Thanks Becca; Welcome Katy

Becca Clements Maldonado served ably as our chapter leader but has moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado for professional opportunities there. Thank you Becca for carrying our group forward. You planned a number of memorable events for us including the winter walk this past February at Roosevelt Island and our bike trip in Rock Creek with its stop to hike trails with a fungi focus. Best wishes to you in the Rockies.

Katy Cummings has stepped forward to lead us. Katy has been part of the Mid-Atlantic chapter from our beginning. Thanks to her we have this webpage, as she set up its design back in spring 2016. We look forward to interesting stewardship experiences under Katy.

Please contact us at midatlantic@ldsearthstewardship.org if you’d like to be on our leadership team or if you have ideas for an event (any earth stewardship is possible so long as it is safe, non-partisan and consistent with Church standards).

Katy (center) with her two oldest at the April 2024 cleanup of our native plant garden, DC Stake Center.

New name and new leadership

We’ve changed our name from Earth Stewardship East to LDS Earth Stewardship: Mid-Atlantic. This is good news as it is prompted by the fact that we now have local chapters of LDSES in Toronto and NYC so we can no longer claim the “East” as our own. (It may take a bit for us to change the FB and website to match due to technical issues.)

Becca — our new leader

Other positive news is that we have a new leader for our chapter — Becca Clement Maldonado. Becca has recently completed her PhD in entomology (congratulations!) and now has a bit more time to help us do earth stewardship. Our next event is for Earth Day — see our event post for details.

Ellen White - Thank you for leading us through the COVID time. Best wishes!

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Fall in Love

Fall in Love

Seeing the heart shaped leaves of our native redbud trees backlit by evening sun feels a bit like falling in love. Knowing that we planted these nitrogen-fixing natives in place of the invasive vines we removed brings satisfaction. Scan back to our April blog post to see these same trees in bloom and earth stewards at work at the DC Stake Center.

Special thanks to those who on their own initiative have been weeding the area. I pulled a few weeds while there but it looks very good which certainly doesn't occur without someone's effort. (Kent Mikkelsen and others, thank you!) Now that the Smiths are in Seneca Stake we’re less often at the DC Stake Center and especially appreciate those who check in periodically to care for the garden.

Native Plant Garden at DC Stake Center

Some of our volunteers after moving a mountain of mulch and ready to have Melinda’s apple tart.

Our redbuds grow

Thank you to the 13 adult volunteers and 3 children who helped at the DC Stake Center native plant garden. With permission we planted this garden in 2019 to honor Pres. James Baird of the DC Stake. On April 9, 2022, we weeded, mulched and added more native plants to prepare the area prior to the DC Temple Open House for the public. Details on coming to the open house: www.dctemple.org.

It's fun to see how the redbud trees we planted have grown from bare root seedlings to blooming trees with some 8+ feet tall.

With attentive parents on hand, it's fun to see children enthusiastically engage with nature.

Inspiration for a 5th Sunday

"How about a 5th Sunday School class titled, 'Earth Stewardship as a Principle of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ'?"

That is the question Jane Burner presented her bishop along with a typed class outline. He welcomed the idea! The class went well - experiences, insights and questions were shared among class members. Feedback was positive and encouraging.

Are you considering this idea for your ward/branch? Please read some suggestions prepared based on Jane’s experience.

1. Teach doctrine only. This is a gospel doctrine class, not a survey of environmental issues.

2. You can find content from the following resources:

a. churchofjesuschrist.org

b. newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org

c. Resource library on LDS Earth Stewardship website

3. Present a class content outline to your bishopric/branch presidency when you offer to teach. In addition to being a courtesy to them, it provides them with a preview of the content and allows for inspired feedback.

4. Keep politics and political views out of the discussion and out of all your comments. Stay on common ground: our shared doctrine. You may want to explicitly set this as a basis for discussion.

5. Focus on only 2 or 3 main ideas. Here is an example:

a. The earth is the Lord’s. He has given us the responsibility to become wise stewards.

b. We express our love of God by caring for His creations.

c. Being a wise earth steward is about loving our neighbor, both locally and globally.

6. Take time to prepare well! You will learn and your testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can grow stronger as you seek to understand the principles of earth stewardship as taught in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember, the Holy Spirit will guide you as you work for class members to be edified.

