Upon my recent walks through the Redstone pines, I really started to appreciate all that this site does for the students of UVM. Though this patch of trees and grass is not the purest, most natural site in Burlington, It provides an illusion of nature that allows many people around campus to temporarily escape their responsibilities, and the stresses of college life. Every day there are people hammocking, talking, doing homework, or even just taking pictures at the pines. Since the human presence at my site has increased, the amount of wildlife in the area has plummeted. The squirrels are still around, but Iv’e seen no rabbits since this winter.
Redstone pines is experiencing a transition, it is shifting towards a less independent and natural site, and becoming more of a resource, at least to the students of UVM. The amount of people present at this point is really a testament to how my peers interact with nature. The smallest, most manufactured, tainted glimpse of natural beauty instantly rallied the entirety of redstone to get outside and enjoy the sun and trees. In this way, I think the culture around campus actually overwhelms the natural presence at my site, but it is the natural aspect of redstone pines that brings people outside and leads to interaction. Interaction means the sharing of culture, therefore I believe it is the accessibility that comes with redstone pines, that really impacts the spring culture here.
I’ve been visiting this site for almost a year now, and I can safely say that I don’t feel any more connected to this place than any of my fellow students. However, I feel as if I understand our appreciation, and relationship with this place more than most others. In some situations, I feel that my observations, and analysis of this site makes it harder to enjoy. Ignorance really is bliss, and it would likely be a lot easier to enjoy the “natural beauty” of this spot, if I hadn’t spent hours upon hours thinking about why redstone pines is not in any sense “natural.”
Recent Comments