Dr. Larry Melichamp and Audrey Melichamp
I REMEMBER THE FIRST Earth Day. It was April 22, 1970, and I was an Albion College (Michigan) senior. We became aware of the environment and the mounting problems for its health. We had forgotten Rachel Carson and her concerns. So how did we respond to this awareness? Not nearly enough, according to David Attenborough.
Larry and I became deeply concerned about this when we recently saw David Attenborough’s film, “A Life on Our Planet.” Attenborough states that in the span of a lifetime—his lifetime of 93 years—the earth is in a spiral downwards with CO2 increasing and green spaces decreasing. After viewing this film, Larry and I were ALARMED, SOLEMN, A LITTLE BIT HOPEFUL, and INSPIRED TO DO SOMETHING.
But what can we do? What can all of us do?
We Challenge you to see this film! “A Live on Our Planet” on Netflix.
Then ACT:
- Volunteer at land conservancies, parks, our great National Parks.
- Become a land steward or river keeper.
- Give funding for projects to support these natural places.
- Promote greenways, hiking trails and provide bike trails.
What Larry and I have done: we have given money to support our local land conservancies; we have given advice to help with trail construction or plantings along stream banks; we have educated people about plants, particularly native plants, and taught them to get rid of the invasives; and we take young people outdoors and teach them to take care of and respect green places.
Again, we all can do something! So, our CHALLENGE to all of you is to do something to protect our PLANET.
—Audrey and Larry Mellichamp
Dr. Larry Mellichamp, PhD is a professor emeritus of botany and horticulture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he taught for more than 39 years. He was also director of the University’s Botanical Gardens, which has 10 acres of outdoor gardens, including the Mellichamp Natives Terrace Gardens which demonstrates the use of natives for the homeowner. Larry is an expert on native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. He is also the recipient of the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence from the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference.
Dr. Larry Melichamp and Audrey Melichamp
I REMEMBER THE FIRST Earth Day. It was April 22, 1970, and I was an Albion College (Michigan) senior. We became aware of the environment and the mounting problems for its health. We had forgotten Rachel Carson and her concerns. So how did we respond to this awareness? Not nearly enough, according to David Attenborough.
Larry and I became deeply concerned about this when we recently saw David Attenborough’s film, “A Life on Our Planet.” Attenborough states that in the span of a lifetime—his lifetime of 93 years—the earth is in a spiral downwards with CO2 increasing and green spaces decreasing. After viewing this film, Larry and I were ALARMED, SOLEMN, A LITTLE BIT HOPEFUL, and INSPIRED TO DO SOMETHING.
But what can we do? What can all of us do?
We Challenge you to see this film! “A Live on Our Planet” on Netflix.
Then ACT:
- Volunteer at land conservancies, parks, our great National Parks.
- Become a land steward or river keeper.
- Give funding for projects to support these natural places.
- Promote greenways, hiking trails and provide bike trails.
What Larry and I have done: we have given money to support our local land conservancies; we have given advice to help with trail construction or plantings along stream banks; we have educated people about plants, particularly native plants, and taught them to get rid of the invasives; and we take young people outdoors and teach them to take care of and respect green places.
Again, we all can do something! So, our CHALLENGE to all of you is to do something to protect our PLANET.
—Audrey and Larry Mellichamp
Dr. Larry Mellichamp, PhD is a professor emeritus of botany and horticulture at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he taught for more than 39 years. He was also director of the University’s Botanical Gardens, which has 10 acres of outdoor gardens, including the Mellichamp Natives Terrace Gardens which demonstrates the use of natives for the homeowner. Larry is an expert on native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. He is also the recipient of the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence from the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference.