Invasion of the Badlands

On vacation in the Badlands and Black Hills of South Dakota, I witnessed another invasion of beautiful ecosystems. Angry for several days and feeling helpless to do anything about the Yellow Sweet Clover marching over the landscape, I told my wife, Donna that I had to do something to alert people to this takeover of these beautiful landscapes. After several nights, I thought about how over the past 60 years I have been aware of invasive species and have seen the list grow and grow and grow.

What is our place on this planet? Does our labeling of plants as negative aliens and as invaders invite more negative thoughts? What good has become of our waging war on these alien species? Shouting and preaching that this just isn’t right nor nature’s way and getting all fired up and angry at one of God’s creations just didn’t seem to fit well with me anymore. I’m tired of generating negative feelings inside of me. This thought made me start to question the overall picture of man and nature and our relationship to plants, each other and our interaction with all species of our world.

Here are some of my questions that I ponder often:
· Were any species created out of negative thoughts?
· Were any plants or animals meant to remain in one area? If so, why do they do so well when introduced into different areas?
· What is the long-term succession of these so-called invasives or alien species? I mean over thousands of years?
· Can we live with these aliens and make peace or will we always wage war on them?
· Does the attack on the “invasive species” ultimately do any good?
· Are we supposed to sit back and do nothing?
· Can we make any peace with this rapidly changing world of the intermingling of species?
· Is this really a natural event and man truly is a part of nature but thinks that he isn’t because of his ability to choose and reason?
· Is it logical to think that man isn’t a part of nature or is this just another arrogant thought that puts us as the ultimate animal separated from all nature and we stand alone still fighting and compartmentalizing all species.
· Is there a kinder, more positive and cooperative way of dealing with what we perceive as invasive species?
· Does prejudice produce more prejudice?
·
If we are just holographic pieces of the “Great Spirit”, then we are included in this great magnificent process that created the universe and all within it. Are we not programmed to keep creating something different?
·
Does any one thing deserve to be eradicated or is that part of the plan?
·
Are the invasives just signals to us that we need to change our ways and they are just messengers sacrificing their lives for a cause yet unknown to us?
Some of the species that I have come into contact with and waged war over the years are:
· Japanese Honey Suckle
· Kudzu
· Multi-flora Rose
· Crown Vetch
· Yellow Sweet Clover
· Garlic Mustard
These are just a minute number of species that I have allowed to cause stress and negative energy in me. I think that now after decades of fighting, I am ready to accept that these aliens are just part of the cosmic progression to a different place on earth and the universe that is neither good nor bad.
What do you think?

Tired of struggling over this issue,
Howard Bright President Ion Exchange, Inc.
www.ionXchange.com

TNG Visit to Hay Creek Ranch

Donna and I are on vacation now to take a break from The Natural Gait and Ion Exchange, our two businesses. We drove to the Black Hills in South Dakota.

After spending the night in Mitchell SD, where we narrowly escaped baseball size hail and 70 mph winds, we drove through the Badlands, now covered with Sweet Clover, a terrible invasive plant. The Badlands are still beautiful and hopefully they will find a way to eradicate the Sweet Clover. We headed west out of Wall Drug and into Rapid City where we stocked up on supplies. Donna, who loves to cook, pretty much bought out the grocery store.

Our destination was in a remote location between Deadwood and Nemo in the Black Hills. Following directions, we finally arrived at Hay Creek Ranch, a facility very similar to The Natural Gait. Doug met us immediately and greeted us. Helping us with his tractor to clean out our horse trailer and show us our cabin, he is a very nice and friendly person. We decided to stay here at Hay Creek Ranch primarily because of the positive and vibrant conversation with his friendly wife, Jody, via phone several weeks before we left home. We had made several other contacts and we knew by intuition that this would be the best place to stay. We were right!

Doug has bent over backwards to help us and make us feel comfortable. After starting the Hay Creek Ranch four years ago, Doug and Jody are able to measure their success by a very unique method as illustrated on youtube….

You will find the cabins clean, comfortable, well furnished and cozy. There are five cabins with varying occupancies. Many choices of horse stalls are available. With miles of horse trails and Doug’s willingness and pleasure to show you many of the hidden ones, it is a real treat to be with real people away from home.

Visit Hay Creek Ranch and let Doug and Jody take care of the rest.