To Squash Or Not To Squash - Musings On Invasive Species

[@paulgroth3345]

May your comments reside in the hearts and minds of all the people of this land. I fear my age will not allow me to continue to do the work that you were speaking of as I have tried to all my life. At 76 I live in the woods and a 12x16 cabin trying to be a part of the land rather than make the land a part of me. Strength and long life be yours forever.

[@markjones5561]

"trying to be a part of the land rather than make the land a part of me "...Beautiful

[@iamthatiam6005]

Praising GOD HEAVENLY FATHER for the land embracing every breath of air , giving thanks we still have some places to maybe not breathing toxins comical or drinking & bathen waters, foods , ect.. After all Heavenly Father has created man from dust/ dirt , Mother Earth . thank you Adam for sharing

[@iamthatiam6005]

Fear doesn't come from age , I DECREE AND DECLARE you shall live a full healthy complete life in the Mighty Name Of Jesus🙏 I renounce every spirit of fear. I command you to leave go in the Name of Jesus 🙏 I bind and cancel out every lying spirit in the name of Jesus. I command every plan trick tactics snare and strategy of satan again you to be canceled out destroyed. I ask now holy spirit FIRE burn disintegrate every evil spirits in Jesus name, you shall not die a premature death , I DECREE AND DECLARE You Shall Continue To stand in full agreement and in full alignment with every word God has already written and has spoken about you and your own Destiny in the books of Heaven In JESUS name AMEN

[@Vbluevital]

Thank You for choosing to live consciously with nature.

[@valenfitzen]

I'm 67 and live in a 12 x 16 cabin, building a food forest around me. We continue as long as we can, doing what we can. I have a wild broth simmering on the stove right now, all picked from my yard this morning. Keep on keeping on.

[@alanseamans7973]

This gets my award for video presentation of the year (perhaps even decade). To have the intelligence, wisdom, and courage to shine a bright light on our blatant hypocrisy in such a clear, balanced and logical form is priceless. The discouraging thing is I know Adam will get a lot of biased and emotional pushback, not based on facts but on prejudices (Dogma) which people don’t want to give up. Bravo Adam!

[@bfboobie]

I'd like to second Alan Seaman's statement and contribute my award for presentation of the year and perhaps decade as well. Very well done Mr. Harrington. We are indeed sharing the virtue of your work. A voice of reason on behalf of humanity and our mother earth. Your work is well needed especially in this information age. The lessons on natural history, food and medicine are award winning quality and this latest presentation is a crowning achievement along the way.

[@yasodamensah2723]

I agree with you absolutely. I think a word Adam could have used was "personalism", The Native Americans had a "personal" relationship with the land, they worked with it in a mutually supportive way and not as an object for exploitation. As a civilization we think we are evolving, actually we are devolving, it is only our manipulatipn of technology that prevents us from seeing how badly off we really are.

[@matthewh117]

I wish I could've said like you did. Thank you.

[@Hydrosized]

Very well said!

[@Vbluevital]

@@yasodamensah2723 Devolving sums up realities truth.

[@Maxaldojo]

Thanks for this, Adam. As a conservation professional in Northern Ohio, these are topics we face, discuss, make decisions about on a daily basis. I need to watch this a few more times to get the full message. That being said, I appreciate the thoughtfulness that you put into your videos.

[@lukecarroll19]

Ohio 😂

[@Maxaldojo]

@@lukecarroll19 Yep. Whatchu got?

[@FridayDies]

I don't usually make it through an entire video , this is the best video you made yet. Great job , this needs to be said. Thank you

[@AaronCTodd]

Thank you, Adam, for offering this refreshing perspective: much to consider and to challenge our mindsets.

[@chefgiovanni]

Exactly. And we all love the mention @ 5:31 is fact. Supporting that horrible company hurts the environment, just look at those nasty large warehouses and fleets of filthy trucks on the roads. Shop small biz.

[@jeffpaul7420]

Something that isn't mentioned in this video is biodiversity. Many non-native and even invasive species can be a decent food source for insects, but many species need specific native plants as larval hosts. Here in Niagara we have seen a massive decline in biodiversity in wild spaces in part because of the success of invasive species. Really great video. Very thought provoking. Thanks.

[@jardinardennais4355]

Why those "invasive" species had success? Those new species are not the reason of the problem but a part of the solution. A proof of a change in ecosystem. The new "invasive" plants set in because the "native ones" can no longer live or adapt to new geo-ecosystem. It might be caused by some geological or physical processes we do not understand today...

[@jeffpaul7420]

@@jardinardennais4355 although I understand what you are saying and it's a nice idea, I completely disagree. I understand the stance of let nature be nature, it's always in flux and things change and that's not necessarily a bad thing (and yes, some new plants can be a good addition to an area, very true). The problem with that mentality is that it leaves out a really critical part of the equation... The fact that humans have been impacting nature in harmful ways for a long time. We are only now starting to try to combat climate change and it's a real fight because we let these harmful acts go unchecked for way too long. Many of the invasive species have not only been brought over planted but are being widely cultivated by humans. And I have already discussed the biodiversity issue. So I get where you are coming from and I respect your point and view... But I can't buy it for a second... Especially because we are already seeing clear issues right here in my own area.

[@Vbluevital]

Agreeing, you're both in agreement.

[@ewe392]

​@@jeffpaul7420 what about species cultivated by insects and such?

[@lorrainegatanianhits8331]

I agree, the point you made about niche organisms and their even more niche associates that depend upon them is the biggest reason why I believe nativism should not be discarded entirely.

[@LarryD683]

Such a great video! I was struck by your question of whether each one of us feels they need the land and the living landscape; and how clearly it shows, like a perfect mirror, that most do not feel this need on a day-to-day level -- to our detriment. Thanks.

[@oleopathic]

Adam is getting into topics of philosophy, economics, sociology, and others while discussing ecological topics. To have such breadth of understand the man must possess wisdom. It is for this reason I hope that many years from now when he is gone he will be recognized not just as a biologist but as a leader and a philosopher.

[@DavidJVMusic]

thanks Adam! I wish more people would think like you do, it would improve soooo many things!

[@justintrama5557]

Dude I just want to go camping with you! Love your videos and love the mindset. You're right, in their own minds they don't need it, so much false security. The idea that dirt and rocks are gross and the woods are scary is one of the greatest travesties of human history, a mindset produced by greed that will continue to morph our planet into something it has never been before.

[@michaela.wilson8264]

Noice 😁😺🍿💕💯

[@emcee6152]

Greed has little to do with it. Apathy, sloth, complacency, incuriousness and fear of the unknown is why people don't get into the woods.

[@justintrama5557]

@@emcee6152 I’ll have to disagree with you there, all the conditions you named are a result of lifelong programming via a system created and maintained by greed. Books, tv, movies, marketing of any kind, have conditioned you to go to the grocery store to buy that lettuce, just like it conditioned your parents. You might get hurt in the woods! Or run into a bear! Apathy, sloth, incuriousness, fear are byproducts of the training, complacency is just a human trait. Greed doesn’t just apply to the pharma side as you referenced in your other comment. You were created to be the battery that runs the system, not just in one facet but all facets of the system.

[@tactfulredneck3937]

Agreed hanging with Adam would be awesome lol

[@veronikanadtochii2844]

I'm Russian. Only here in America I found out that people are scared of woods, mushrooms, nature.. This guy is doing such a great job of changing this approach! Forest is your friend!! Wild mushrooms and berries are the best food ever, making you healthy and strong (just learn how to identify them!) And let nature to do it's work! Don't confront it! This is not our job.

[@barthamburg4351]

In my opinion definitely one of your best videos ever. Thank you Adam

[@groceriesforsale8169]

Bravo once again Adam. You moved me to tears with this one. This is so important.

[@ravenregards]

Totally Totally agree with you. (Not sure about those blue jays at the beginning of your video. 🙂) Even here in rural America I'm amazed at how people are so oblivious to what the land does for us and how we need the land. I am dismayed when I see cities continue to sprawl and you see all the abandoned properties such as shopping centers, etc. whose land could be reused, but instead we just clear/destroy more "new" land. This nation needs a "Learn Your Land" agency with you at its head. Thanks so much for your thoughts and wisdom.

