THE NEW SILENT SPRING*

This time, the birds are singing
This time, the bees are buzzing
This time, the flowers are blooming
The tree buds are swelling, and spring emerges

This time, our cars are parked
This time, the stores are closed
This time, the malls are shuttered
This time, the humans are quiet

This time, we listen to the birds
This time, we listen to the bees
This time, we listen to the flowers and to the trees
This time, we learn

*With gratitude to Rachel Carson

BIO: “I am a mother and a daughter in a long line of wise women. I serve as a Professor of Social-Ecological Systems and Ecological Economics at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and Chair of the Board of Directors of National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE). My scholarly focus is on systems approaches to social-ecological foundations for conservation and sustainability and the practice of collaborative interdisciplinary efforts to bring science into policy. My human focus is on healing old wounds of humanity and nature through authentic relationship.”