I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

– Elizabeth Barrett Browning

In Plants, People, Planet, Stevenson et al. reflect on efforts to plan urban ecosystems, and conclude that: “Ultimately, multiple ecosystem services must be considered (and measured) to optimize their delivery.” They also point out that public communications matter as well-meaning people may plant the wrong trees or harm—rather than help—wild bees.

Behind this concern about citified trees is the recognition that city-dwellers tend to forget about nature altogether, which may explain why history is replete with examples of city-builders—that is, of civilizations from the Indus Valley forward—that have created deserts and ended—or at least moved—their own existence. As almost all land continues to be consumed or abused by humans, the whole species is likely to succeed in its death-seeking ways of living.

Do we absolutely have to keep falling from the gardens? Must we enact the cautionary tales of the Torah until we can no longer do so because we are gone?

Absolutely not.

Must city-dwellers ignore life on earth for the sake of clubbing, careering, or otherwise living fast—and often short?

Of course not.

Urban arboretae and botanical gardens are wellsprings of knowledge and life, and have made the most of UN efforts to coordinate preservation and restoration for the sake of the fallen species that is—as the Gospel of Thomas puts it—ready to stand and turn.

If you live in a city, look for a garden or park to love wisely and well, join a restoration group, rewild your yard with the right keystone species, or join a greening congregation. If you can’t leave the city, help bring an ecosystem to town, or join a group like Oliver Sacks’ beloved New York City chapter of the American Fern Society. If you don’t know how much nature you need to realize its physical, psychological, and social benefits, consult the research of Danielle Shanahan and colleagues, authors of “The Health Benefits of Urban Nature: How Much Do We Need?” and/or that of Bonnie Keeler et al., authors of “Socio-ecological and technological factors moderate the value of urban nature”.

While in nature, close your eyes and attune your body to the sounds and smells of the life around you. This is what you evolved to do. This is how your ancestors preserved and gave to you the most miraculous of gifts: the seven-fold body in life in time. When you have taken n your fill of life’s miracles, read the Mary Oliver poem “Sleeping in the Forest” or the “Green Man” in Matthew Fox’s The Hidden Spirituality of Men, or The Dream of the Earth by Thomas Berry, or Being Caribou by Karsten Heuer.