[@lzmash3]

Always love your perspective, thoughts and research you put into your work. Appreciate you!

[@cassandraclaman3776]

This video needs to be seen and heard by everyone. You are, among many things, an astute and sentient philosopher. Thank you!

[@hazelmartin7911]

Well said. I hope people will be open enough to consider this.

[@PracticalLifeSkillz]

We love you Adam. Keep making the world a better place. Namaste 🖤

[@karenurbanski5034]

Wow, Adam, Thank you! This is one of your best videos. To answer your question . . . Yes, I do need the land. Not only for food and medicinals, but for grounding (no pun intended). A walk through nature, or even driving and appreciating the Earth's gift of beauty is soul fulfilling.

[@dorothy.e.d]

This is a wonderful video and a catalyst for some powerful thoughts. Thank you, Adam.

[@michaelwilliams4790]

Well said, Adam. I appreciate the attempt to articulate a nuanced position even if it's still a work in progress. This will contribute to the conversation!

[@christinebuckley451]

Hey Adam... glad to have met you several times years ago at Whole Foods. 🌿😍. Living by natural law! Doing no unnecessary harm to another being. Easy... simplicity.....most will never have this conversation with themselves, let alone with others (because of the so called "norm"). I've seen this for nearly 15 years now. Humans try and control everything. Nature heals itself. Always has, always will. I'm a voice of living vegan for nearly 15 years also. Living consciously! Heart knowing awareness... true beauty🌿. May all beings live free and be loved and respected... Much love to ALL❣ GRATITUDE 🤗

[@heatherthomas7545]

This made me laugh, made me think, made me agree. Thank goodness for people like you out here in the information space.

[@DaveKraft1]

You are absolutely, positively spot on with your analysis! Thank you for saying this out loud -- something that millions do not want to hear, let alone discuss.

[@jonathanrichardson122]

Good video all around, Adam. What I would like to point out is that you failed to mention what is considered by most wildlife scientists I know to be the biggest factor, and that is foliar consumption by insects. If you are out in any given location, you will notice, and this has been studied, (look at the work by Doug Tallamy at the University of Delaware), that the leaves of invasive plants are far less often shown to be eaten by the insects. This means the insects have to go elsewhere for food or just will not be able to survive and reproduce. Insects are a fundamental aspect of our ecosystems, and without them we are witnessing a trophic cascade.

[@beckyhughesmcmillen2027]

I always love your videos and appreciate when you question norms. My farmstead is located in a semi-arid part of the United States. I see the effects of climate change everyday. I worked in the invasive species arena as a documentary filmmaker for many years and saw the destruction wrought by hatred of plants and trees. It really does all come down to money on both sides of the debate.

[@clarencerswann1360]

A very thoughtful, yet poignant commentary. You certainly made me reconsider some things. Very grateful for your work and obvious passion for the living. Truly salt of the earth.

[@templarfarmer7755]

Adam is the salt >> and all the gems rolled into one!!

[@Blade5019]

For quite a while now, every time there is a Japanese Beetle in the yard I say live another day. You didn't ask to be here. Interesting and informative as always. Thanks, Adam.

[@ConnieLowell]

Bravo!! So thoughtful and articulate. For me, this is a call to action to stop, consider and change my behaviors. Thank you for the better informed perspective!

[@tactfulredneck3937]

So glad to see another video your channel means alot to me I really appreciate you I wouldn't know the things I know or be inspired in the way that I am to be a mycologist if it weren't from you Adam

[@sonniskies7686]

I really appreciate your perspective and obvious love for the ecosystems we share across the world. Thank you for being you!

[@pparker5113]

YES ADAM, BRILLIANTLY DONE!!!! Taking it a step you alluded to, we non-indigenous folks should be identified as very, very invasive and destructive, yet we loose that perspective regularly and the insights it could bring. The discussion is complicated and fraught with emotions. This piece is very thought provoking. Thank you.

[@michelem9341]

Yes. But the “indigenous” people were at one time not of this land. Let’s take it to the farthest perspective.

