November 7, 2014

Dear Friends,

Travelers on Meridian Road lost an old friend this year, a tree. This was a huge short leaf pine tree on the right-of-way across from the old Gainey place. It occupied a prominent position on the road just north of the Florida line. From a long way off you could look from the top of one hill across a swale and see the tree on the next hill. It was so tall and solitary that it appeared against the sky -- a lifetime of skies for long-time travelers on that road.

But the tree also occupied another prominent place: it was right beside a Grady County electric transformer, and that is why it got cut down. Telephones rang all up and down the road the week the tree disappeared from its place in the sky. "That tree!" we all said, and we told our tree stories to each other: how we'd cut holly branches in those woods at Christmas time, the sight of that tree against the winter sky; long-ago summer night walks down Meridian Road from the Gainey house to play cards with old Mrs. Hambleton at Mistletoe; the moon in the branches of that tree; the comfort the sight of that tree could bring to someone driving home after a hard or sad day in town. Some of us even poured out our tree stories to the Grady County EMC, and they listened politely, probably rolled their eyes. "People like their electricity," they said. "They like their lights to come on."

And they are right after all. Who lying in bed before dawn on a 20 degree January morning doesn't like hearing the purr of the electric heater in the bathroom? Who coming in from working outside in the 90 percent humidity of an August afternoon doesn't enjoy the refreshing dry cool of the air conditioning? How many of us would be willing to give up those comforts for one old short leaf pine tree, or put at risk an electric membership cooperative worker late on a stormy night when the dead top of that tree came down on the wires?

There was nothing we could do about that tree. We have to resign ourselves to its loss, and resignation though bitter at first, is a feeling we can put up with.

But what if we lost something important and magnificent that we DID have the power to save, a place like Birdsong Nature Center that brings enlightenment, education, and happiness to so many people? What kind of useless, helpless creatures would we be if we allowed such a treasure to be lost? How could we stand ourselves?

It is the responsibility of capable people to take care of places like Birdsong in their communities. Fulfilling that responsibility brings a great feeling of power and satisfaction. Please give yourself the gift of that satisfaction by making a generous end-of-year contribution to Birdsong.

The Birdsong Board of Directors and I invite you to join us in making such an end-of-year gift. Our goal, with your help, is to raise $60,000 by December 31st. The entire Board and staff have each donated generously, as have several former Board members, and over one-third of the goal has already been attained. We are relying on you to make this year’s goal a reality and to help Birdsong thrive.

Your gift will be used to make sure that this meaningful place will be here for future generations, a wild and beautiful place, where nature is a priority.

Sincerely,

June Bailey White
Past President and Plant Sale Chair

 
P.S. Birdsong is a 501(c)3 corporation, so your gift is entirely tax-deductible. Please check with your bank or credit card company for a monthly deduction program, which can make a monthly gift automatic. Your business may have a matching gift program that can enable you to increase the value of your contribution.

Every gift matters; every gift is a vote of support. We deeply appreciate your participation.

If you would like to make a donation to Birdsong, please see our Donations page for information.

 
You may also enjoy reading others of June's beautifully written letters. Below is a list from which 2011-2014 appeal letters can be selected.

2015 Annual Appeal Letter, Birdsong's 30th year and the embryo forest.

2014 Annual Appeal Letter, a story of community and an iconic Shortleaf pine tree.

2013 Annual Appeal Letter and the story of the persevering Louis Philippe rose.

2012 Annual Appeal Letter, the story of early Birdsong scientists and the lesson of the wood storks.

2011 Annual Appeal Letter and the story of the three little cranberry muffins.