Tomorrow morning as the sun breaks through the pines 40 eighth graders
will excitedly step off the bus into a cold crisp day.  The students and teachers will meet with Ross and Randy to explore the wilds of Carroll-Johnson Environmental Park.  One group will trek the trails into an upland forest  with Ross to learn about the parts of an ecosystem, how the parts function, and why we should remove exotic species. 
Students will remove Japanese stilt grass in the park.  

A second group will go with Randy to the park amphitheater to read the
March essay, “The Geese Return,” from Aldo Leopold’s book A Sand County  Almanac.  After sharing ideas, these students will move silently into the forest to observe and study the land while journaling their thoughts and reflections. 

This marks their fifth visit into the forest to their personal sit spot where they have observed the changes in the forest's seasonal attire.

(For my mother)

I am grateful, 
                   so grateful, 
                                  for my life,

I am a raw human who knows how to be whole,
I am a curly-haired child walking over piedmont hills, 
brushing against rounded white oak lobes, 
by myself, but not alone.

Captivated by buttressed trunks and carpeted ravines, 
traversing the slippery bark balance of fallen logs, 
imagining the living space among rooted brown earth 
and light floating leaves falling at my feet

I will always be there, 
exploring creek edges and following fence-lines, 
crunching and climbing to find the sheltered natural rooms 

framed by branches and 
                            stone where I could 
                                                         b e h o l d

the dancing beings of cedar,
the towering reach of oak and beech 
cycles of green to copper leaves 
that shape the vessel of my soul-

I finally know how I am to live-
to fill my soul with awe,
to live in wild peace.

In memory of Marjorie Hare Andrews 1944-2006. 

Ross Andrews 2009


Poems from the CHER Nature Poetry Campfire Gathering October, 2012
by Langston Lyricai Fuze (Chris Rowland)


"a gathering of souls" (Oct.13/2012)

While the flames danced and the embers jumped
Our thoughts reached to ink a blank stump
Night lights generated by campfire, encouraging our delight
Dodging miniature comets spirited in flight
Everything is everything in this moment filled of wonder
Randy & Iris’ fire are the promise darkness shall never 
take us sunder.

###

"rice crispy night" (Oct.13/2012)

SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
A fire is hungry for more.

On an early Fall Saturday,
see the flames vigorously rise
with repeated encore.

SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
Have you heard such a brilliant sound?

This is the way
oxygen and heat and substance
shake a good foot and get on down!

SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
SNAP! CRACKLE! POP!
Flames move and groove smooth as silk.

I watched and listened
and finally heard them ask…
Does anyone have any milk? :)

On Saturday, January 19, the staff of Center for Human-Earth Restoration had the pleasure of meeting, getting to know and working with several very special people who gave up warm homes to come out on a frigid morning and make a difference on the National Day of Service. There were 34 Chokeberry trees planted along the flood plain at Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Park while several piles of invasive plants were removed.  The hardship of coming for volunteer  work on a cold morning pales in comparison to the suffering that MLK and others underwent during his struggles.  A special thank-you is extended to the children who were such an inspiration to us. Those little dedicated workers not only motivated the grownups, brought laughter to our hearts but also knew the importance of planting trees "because trees give birds food and shelter." If there are many more children out there like those two, then our future is in excellent hands. This was a great day for our community and the Earth.

At a recent meeting with the YMCA of Wake County, Randy and Ross received several positive comments from the YMCA counselors concerning the 2012 summer camps and the "transformation" of many of the campers.  The conversation led to an invitation by the YMCA for CHER to present four weeks of summer camps in 2013 plus two weeks of advanced camps.

The Fuquay-Varina Independent published an article on Nov. 7 calling the CHER program "transformative" and "synergistic."  We hope this very complimentary article will bring more public awareness of this unique program.

We are offering several classes during Spring 2013 through the Fuquay-Varina Parks and Recreation Department. 

Ross Andrews, Executive Director of CHER was featured in the Summer 2012 Edition of ‘Conserve Carolina,’ the newsletter of the Conservation Trust of North Carolina in an article about a conference he presented at on the use of nature conservancy properties by underserved populations sharing the success of the CORES project with Exploris Middle School and the summer YMCA camps.  Ross has also been working with CTNC staff to promote next year’s CHER YMCA nature camps.  Ross and Randy both presented on the success of CHER programs to gathered environmental educators and community leaders at the EE Capacity Community Environmental Education Roundtable at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center in September.  At the roundtable they made numerous contacts and received great feedback about the mission and work of CHER.  Finally, the Nature Poetry program put on for CHER membership at the Senzig’s on October 13 was a huge success.  Warmed by the campfire and the open and beautifully poetic sharing of those gathered, the program included inspirational readings by outside authors as well as works created that evening.  It was a fun and enchanting night for all who attended!

Ross and Randy, along with new guy, Phillip, completed two weeks of CHER summer camps for 45 YMCA youngsters in July.  Each week brought new challenges and opportunities as these youngsters battled heat, humidity, and the wilds they were so unaccustomed to.  The games were fun.  Tree planting can be amazing fun as well as counting insects in a meadow.  Imagine 20 youngsters running hither and yon wielding butterfly nets towards unsuspecting critters.  Now imagine the shrieks of laughter as they discovered the joys of nature and new ways of meeting new friends.  Those activities along with the personal reflective times and many others seemed to transform these CHER campers from naive city kids into focused, future naturalists.  

Learning about your environment can give you understanding about what you see. Understanding what you see in your environment can give you a new respect for your new "neighborhood" and give you a renewed respect for your inner self.  Together these things can transform your life so that you can transform other lives by telling your new story and teaching others.  Try it - with CHER!  More later.