreciation for nature.

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