Mt. Vernon Trail

Perfect weather and the chance to meet new friends while saving trees from invasive vines -- our Mt. Vernon Trail event was a success! We started from the beautiful Mt. Vernon Latter-day Saint chapel which overlooks the Mt. Vernon Trail and the Potomac. A short walk and we were being trained by Judd Isbell on removing vines. Special thanks to Kellee Koenig for organizing this event and to Bishop Steve Richardson for allowing us to meet at the Mt. Vernon chapel parking lot, He also helped us safely cross the George Washington Parkway (orange cones and safety vest made our crossing more visible to motorists).

There’s a serious problem along the trail of invasive vines covering mature trees — often eventually smothering them to death. We learned how to cut a “window” in the vines to stop them without harming the tree by trying to pull down the vines.

Judd leads the Friends of Mt. Vernon Trail and they have similar events weekly on different sections of this 17 mile trail so particularly if you live nearby, consider helping at other events.

Brood X: 17-Year Cicadas

Cicadas are everywhere in the woods and our yards — thousands emerging every day. You’ll see their emergent holes in the ground, the abandoned exoskeletons, and adults attached to shrubs and trees. In our yard even the ferns are covered. You can not only hear the ominous buzzing in the background but if you listen close enough, there’s also a rustle sound of them emerging from the ground and climbing up through leaf litter. Please enjoy this phenomenal display of nature’s diversity. The cicadas do not bite and in general do not harm plants either — though the females will use an ovipositor to cut a slit in small branches of trees and shrubs (pencil sized limbs preferred) and lay her eggs there — I like to think of it as a free trimming job as these branches will die and most eventually drop to the ground allowing the cycle to continue as larvae return to the ground for another 17 years of eating roots.

An emerging adult cicada

Adult cicadas can be seen climbing on plants.

Learn more from University of MD entomologists http://bugoftheweek.com/

Food Gardening Basics

Merikay has created a video on the basics for starting a food garden. She’d like to claim it’s all you need to know — but part of the pleasure of gardening is that there is always more to learn. This video is enough to help you get started. Feel free to share it with others. There are a few slides at the beginning with advice from our Church leaders then details on how to select a garden location, create a garden bed, soil, plant choices, the process of planting and much more.

https://youtu.be/y0wcXs3HIhM

December - February we’ve hosted an online presentation. As we enter the busier spring season we thought it might be more helpful to get this video available online for anyone to watch at their leisure. If you’re interested in a followup Q/A session with Merikay and other gardeners, contact merikays@verizon.net.

Sustainable Eating - February's Small and Simple Step

Each month we’ll be sharing an earth stewardship challenge. This month’s is to adjust your eating in some way that is consistent with the Word of Wisdom. More details are on the LDSES website.

The blog below has the Youtube link to Ellen White’s talk to us on Sustainable Eating as well as links to multiple resources. Here she’s sharing some of her favorite recipes along with photos.

Vegetarian Crockpot Chili, https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-vegetarian-lentil-chili/
Sweet & Sour Chickpeas, https://ginabnutrition.com/2018/09/30/sweet-sour-chickpeas-vegan-gluten-free/
Chickpea Salad Sandwiches, https://peasandcrayons.com/2017/05/garden-veggie-chickpea-salad-sandwich.html
Ratatouille Spaghetti, http://wallflowerkitchen.com/one-pot-ratatouille-spaghetti-vegan-gf/
Vegan Nacho Cheese, https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2015/1/22/nacho-cheese/ Thai Buddha Bowl, https://thestingyvegan.com/thai-buddha-bowl/Vegan Pancakes, https://cookieandkate.com/simple-vegan-pancake-recipe/
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, https://bakerbynature.com/the-most-wonderful-vegan-chocolate-chip-cookies-ever/
Lentil Tacos, https://www.hauteandhealthyliving.com/vegan-lentil-tacos/

Ellen’s also written out recipes for one day: breakfast, lunch and dinner:

Simple Vegan Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 cup whole wheat or all-purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup dairy-free milk

1/2 banana, mashed OR 2 Tbsp oil

1-2 Tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until only a few lumps remain (make sure not to overmix).

2. If using an electric skillet, preheat to 350ºF. For stovetop, heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat.

3. Lightly oil your skillet and using a 1/4 cup measure, scoop batter onto the warm skillet. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, flip and cook on the other side until golden brown. Repeat for remaining batter and enjoy with whatever toppings you'd like! Makes 6-8 pancakes.

Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

Ingredients:

15oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3 stalks green onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

1/4 cup carrots, grated or shredded

1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/4 cup dill pickle, finely chopped OR relish

1/4 cup mayonnaise (vegan or regular)

1-2 tsp dijon mustard (sub for regular if you don't like dijon)

1 tsp yellow mustard

1/8 tsp dried dill

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

3 Tbsp roasted sunflower seeds (optional)

2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse chickpeas and add them to a large bowl. Mash with a potato masher or fork until texture appears flaked, like a tuna salad.

2. Chop vegetables and add to the bowl (to make it go faster, I roughly chop the celery, carrots, and bell pepper and pulse in a food processor until finely chopped).

3. Add mayo, mustard, and spices and mix thoroughly. Can be served on bread, in a wrap, with crackers, or straight from the bowl! Makes 4 servings.

*This recipe is so good and goes fast so we usually double or triple it to make sure we have leftovers.

Vegetarian Crockpot Chili

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 15oz. can diced tomatoes (with juices)

1 6oz. can tomato paste

1 15oz. can black beans, drained

1 15oz. can kidney beans, drained

1 cup uncooked brown lentils

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Black pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp coconut oil

4 cups vegetable broth

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a slow cooker and stir to combine.

2. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours. Lentils should be tender when done.

3. Add any toppings you'd like and enjoy! We like adding tortilla chips, hummus, and avocado.

Sustainable Eating

Ellen White shares scriptural and science-based information on the benefits of a diet that is more plant based in this video on “Sustainable Eating”. She shares tips for transitioning to eating less meat from her personal and family experiences. Engaging and practical, this is a talk likely to change your approach to food. We will be adding recipes from Ellen and other links soon. In the meantime, please watch this video and share with friends and family.

https://youtu.be/im_j4OdKs1w

After viewing the video (link above), Ellen suggests the following resources:
Documentaries:

Cowspiracy; Eating Animals; What the Health; The Game Changers; Forks Over Knives

Books:

The China Study by T. Colin Campbell, MD & Thomas S. Campbell, MD

How Not to Die by Michael Gregor, MD

Websites:

Forks Over Knives (forksoverknives.com)

Minimalist Baker (minimalistbaker.com)

Budget Bytes (budgetbytes.com)

Hot for Food (hotforfoodblog.com)

Recipes:

Vegan Pancakes (sub oil for 1/2 mashed banana to make them extra yummy)https://cookieandkate.com/simple-vegan-pancake-recipe/
Tofu Scramble (don’t knock it til you try it!)https://www.noracooks.com/tofu-scramble/
Red Lentil Dahl, https://veggiedesserts.com/red-lentil-dahl/

Crockpot Quinoa Tacos, https://www.chelseasmessyapron.com/crockpot-mexican-quinoa-tacos/

Sweet & Sour Chickpeas, https://ginabnutrition.com/2018/09/30/sweet-sour-chickpeas-vegan-gluten-free/

Thai Buddha Bowl, https://thestingyvegan.com/thai-buddha-bowl/

Vegetarian Crockpot Chili, https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-vegetarian-lentil-chili/

Black Bean Avocado Enchiladas, https://www.budgetbytes.com/black-bean-avocado-enchiladas/

Chickpea Salad Sandwiches, https://peasandcrayons.com/2017/05/garden-veggie-chickpea-salad-sandwich.html

Vegan Nacho Cheese, https://www.hotforfoodblog.com/recipes/2015/1/22/nacho-cheese/

Vegan Spaghetti Carbonara, https://tasty.co/recipe/vegan-spaghetti-carbonara

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies, https://bakerbynature.com/the-most-wonderful-vegan-chocolate-chip-cookies-ever/

Vegan Banana Bread, http://hellyeahitsvegan.com/vegan-banana-bread/

The Hope of Nature

The Hope of Nature

The Hope of Nature, by George Handley, former Board member of LDS Earth Stewardship, will be discussed at our next book group. Wednesday, January 6, 2021, 7:30 MT (9:30 our time).

Normally book info on this website is under the heading “Inspiration” - “Book Reviews” but this book’s discussion leader is Laurel Carroll, one of our local ESE members. I’m hoping a few of us are able to attend. Plus this is an amazing book and worth reading.

The quote (left) is from Dickinson not Handley — but it’s what always comes to my mind when I think of hope and nature. (image from Pinterest)

Creation Conscious Christmas

Becca Maldonaldo taught us in our December event to literally bring "Joy to the World," celebrating Christ's birth while caring for Creation.

