Our Good News story today is on the Wildlife Land Trust, something that should be at the top of every good steward of creation’s radar. It is a caring for creation naturally & responsibly, with both human and non-human species considered in the outcome.

I live in a small township called Switzerland, located on State Road 13 along the St. Johns River in St. John County, Florida. The highway was designated as a “scenic highway” by the State of Florida, because of its natural beauty of 100s of acres of old oaks, river views and wild flora and fauna. It is a taste of old Florida complete with lots of Spanish moss blowing in the cool river breezes. State Road 13 is also part of something incredibly historic…the Bartram Trail. Less than a quarter-mile from my home runs part of American history.

William Bartram, born 1739, was America’s first native born naturalist who journeyed into the Southeastern United States (before the United States existed) keeping a journal of the 18^th century southern natural environment both written and artistically captured.

The Bartram Trail runs from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to Florida and from Louisiana to the South Carolina shoreline.

On the highway by my home stands a monument with a quote from William Bartram….one that truly sums up the spirit of the man. It reads:

“My chief happiness consisted in tracing and admiring, the infinite power, majesty and perfection of the Creator.” (William Bartram Traced 1773-1777 Deep South Region)

I find that quote to be especially poignant to me as founder of this web site. I can absolutely relate to Bartram’s exhortation and admiration. I live in a beautiful area of Florida that was once a truly pristine corridor of natural beauty. But, recent years have seen the massive growth of new housing developments and one particularly large development that is in progress on what was once timberland for a “large” paper company. No land trust there, the real estate dollar in Florida is god.

Yet, in spite of the development, we are still keeping some wild life neighbors; deer, turkey, bobcats, otters, rabbits, possums and raccoons, though not as populated as before. I treasure this little bit of land that our family lives on and will always welcome the wild neighbors to a sanctuary of kindness.

William Bartram, mentor to the first generation of America’s naturalists, you respected your surroundings in true Christian stewardship. Maybe we could all take a lesson from your walks through the South, as you acknowledged God in all that you saw, and conveyed in artistic beauty and eloquent words your affirmation of love to the Creator of us all!

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK:

John and William Bartram: Travelers in Early America

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