I appreciated hearing Sally Swarts process to environmental consciousness.
It was honest and struck a chord in me and made me think about my own
travels to a more environmentally friendly way of life.
As with Helen Marsh I grew up in rural New Zealand and aided my mothers
making of compost, using natural pest control measures (planting pyrethrum
daisies through the vege garden), and ate the fresh produce from her garden
as I grew. I think this had a lot to do with my caring attitude towards nature.
But my independent move to environmental consciousness came with my tertiary
education and the contrasts to a rural upbringing, that living in a city
brought. No birds singing, no home-grown veges (until I dug my garden). I
found these contrasts the most enlightening to me.
I stopped taking nature for granted.
I developed hobbies that revolved around unspoilt nature (bush-walking and
river and lake kayaking), and after such trips I would return to home and
take up my recycling, composting, sewing, and self-sufficient gardening with
re-newed vigour.
By last year my committment was such that I was determined to seek a career
and employer in an area of science that would contribute to caring for the
environment. I was fortunate that this worked out for me.
But yes, through this process has also been woven a spiritual thread, as I
am exposed daily to the wonders of nature and its remarkable diversity.
_ _ Toni Withers
(o)--(o) Centre for Tropical Pest Management
/.______.\ Alan Fletcher Research Station
\________/ P.O. Box 36
./ \. Sherwood, Q 4075, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
( . , ) ph 61 7 3375 0724
\ \_\\//_/ / fax 61 7 3379 6815
~~ ~~ ~~ Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
