Solastalgia in the Clear Cut

Clear Cut, Knieriem Road neighborhood, Corbett, Oregon

June 15 was a stormy day in the Columbia Gorge, land of the Cascades Chinook People of the Pacific Northwest. Between the hail and rain showers, ten stalwart lovers of Earth gathered to address the beings of the Five Directions and appreciate a narrow strip of wounded forest that had taken the brunt of winter winds after a swath was clear cut. Owl called as we shared stories of losses as we passed a talking stick salvaged in 2011 from what was once the tallest Sitka Spruce in the US at over 200 feet, with a crown of over 90 feet wide.

Once part of the primeval coastal old-growth rain forest, estimated to be 750 years of age, it finally succumbed after a coastal ridgetop nearby was clear cut, windbreak and storm protection, logged off. Some friends who derive livelihoods selling land and building houses said they need this practice to both hold grief and beauty and look at the impacts of their work. Neighbors in community adjacent to the clear cut shared relief that comes from a good cry, expressing solastalgia* for the losses: the great mossy tree friends along the creek who are no longer greet us, the quiet nights with fewer owl calls, the canopy of green beauties. Those who joined in from the city spoke gratitude for the chance to be in this wild, upturned nature space, and noted appreciation for city trees creating canopy over streets and sidewalks. Judy was acknowledged for her years of facilitating Earth Exchanges and Noelle was honored for feeling the strong need to pull everyone together for this evocative experience.

Then we began to notice what was here now rather than what was missing. We heard bird songs, spotted shy ones flying through, including the infrequent Lazuli Bunting. We could see the young saplings who had been planted over the winter thriving with new growth in the warming spring, felt delight by the good chance they will make it through the summer! We were all invited to revisit this public right-of-way, love the place as it continues to transform, and help grow cover for the elk trail. Whether or not we return, we have changed, and changed this spot with our loving presence. We fashioned and left behind our Radical Joy Bird of fir bark, vine maple, twigs, delphinium seed pods, and pink clear cut flagging.

*Solastalgia-The homesickness you feel when you are still at home.