Story Info

Hess Phragmites
Annie and Elvin Hess
Cobb Island Station, Virginia, USA
2010

Story & Experience

Phragmites

Attached are pictures from our Earth Exchange event “The Flip Side of Phragmites.” It was a wonderful experience being part of the Global action day! Congratulations! Below is the info and responses to our event: WHI Global Earth Exchange 2010

Host: World Healing Institute

Date: Saturday June 19, 2010 2:00-4:30 pm

Wounded Place: The land surrounding the WHI facility

Location: WHI at Cobb Island Station 21025 Seaside Rd. Cape Charles, VA 23310

Reason we chose this place: We decided to follow up on the Radical Joy workshop Trebbe led at WHI exactly one year ago when we focused on Phragmites and shared insights into its role in our local environment.

Jean Flynn, a local expert “wildcrafter,” guided us in using phragmites stalks to make bird houses and whatever inspired us. We also used the phragmites to outline the Radical Joy paleo bird sketch and one participant wove it into our name “WHI.” It was wonderful to use it in such creative ways! We hung the Radical Joy flag on a “phrag pole.”

Reflections of participants:

As we discussed and meditated on the nature of phragmites, one woman commented that it was here to teach us about balance. Another shared the online research that explained the many ways Native Americans used phragmites. We all listened to the wind whistle through the stalks and marveled at the birds that have found ways to adapt to living in phragmites, which is surprising because “phrag” is reviled as an invasive species that destroys natural habitat for wildlife. We all agreed that phragmites is here to serve us and the land in ways we don’t even understand yet. One woman was inspired to go home and make other natural crafts the rest of the day!

Written comments from participants:

“Wonderful, natural connection with Mother Nature and representing her in another form.”

“wonderful to get together to reflect, pray, and vision our Earth’s healing.”

“I love doing Nature Crafts and finding the beauty first in gathering the materials and then in creating whatever the material wants to become. Useful Beauty!”3

I’m sure we will be using phrag in many inspiring ways after this weekend!



Phragmites

Attached are pictures from our Earth Exchange event “The Flip Side of Phragmites.” It was a wonderful experience being part of the Global action day! Congratulations! Below is the info and responses to our event: WHI Global Earth Exchange 2010

Host: World Healing Institute

Date: Saturday June 19, 2010 2:00-4:30 pm

Wounded Place: The land surrounding the WHI facility

Location: WHI at Cobb Island Station 21025 Seaside Rd. Cape Charles, VA 23310

Reason we chose this place: We decided to follow up on the Radical Joy workshop Trebbe led at WHI exactly one year ago when we focused on Phragmites and shared insights into its role in our local environment.

Jean Flynn, a local expert “wildcrafter,” guided us in using phragmites stalks to make bird houses and whatever inspired us. We also used the phragmites to outline the Radical Joy paleo bird sketch and one participant wove it into our name “WHI.” It was wonderful to use it in such creative ways! We hung the Radical Joy flag on a “phrag pole.”

Reflections of participants:

As we discussed and meditated on the nature of phragmites, one woman commented that it was here to teach us about balance. Another shared the online research that explained the many ways Native Americans used phragmites. We all listened to the wind whistle through the stalks and marveled at the birds that have found ways to adapt to living in phragmites, which is surprising because “phrag” is reviled as an invasive species that destroys natural habitat for wildlife. We all agreed that phragmites is here to serve us and the land in ways we don’t even understand yet. One woman was inspired to go home and make other natural crafts the rest of the day!

Written comments from participants:

“Wonderful, natural connection with Mother Nature and representing her in another form.”

“wonderful to get together to reflect, pray, and vision our Earth’s healing.”

“I love doing Nature Crafts and finding the beauty first in gathering the materials and then in creating whatever the material wants to become. Useful Beauty!”3

I’m sure we will be using phrag in many inspiring ways after this weekend!



Cobb Island Station, Virginia, USA

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