Some ideas shared included basics like not buying what we don’t need or random gifts for others but try to make gifts or buy only what will be appreciated. Giving used items like a book inscribed for the recipient was an idea shared. Gifts of family history (details below), coupons for service, or gifts of music performed or art are all treasured gifts. Using recycled wrapping paper and ribbons or even using on-hand newsprint, recycled gifts bags, etc. reduces waste. Using single electric candles at windows reduces electricity use but looks festive. If you have outdoor lights, plan to use them for fewer hours on fewer days. Becca reminds us of light pollution problems for nocturnal creatures, especially insects. Create gifts and decorations using natural materials (see below).

If family and friends are willing, give gifts of donations to people in need or nonprofits making a difference in the world. (But maybe check first — I asked my Dad and he said “No way.” He wanted a gift for himself.) Becca reminds us that our earth stewardship can’t make us a Christmas Grinch. The key is to be thoughtful with a celebration focused on the gospel message of Christ’s birth.

Here's some easy Christmas projects for yourself or to make as gifts. Free or very low cost, low waste, high pleasure.

If you have children there are many fun ways to engage them in creating Christmas gifts. Here’s just one idea (and a great present for grandparents). Have a child trace his or her name on recycled cloth then stitch into an ornament. Optional: add a photo of the child to the other side of the ornament. Decorate with ribbon (recycled or already on hand if possible).

There are lots of wonderful gifts you can do for family and friends related to family history. One year I wrote a short history about various ancestors and shared with family members. My dad has written stories about his childhood memories for Christmas, a treasure. Another year my parents created photo albums (pre-digital) for us. There are lots of options and most are super high in value but low in creating waste.

Share Family Stories and Pictures

• Family photo album with pictures of you and family members through the years

• Stories of your childhood and young adult years

• Summary histories of individual ancestors

• Audio or video recording of your memories

Need Resources?

• FamilySearch.org – secure place for memories, stories and documents

• The Family History Guide - https://www.thefhguide.com/ - activities for children

• https://www.Wdcfhc.org – Virtual zoom classes; “Generations” newsletter - research tips

• Roots Tech February 25-27, 2021 – Free – sign up at FamilySearch.org

Ideas to use local plants to create gifts and decorations. Get creative — these are just the tip of possibilities.

1. Take a candle holder and circle it with a mix of short branches of evergreen or other plants. Pickup ornaments, etc. at yard sales or thrift stores -- and recycle ribbon from others. Fresh fruit can also be added and eaten later. Only light a candle within a safe container -- I once set candles on a plastic stand that melted and started a small fire! (Luckily it was outside.)

2. Create a wreath. See magnolia leaf wreath (partially made in photo) or my red wreath (purchased for almost nothing pre-used) that gets a new set of branches and dried flowers from the garden each year. No glue, just shove cut branches in and they help hold each other in place. Can also use twine or recycled ribbon to tie on a few base branches into which others are set.

3. Decorate mantels or shelves with cut branches. Simply set in place. Easy. Can set lights down first if desired. If using lights or candles use care — stay in the room when lit as a fire precaution.

Since we're thinking of ways to minimize impact (reduce, reuse, recycle): all decor items on the pink fireplace photo are from yard sales including framed art, candle holders, cut-glass bowls, etc. Only the gold ornaments were store bought. Even candles are second-hand! For the other the lovely wood vases were made by my grandpa, the painting by a sister, the wood candle holders and vase -- yard sales. I'm laughing as I think about it. Even the stocking with my name on it -- my mom recycled this stocking from one of her aunts who did not have children. She took off "Lola" and put on "Merikay".

4. Get Christmas tree branches for free where Christmas trees are sold. Use these branches to create decorations for stair railings or outdoor fencing, etc. For a stairway you can use twine, electric lights, or anything long to wind around the bannister first, then tuck the cut branches into this. It’s fast and easy. Lots of variations but the key is to use natural materials. Fresh greens also bring a real Christmas tree scent. I recycle the same ribbons year after year — plump up each year.

Use appropriate tools to cut. Photo below shows how you wrap the lights then slide the cut branches into place under the light wire. Fast and easy to put up and take down.

5. Tie or wire together branches for a door — doesn’t have to be wreath style. Can simply hang down — with a variety of plant textures and some pinecones, this can be lovely and look informal. A way to highlight the beauty of evergreens.

