Perspective . . .

by John Smith

Sometimes I get on our Gator ATV, ride out into the land, and when the urge moves me, turn off the engine, and just sit. Almost always, in the next 10-15 minutes or so, something interesting will happen. Maybe I'll catch a glimpse of a Cooper's Hawk perched on a limb. Sometimes, my eye will settle on the gnarled bark of a deeply furrowed Crack Willow. Other times, sitting by a stream, my ears will pick up different sounds coming, stereophonically, from different places in the stream - water flowing over rocks here, trickling there - mingled voices in a soundscape. My attention focuses, deepens, and soon melds into pleasure. Interest / attention leads to pleasure / emotion.

Pleasure coming from beauty is different. (Beauty is, perhaps, a bit strong for talking about experiences occurring in a natural environment – let’s call those experiences aesthetic.) And before we talk about responses to natural environments, let’s talk a little more about such environments, themselves. The natural environments I am talking about are those like ChicoryLane – ecological reserves. A protected area set aside to conserve ecosystems, wildlife, and natural features. I would add human beings to the list of wildlife creatures served, at least in the sense of invoking serenity, their sense of self in a place, moments of contemplation. Larger reserves – sometimes hundreds of square miles – are places where ecologists can do science, study ranges, interactions and preferences of species, etc. Small reserves on the scale of a hundred acres like ChicoryLane are up close and personal.

Our engagement with ChicoryLane as an ecological reserve is trying to help it to be the best version of itself that it can. We are trying to enhance the land. We do so in several small ways. We first note what is already here, especially native plant species. Those that are viewed as beneficial, we try to increase. If similar species are not present, we often introduce new ones in similar circumstances to increase diversity. Not helpful or invasive species, we try to decrease, since we are unlikely to be successful in eliminating them entirely. We confess to favoring species we prefer or find interesting or attractive, but we try to let ecological balance prevail and to keep the “look” natural.”

Back to beauty, or the aesthetic. Aesthetic pleasure occurs in a way different from interest pleasure. Aesthetic pleasure is more likely to take place in a single moment. In a single glance. A cluster of Asters, nicely framed by native goldenrod. A single stalk of blue Lobelia on a sunny day, alone and just right for one eyeful. A path leading up a hillside, viewed full on as a tunnel, going into an unknown at the top. These are moments, perceived in an instant, perhaps followed by a brief, reflexive survey of its parts, until quickly settling into its whole. Aesthetic comes from what is felt to be just right.

ChicoryLane is not a garden, not even a natural one. It is a natural environment that has responded to attention and effort. It is place capable of giving pleasure. A place capable of engaging one's interest and imagination. A place capable of providing aesthetic experiences. We hope you will take part in one or more of our future events. If it sounds like a place you would like to visit, please get in touch, as described below.

October Walk . . .

by Catherine Smith

Morning sun glows through fog and blue sky appears as I walk at ChicoryLane. I am surrounded by seasonal change. 

On wetland hillsides, wild trees, shrubs, and vines hang with fruit.

Mushrooms push up in shady places.

In open fields, native grasses sway as drying tree leaves click and whisper in a soft wind.

Late-season abundance flourishes in gardens. By the farmhouse door, curling brown ferns crowd into the green.

Yet, among all the Fall finishing Spring is quietly beginning. As this year’s visible plant life withdraws, next year’s is already showing up.

Pictured right: Blue Sky, Crabapple, Arrowwood Viburnum, Puffball Mushroom

Pictured above: Indiangrass, Ferns, Amanita Mushrooms, Mullein

ChicoryLane Board Meeting

The Board will meet for its biennial meeting November 14, 2024, at 6PM. The meeting will take place at the Penns Valley YMCA, 115 Streamside Place, Spring Mills, PA 16875, and is expected to end no later than 8:30PM. The meeting is open to the public and will include an opportunity for attendees to make brief comments. A business meeting - the agenda will include reports on the overall status of the organization as well as finances and activities. It will conclude with a brief closed Executive Session.

"Walking Willow" at ChicoryLane in Summer

ChicoryLane is an ecological reserve near Spring Mills, protected by a Conservation Easement held by Clearwater Conservancy. It is 68 acres of very diverse lands that we are actively enhancing ecologically. We hold outdoor events throughout the year.

The landscape is natural, but scenic. It includes wetlands and meadows, several streams, remnant and successional forests, and a grassland. This diversity of habitats is especially inviting to birds and butterflies. A system of mowed trails makes most of it accessible to walkers.

If you wish to visit ChicoryLane, email us a request including the time, date, and number in your group.

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