[@robertmcmanus636]

@@michelem9341 Well, yes... maybe... Their origin myths disagree with that view. And at any rate, the origin of Native Americans is so obscured by the mists of time, almost geologic time, that their presence here is pretty much equivalent to the native ecosystems of the Americas. Most of what we see in the upper midwest, for example, has evolved in the last 10-12,000 years since the end of the last glaciation. And even then it was a fluid situation, as it continues to be. Dates for the presence of humans in the New World are continually being pushed back into the far, far past.

[@AlphaQHard]

Yeah, cause the natives were totally non destructive 😂

[@robertmcmanus636]

@@AlphaQHard Such a nuanced view.

[@billiverschoore2466]

@@michelem9341 the "indigenous" folks touched the land in a véry different way than "we" did - and do, with destruction and a barge pole... 🌳🕊💚

[@carto4028]

Very wise of you sir, you've said a lot of things I thought about for years without the proper words to convey and you've opened my eyes on some other things too.

[@debk9984]

Amen brilliant soul! You are amazing! Thank you for speaking the much needed truth! 🍁🍂🦋🪳🐛🌳

[@nathankelly7259]

Keep making these videos Adam…very much appreciated. Definitely needed to be said 👍🏼

[@stonerubber]

"The land is a mirror." So true. Just as we are a mirror of our environment. Thanks for this video.

[@outbackwack368]

Wow, the aspects you highlight resonate on so many levels. I couldn't agree more. Thank you! Many varieties of flora that is generally considered NATIVE now was once NON-NATIVE.

[@WildGoddess44]

Just - wow! You are a brave and bright soul. You speak truth and wisdom and open people's minds to new perspectives. All of these things - and more - needed to be said at this time. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Nothing I’ve seen in many years makes me think more deeply about myself and my surroundings than your videos Adam. Thank you very much. 👍👍👌

[@timfowler4642]

What a brilliant exposition of this topic. Very introspective and important for considering our place in this grand creation. Love the analogy from little love story from Solomon. Keep up the fight to educate us hard heads. We will eventually get it!

[@LiseFracalossi]

This is beautiful, Adam. I have been surprised to find native plant and/or invasive eradication communities full of toxicity and ignorance, and I think you're put your finger on the heart of why. These are complex questions, and I think a lot of the people in the native plant space (but certainly not all) don't have the necessary relationship with the natural world to see the problem of invasive species holistically. For example, I've heard people vilify Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota) without realizing it's the same species as the common carrot, or that nearly all the vegetables we eat in North America are non-natives. I've heard cries of "save the bees!" next to "destroy non-natives!" not realizing that the honeybee, Apis mellifera, is not a native species, and that the things that are helpful to honeybees may not be helpful to bumblebees or halictid bees or any of the beautiful variety of native bees of North America. I very much agree re: habitat, too, and it breaks my heart whenever I see ground being broken for a new housing development, knowing it will soon turn into a thicket of multiflora rose and bittersweet. But OTOH, there's an estimated shortage of 6 million houses in the U.S.! I want forests, but also want people to have affordable places to live. Can we reconcile this? Or is it a matter of holding the contradictions in our head?

[@willymags123]

Thank you Adam I always look forward to your videos always so jam-packed full of education that one can use in everyday life. Till next time, God bless

[@patcoleman]

Thank you Adam for being willing to share this important viewpoint.

[@billiverschoore2466]

beautiful thumbnail you have there, Pat 🌳🕊💚

[@adolfreynolds]

Great perspective and thanks for sharing your thoughts. Most of us unfortunately are not even self aware of who they are much less conscious about the land.

[@argentvixen]

Rock on, Adam. You blew me away with this one. These are thoughts I have been trying to articulate for a long time and then, Bam!, you concisely knocked it out of the park. Thank you.

[@TheyCallTheWindMariah]

Thank you for bringing this subject to light! We need to talk about subjects like this a lot more. One love 💚

[@coolvidsdotcompets2751]

very refreshing to hear. I've had a lot of these thoughts and it is often times alienating when talking with others that bring up the "dreaded" invasives. Thanks for making me feel less alone.

[@BMazeing]

If someone gets triggered by this presentation, it's definitely on them. This was eloquent and logical.