6. Use a variety of cut branches for fill empty flowerpots. Just trim back plants (it’s a good time to do this) and stick into potting soil of pot. For height and color use native plants like winterberry, red-twig and yellow-twig dogwood. Use contrasting colors and textures. (Photo above, far right, is from Mt. Cuba; others mine)

Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

7. Turn metal tomato cages upside down, tie or wire the top together and use as a metal Christmas tree frame. Set on a porch or on top of a large pot (to add height). Wrap wire frame with lights if desired. Then use cut branches (either all of one type or a mix) sliding them into place with short ones on top, long on the bottom. It’s easiest to start with the bottom and work up. Slide stems under and between the lights and metal frame. You could wrap with twine, recycled ribbon or string with cranberries. It takes about 30 minutes to make a tree and is a lovely gift, especially for someone who may not have another Christmas tree. (After Christmas reuse lights and tomato cage.) There are hundreds of examples online.

Below are photos for a tree designed to attract birds. Star on top is a suet feeder. If you do this style, be sure to clip any wire if used so it is not poking out to hurt birds. Ornaments are made of popcorn, real cranberries, bird seed and peanut butter on pinecones.

https://www.birdsandblooms.com/backyard-projects/diy-bird-feeder/tomato-cage-christmas-tree-birds/

Make fake real.

8. Take a small artificial tree (I have several that were being thrown out by others) and add cut branches of holly, pine or fir (any mix of interesting natural matter) and slide into the fake tree. Pretty soon all you see are the living branches. Takes only about 5 minutes to do. Makes a lovely table top decoration or a gift. I don’t bother to wire in any branches since I pull them out and compost after the holidays then store the fake tree as a frame for next year — I save with the ornaments and lights on so it’s very easy to redo the next year.

Below are before/after photos of an artificial tree with and without extra real branches.

Terri Pitts recycles her cards into gift boxes (photo above).

To listen to the Dec. 13 discussion: https://youtu.be/6qt0I1x5G8E

Sorry, but the first few minutes weren’t recorded but introduced LDSES’ mission and scriptures related to Creation. The video starts while Becca shares about Sharon Eubank’s recent talks to LDSES and ways that ties to our choices for Christmas.

Additional ideas are shared by Joanna Bjerga:

https://www.jojobjerga.com/.../29/my-zero-wastish-christmas/

Missionaries as Earth Stewards

Young missionaries who were serving around the world have returned to the US due to COVID and many are currently serving in our area. They are available during the day to do community service. If you know of earth stewardship that needs to be done in your area and would be suitable for missionaries (like trash pickups), please let me know. If you’re willing to do the service with the missionaries that would be best. We would need to list the events on JustServe and get official approval but I’ve done it three times now for five sets of missionaries — takes a bit of advance planning but it’s worth it. These are such great young men and women who want to have a positive impact. Check out our FB page for more photos of the elders and sisters who served.

Passionate about Earth Stewardship

Joe Richardson shared his heart-felt desire to care for Creation as he gave us a tour of Bar-T Mountainside. Directing us to read Drawdown (see http://eartheast.org/book-reviews), he showed us 19 acres of wildflowers, a wind turbine, solar panels, and other eco-friendly projects then taught us about ways to do stormwater management on a grand scale. He showed us rain gardens, swales, berms to direct water, engineered holding/cascading areas with extensive native plants, and more. Many of these techniques can be done on home properties in a small-scale way but if done collectively, can make a huge immprovement in creating habitat and preserving/improving the quality of our streams, rivers and the Bay.

Click photo above to see additional pictures of the stream restoration area.

Building Bridges

President Nelson asks us to build bridges of racial understanding not walls.

At Earth Stewardship East we have a deep respect for people of all races and hope through our care of the earth to protect our shared home. Our Pleasant View project is one way we are building bridges of racial understanding. If you have not yet helped at this project, you are welcome to come as an individual or family and create beautiful habitat on an historic African American site.

We will always be proactively inclusive in who we invite to join our events and in where we choose to do earth stewardship. Please, if you are not yet a member join us and invite others as well -- with mindfulness to include people of diverse backgrounds.

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

We have 7 Jack (or Jill) in-the-pulpits currently growing in our shade garden at Pleasant View. This photo was taken at Pleasant View in mid-May. If you walk in the woods this time of year you're also likely to see them.

Jack-in-the-pulpit prefers shady moist, deciduous woods. If you can create similar conditions in your garden the plant will thrive. A long lived perennial (25+ years), it will spread and colonize over time. There are Asian species but I prefer our native Jack/Jill.

Check out extensive info on other native plants here.

Jack-in-the-pulpits are dioecious, meaning it has male and female flowers on different plants, thus Jack or Jill. Not only that, but depending on how healthy the plant is, it will change its sex: it can produce no flowers, male flowers, or female flowers from one year to the next. Because producing fruit takes the most energy, only very healthy plants produce female flowers. Typically, female flowers are borne on plants with two leaves. Male flowers take less energy to produce and they are typically borne on plants with only one leaf.

