Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

In December, a New York Times article, titled “How Are the World's Trees Doing: A New Assessment Has Answers,” made the statement that more than one third of the world’s tree species are threatened with extinction, according to the first comprehensive assessment of trees by the world’s leading scientific authority on the status of species.

Though it seems nearly impossible to read a statement like this and not be devastated, the first quarter of this year layered additional concern.

Thankfully, there are countless outlets to deepen your connection to trees and an engaged community who cares. These can include social and environmental impact groups, fiction and non-fiction books and films, the visual arts, poetry and the restorative act of planting trees. Any one of these may inspire you and others to do what you can to help keep your community and public lands green and healthy.

Here are some suggestions from Team Canopy;

Executive Director Ava Hartman recommends reading “The Overstory,” by Richard Powers, which Ann Patchett called “The best novel ever written about trees.” The book tells the stories of nine people whose unique life experiences with trees unite them to address the destruction of forests. Many of the fictional stories are based on real people and events.

Board member Julie Roberts says there are so many sources of inspiration, as her connection with trees is so intense. Her memories are her biggest inspirations, but she also offered three from films. The first two are from the great animator Hayao Miyazaki. In My Neighbor Totoro, there is a wonderful acorn dance and the summoning of the Spirit of the Holy Great Camphor Tree.

There is also an overhead shot later in the film which reminds her of her childhood relationship with trees, growing up with a backyard as lush, green, and full of life as Miyazaki's landscape. She is also inspired by a scene in the Disney film Moana when the title character restores the Heart of Tafiti. It is a vivid allegory of humans and climate change—complete with our guilt, responsibility, and our hope.  

Community Engagement Specialist Jon Vickers suggests reading Jean Giono's short fable, “The Man Who Planted Trees,” especially an edition illustrated with the wood-cut prints by Michael McCurdy. It is a lesson in hope, humanity and our own ability to create change in the world. He also suggested the more accessible and pragmatic books of Douglas Tallamy, “The Nature of Oaks” and “Bringing Home Nature.” And, if you want something visual with a strong message of nature being linked to positive mental health, Jon loved the recent film Perfect Days by Wim Wenders, whose lead character had several daily rituals linked to trees. The film ends with the word 'komorebi' on screen, which is a Japanese word that describes the way light and shadow filter through trees, creating a calming effect of peace and visual splendor. There's no equivalent term in English.

Board member and CanopyBloomington co-founder Sarah Mincey likes to visit trees she planted twenty years ago, sitting in their shade with her kids. These moments give her time to reflect on the wonder and beauty of how these living beings manifest over time and the potential interactions and impact for countless numbers of people.

One can also find inspiration in a myriad of great online resources and email newsletters from local and national organizations. If you are not connected, some worth checking out are Arbor Day Foundation, National Forest Foundation, Tree People, Sycamore Land Trust and of course, CanopyBloomington.

When the question of inspiration was posed to Gillian Field, the City of Bloomington's Urban Greenspace Outreach Coordinator, she was quick to respond. For Gillian, 'community' and working together in a local way, making our immediate lives better, provides her with inspiration. Connecting with others 'who care' and 'show up' can be inspiring. She too is also a fan of the writings of Douglas Tallamy, saying that "Bringing Home Nature" changed her life.

As individuals, we know that we may have very little control over the fate of this beautiful blue planet we live in. But, in the end, we all have to decide how we want to live our lives, where we put our time and energy and what we care about. Quoting a line from the 2004 Turkish film, Head On, “If you can't change the world, change your world.” We can make a difference, have a positive impact and ... a little inspiration sometimes goes a long way! 

Where do you find yours?

2025 will be Canopy's most impactful year yet! Canopy will be planting hundreds of trees, engaging neighbors in the communities in which we plant, offering robust educational programs and continuing to build resources to be made available online and in-person. We cannot do this work without you. Please join us! Consider volunteering and/or donating to sustainably grow and manage Bloomington's urban forest together!

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Cover Image: Kôji Yakusho from the 2023 film Perfect Days, Neon Films