>In the first week of October, 1995, I was in Maine among people who live a
>bit simpler while still participating in the local community. I wanted to
>join. While saving for land, I have looked at other areas nearer me (in
>Ohio) and other states, but Maine still has a great combination of community
>value.
>
>Closing on 7 acres there will be October 20. This is a slice off a 28-acre
>farm. The neighbors won't be out on lawn tractors every weekend. The
>location (town and neighborhood) is great.
>
>Now my problem: it's 95% wooded. There isn't a clearing large enough for
>letting much sun on a cottage. So I sit here in Ohio worrying about the
>first violent imposition of my ideas on a healthy spot of forrest. This
>is not land that needs a helping hand from the likes of me.
>
>I know I can build slowly enough to use materials from an acre clearing,
>but I fear that making the clearing is just the first compromise that will
>lead me to other non-ecological expediencies.
>
>Anyone else face this or similar questions? This could be simple cold
>feet, but it could also be my concience warning that the land isn't
>waiting for my "improvements".
>
>Dave Evans [EMAIL PROTECTED] At home.
Dave
There is no such thing as a natural environment anywhere in Maine or
Ohio and hasn't been for the last thousand years. Whatever you do to
the land isn't improvement or damage, it is change (or you are on the
wrong list).
With seven wooded acres you can do things that add to the diversity
that is there for you, the forest, and its inhabitants. If you make
an acre clearing then a huge variety of species can move in that
don't live in the forest. But an acre is a big, big clearing. Why not
a quarter acre? Quite enough for a house and a fair bit of food. Why
not another quarter acre somewhere else - with linked cleared way to
make a place for the new plants and animals to move along. Don't make
huge changes but feel your way gradually into the land. On seven
acres you could build a cabin in the woods without clearing anything
much and just see what developes.
Enjoy
kathryn