[@billbarnes9718]

Adam Harrison for President 2024! Great video my brother. If more people had your insight and outlook this world would be a much better place.

[@dianekistner7650]

Such important questions and observations, Adam. Thank you for putting them out there.

[@mytreasurechess]

The struggle continues 😢 and very grateful to everyone participating with you who keep focus, perspective, knowledge and wisdom rolling on with Hope!

[@missmartpants2269]

God bless!

[@frankcowan6625]

Thank you again, Adam. This talk has made me feel diffrent about what it is to be invasive and native. Hugs.

[@ScottWConvid19]

This video could have been titled "Addressing Contradictions In Our Worldview" Not only does this point out and address cognitive dissonance and hypocrisy in the arena of the native habitat/ invasive species positions that many (including myself) have held, but it also touches on a very important method of rethinking what we believe from a much broader perspective. This kind of ideological evolution can (and oftentimes does) lead to understanding with a much more open minded view and can ultimately lead to discovering greater truths and turning friends into enemies, because people become emotionally invested into their worldview and will not be convinced otherwise, come hell or high water

[@terryallaway5881]

This is one of the top ten of your videos, if not the top! Great to hear a conversation about this, especially to point out that there has been human management for many more years than most people consider and to the broader point of just what is a "native"?

[@veronikanadtochii2844]

Dear Adam! Thank you so much for everything you are doing! You are so right about it! Let the nature do it's work!

[@timothymitchell8310]

Well said Adam and a well written newsletter that led me to this video. Great perspectives on native and non native. We that travel the world are considered native to the area in which we were born. Even tribal people all over the world didn’t just spring up out of the land but, they all got there due to travel. Great perspective and thank you for it. I recently suggested you to another one of your neighbors with a KZbin channel there in Pennsylvania Fred Dunn from The Way to Bee. I thought that you would be good together.

[@billiverschoore2466]

i have a funny feeling that Adam may not agree with beekeeping; we take away their honey, even their propolis. What do we feed them after we take away their food? Best thing would be honey, but mostly it's honey bee tea or even the poison we call sugar... 🌳🕊💚

[@timothymitchell8310]

That’s true but, I don’t expect everyone to have my same opinion. We really are all very different

[@briefcandle]

Fully agree. One only needs to ask "how did it get here in the first place?". When it comes to planting flowers and trees, I do my best to only include native species, but I'm also fully aware that we are the reason these plants and animals make their ways around the world.

[@ksbrook1430]

Mind blowing! You have tied so many topics of discussion into one broader and more encompassing perspective. Thank you.

[@Jim-uj3ty]

Thank you Adam for this very thought provoking video. Love your videos.

[@Goaterd]

This is the kind of philosophy that brings the universe together. Thank you!

[@CrypticFreeze]

