Nature's Resilience March 10

We drove my favorite drive today, over the Black Spur. From Narbethong to Dom Dom saddle there is hardly a sign of fire, then down to Fernshaw (the reserve in the middle of the forest) there are a lot of blackened trees and tree ferns, but the miracle is there is still so much green there, so many areas that haven't caught as well as those that have. There are gullies that look untouched, and then gullies that are burnt out, as though someone dropped fire from heaven in random places.

Fernshaw itself looked quite green still, those European trees would have helped, but beyond that down to Healesville the fire must have been intense and was widespread. As we drove through we realized that if we hadn't witnessed worse, we would have been appalled at how much has burned in that stretch. The trees are black and the ground is black, but the trees still have dead brown canopies that used to be lush leaves.

I guess that still suggests hope of life, different to the forest around Narbethong in which the trees are stark black tapering stalks with no canopies and the earth has that silvery ash color to it that suggests it is sterile.

In amongst the black, south of Fernshaw, with everything burned around them, are three old tree ferns standing together quite close to the road. They are tall and brown and give the suggestion they are leaning towards each other, still holding up strong green fern fronds, perhaps in their quiet wisdom discussing how the world has changed around them.

The Black Spur was burned out in 1939 and the mountain ash were replanted, which is why there are so many trees all about the same size and age, all stretching up into the sky to find the light. Underneath are the tree ferns, countless numbers, keeping the mountain green and lush even on a hot summer's day. To me they are the wise old ones of the mountain.

The wind was a major factor on Feb 7, but the green of the rainforest section of the Black Spur probably kept enough moisture in the air to slow the fire down and keep it cooler. Nature is amazingly resilient and I will look forward to my drives over the spur each week, watching the regrowth. I have a favorite meditation spot there where I sometimes stop, looking down into a gully, a sea of green. It's still there :) :) :)

There are so many beautiful things coming out of the devastation of February 7. This is just one of them
http://helpflowerdalenow.blogspot.com/
It seems that so many people are still sending heartfelt love and gifts to the survivors of the bushfires. If you wish to help, have a think about what is realistic for you and then get in touch with someone who might be able to put you in touch with someone who knows someone...you know how it goes. Help will be needed for years for those who are rebuilding their homes and their lives. At the moment their is an inundation of help from all quarters so chances are you'll be told that just at the moment you can't help, but keep asking.

Later, maybe tomorrow, maybe in a month or two, maybe in half a year, your help might be invaluable.

Right now you can still help by sending loving thoughts out to all those who are hurting, just sit quietly for a minute and feel the love in your heart, then extend that out to those in need.