The two most noticeable parts of the Jack “flower” are the hood (the pulpit) and Jack himself, inside the pulpit. The pulpit is technically a spathe, which is a type of bract that often encloses the flower. (Like the dogwood bracts which most of us call 'flowers'.) Inside, “Jack” is technically called a spadix which is “a spike with small flowers crowded on a thickened axis.” See photos.

One feature to note is the small hole at the bottom of the inflorescence, right where the bract meets the stem, on male Jack-in-the-pulpits. The tentacle-y bits are the stamens which produce pollen. Apparently, the flowers emit an odor that mimics the scent of fungus, which attracts small flies and gnats. The hooded spathe, with lines that guide insects toward the bottom and lighter coloration at the bottom, lures insects in.

This is where that hole at the bottom of the bract comes in handy. On the male flowers, the gnats roam around and get coated in pollen… but most eventually find their way out via that hole. In the female flower, there’s no exit hole, and the insects may never find their way out, ensuring pollination.

Photos from https://roadsendnaturalist.com/…/jack-or-jill-in-the-pulpit/.

More details:

https://www.fs.fed.us/…/plant-of-…/arisaema_triphyllum.shtml

Honoring WWII Veteran Thompkins Hallman

For Memorial Day let me introduce you to Thompkins Hallman who served in the South Pacific during WWII. Now in his mid-90s, Thompkins has helped Earth Stewardship East at multiple Pleasant View events. (Photo shows Thompkins talking about the segregated school at Pleasant View. Besides sharing first-hand history but Thompkins brings a shovel and helps in our native garden too.)

Thompkins went to Papua New Guinea on the Monticello, a troop transport ship after training in Ft. Lee, VA. He was originally with a company called the Railroad Company assigned to unload ships of supplies. They were an all black unit with a white officer (though by the end of the war there were black officers leading black units). Thompkins also served in the Philippines, Tokyo and Yokohama. Thompkins says he was fortunate that when they learned he was a good typist and had worked for the Quartermaster General in DC at Buzzard's Point, he was transferred to work at the headquarters in Papua New Guinea. Though safer, it also meant he was separated from his unit and the men he knew.

Thompkins had orders to be with the invading forces entering Japan but because of the atomic bomb was able to enter a bit later with occupying forces.

I asked Thompkins if there were problems having white officers for an all-black unit. He said there was one incident he remembers. The men were supposed to have a sunrise service and the all-black units gathered with their black chaplain and waited and waited for the white officers so they could start. But the officers never came. They had held a separate service earlier and purposely did not include the black servicemen or their chaplain. Thompkins said their chaplain was very disappointed and distressed. "A horrible thing to do, really."

Thompkins returned to the US through San Francisco and Camp Pendleton. There were so many troops in the West they decided to fly some back East, including Thompkins. He got to stop in Salt Lake City and also Chicago where he remembers a white sailor treating him to a banana split, a simple act of kindness remembered 75+ years.

Earth Day is Every Day at Bar-T

I visited the 115 acre campus of Bart-T Meadowside where Joe Richardson, the owner, showed me the massive wetlands restoration they have just completed. I also saw their multiple roof solar panels, wind turbine, storage batteries, geothermal system and composting toilets. They have a one-acre fenced area for food gardening where youth are taught to plant, sow and eat organic vegetables and fruit. They do composting too, of course.

In the massive stream restoration project they've planted ~1,000 trees. A video of Joe talking about the project is posted on our FB page. https://www.facebook.com/LDSEarthStewardshipEast/videos/513159686019004/

Joe is a member of LDS Earth Stewardship and has offered to host an event for us in July (COVID permitting). For info on “Lunch Out of Landfills" — another hugely impactful stewardship effort of Joe, see our “Stewardship” section.

Earth Day from BYU Students

Enjoy this lovely short video from BYU students.

Earth Day 2020 with LDS Earth Stewardship

LDS Earth Stewardship

We would love for you to prepare for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with us! These seven invitations over the next two weeks are intended to help you and your loved ones have a meaningful celebration, as well as draw attention to our fundraiser. Please participate and share with us what you do!

For more and updated info, check back on our Earth Day page on our website throughout the next two weeks: https://ldsearthstewardship.org/…/news-…/2873-earth-day-2020

#EverySaintASteward #EarthDay2020