A Rare Birth, Protection for Pollinators, and an Award-Winning Tree: A Celebratory Week for People and Planet - 30th Issue

On June 4, a rare white buffalo was born in Yellowstone National Park’s Lamar Valley. The birth prompted a celebration among the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate people in South Dakota, for members of this tribe regard the birth as a prophecy that has finally been fulfilled, with AP News reporting that the birth portends better times. 

Chief Arvol Looking Horse, the spiritual leader of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Oyate people, stated that the birth of the sacred calf, which has a black nose, eyes, and hooves, is:

 “both a blessing and a warning”

 in that it serves as a reminder that more could—and should—be done to protect the earth and its animals. 

California is making significant strides in environmental protection. A new regulation, effective from July 1, will ban the use of toxic insecticides on state lands. This landmark move by the California Fish and Game Commission is a beacon of hope, as it will safeguard the state's ecosystem by prohibiting the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. 

Earthjustice writes:

 “According to scientists, neonics are lethal to birds and the aquatic systems on which they depend. A single seed coated with neonics is enough to kill a songbird, and exposure to far less of these insecticides during egg-laying season can impair reproduction. Neonics are also lethal to many terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, including butterflies, bees, earthworms, and mayflies, which provide critical food sources for birds and other wildlife.”

The new regulation will protect over 1.1 million acres.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) acknowledges Kimberly-Clark, the multinational consumer goods corporation's commitment to improve the sustainability of their products. In a blog post published on June 13, the NRDC commends The Kimberly-Clark Corporation's commitment to:

 "go beyond its biggest competitors when it comes to more sustainable forest sourcing."

highlighting the company's new Forests, Land, and Agriculture Policy, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to reducing forest degradation in all its products and is paired with an announcement that they aim to rid their entire product line of natural forest fiber. These actions represent a significant leap forward for the toilet paper manufacturer and for addressing longstanding loopholes in global supply chains that harm northern forests, which will hopefully create a ripple effect for more responsible sourcing across the market.

While it has been clarified that the company has not set a clear goal for its policy, its intention to reduce forest degradation emphasizes that responsible sourcing must be prioritized. 

A 100-foot tree that appears as if it is in mid-stride has been crowned New Zealand’s Tree of the Year by the New Zealand Arboricultural Association. According to Live Science, the northern rātā tree stands alone in the middle of a large paddock next to a cemetery near Karamea on the west coast of South Island. 

Nicknamed “the walking tree,” this tree represents one of the country’s tallest flowering tree species. NZ Arb president Richie Hill stated that the tree is a:

 "prime example of the remarkable trees that we, as New Zealanders, are fortunate to experience.” 

While the tree's age cannot be determined, the award organizers shared that the tree is a lone survivor of a forest cleared approximately 150 years ago. The northern rātā tree was once one of the most common species in the country's forests.

Their range, however, has been steadily decreasing, so much so that the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network has listed them as nationally vulnerable, which makes this award important in highlighting the importance of protecting and preserving the country’s native plant species.