In the early 20th century, John D. Rockefeller Jr. donated two million dollars to preserve and protect 10,000 acres of old growth redwoods in Bull Creek Flats, California. Because of him this forest, which now hosts the world's tallest tree, has never been touched by the logger's axe.
When I was a child playing in this magical forest, I thought of it as my own personal park. As a young adult, I was enraged when I saw a sign designating it Rockefeller Forest. I knew nothing of Rockefeller's bountiful donation. I just wondered how this city slicker from New York could claim what in my heart was my own personal property? Looking back on my ire, I realize I had not yet outgrown the isolationist suspicion of strangers I had learned growing up in Whitethorn.
Bless John D. Rockefeller Jr. !
Copyright 2009 Sharon Porter Moxley
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1 comment:
Wish Rockefeller Forest was farther north. It's a real drive from north Oregon. As you can see on this page, I spend most time in the north redwoods:
Large Coast Redwoods of Northern California
6 hours is pretty easy to do for a drive to Jed Smith redwoods. We were just 2 hours east up until last June.
Cheers,
MDV
Oregon
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