Adam, I genuinely think your videos are usually rooted in a personal altruism for nature, which is something all of us naturalists can empathize with, but I worry your points here border on anachronistic or emotional, and don't consider the ecological implications of what is being said. I would urge people to look towards ecology for insights into these subjects, as opposed to drawing false parallels from one's personal interests or beliefs. You have a large audience, so you're in a unique position to potentially inform people, that is why I speak candidly. Don't take my criticisms as hatred or anything, this is a subject that I, and many, are passionate about! I love your content and your mushroom ID videos have led to a few bountiful harvests of mine! 1. Travel of organisms, and nativity, do not depend on human-made borders. Migratory species, such as various birds, would have something to say about your point on travel. You speak of some of these ecological interactions like they're black-and-white, when they're more of a gradient. 2. Most invasive species have earned their negative reputation. There is a genuine threat to biodiversity when invasives outcompete or exploit other species. This is NOT the doctrine that should be adopted, some of your points in this video border on misleading. When you're looking at things from a community level, the control of these species is very much an issue. That being said, the line between naturalized species and invasives is grey at times, and these discussions dominate the field of wildlife management. There are points to be made about certain species filling niches that weren't previously filled, but there shouldn't be an overall sentiment on this, it should be case-by-case. Using a lantern fly in NA as an example of this doesn't really hold up well to scrutiny. There is also the question of "what can realistically be done to address the issue?", and this can extend to a good portion of your video. That is the difference between technical and ideal problem solving. What is more feasible / realistic? Wildlife biologists are able to monitor and potentially manage a growing population of invasive species, or wildlife biologists are able to significantly reduce the number of neighborhoods across the world, while also drastically altering cultures so that everyone is now "green-conscious". There are ideals, and there are decisions. 3. Equating agricultural pesticide use to invasive species management is somewhat uninformed. Those are two different worlds in the modern day, and wildlife sciences have only just recently hit a boon within the US. The fields of agriculture and forestry usually work hand-in-hand with wildlife/ecological staff to not make the same mistakes of the past. You'll see that these standards have been adopted by both federal and state agencies across the nation if you look into pesticide regulations. Agriculture is still a finicky area due to its private nature, but efforts are being made. 4. Invasive species do not exclusively settle in human disturbed areas. This is common within botany, but also not always the case. Your content is very plant-centric, so I understand this rationale. Invasives can move into choice habitat and completely decimate species richness and greatly alter species composition. 5. The point on a native diet is an odd one...these various species, that have been cultivated across the world for hundreds of years, have been selectively bred for their contemporary nutritional attributes. This feels very "Heaven's Gate vegan-y", like something you would hear from a cult-of-personality yoga instructor lol. Agriculture is why we have civilization, so I wouldn't expect long distance trade and cultivation to disappear or be significantly altered anytime soon. The metered approach you advocate for when dealing with non-natives has already been here for decades. Wildlife management is all about dealing with the hand we've been dealt, in the modern day. There are many people in the comments who seem to think this video is informative, instead of opinionated (again, nothing wrong with that). There are a lot of people who aren't necessarily informed on their local ecosystem functions, but are more so ideologically aligned with "naturalism" or "green living", who are prone to emotional appeals or information that "feels good" to hear, like all people are. It's very important for people to know that what is good for our forests, wetlands, etc. isn't always going to "feel good" to hear or learn about, but it has been proven that there are steps we can take to improve the environment around us. I know I've been a little harsh and maybe a little crude with the humor attempts, but it's time for some "green supporters" to become "green thinkers" if they genuinely care about these subject matters, and people like you are a vessel by which the average person could have the potential to learn something in a fun way. To finish on a positive point though, I do think people should be more informed on how global movement patterns effect their environment, even if those systems aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Personal health is demonstrably important, but there's no correlation to draw with invasive species and their effects on non-native environments. That's like comparing apples to aerodynamics. Or apples to pawpaws, if you will. -Ian

[@ranedeer3743]

This comment is exceptionally thought-provoking. Thank you for contributing to the conversation.

[@benjaminross7064]

Thank you so much for this thought provoking video. As usual, it was really well made!

[@rjiggy07]

I wish every politician had this attitude. You are spot on, and you spoke it perfectly.

[@RobChatburn]

Absolutely brilliant. Keep up the good work

[@seneca114]

Once again you've succeeded at delivering a very thought provoking video! Thanks so much, Adam!

[@goss67]

Wise words with an excellent presentation.

[@rayandmelaniemelograne7209]

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Very well stated. Finally, Common sense is brought into this topic of conversation. ( I saw a lantern fly the other day and did not have the heart to squash it for the very reasons you explain in this video. I thought I was alone in feeling this way). We truly do ignore the root problems and only treat the symptoms. I hope the change will happen that is needed

[@hridoygovindadas914]

I love your attitude! Please keep shedding light and spreading knowledge.

[@rossaiello3409]

You are wise beyond your years my friend Long live Adam!

[@mechanicallyinclined9320]

I wasn’t so sure about your travel analogy and i might’ve been happier to hear more on the topic of the impacts of invasives on biodiversity but I guess there’s plenty of doom and gloom content in the topic. I personally don’t patronize Amazon and prioritize indi shops but hasn’t drawn such a close parallel between the natural and retail ecosystems before you did. Your presentation was very thoughtful and informative as always! Thanks so much for the wholesome and informative content you create!!!

[@lh3540]

I don't know a lot about plants or bugs, and I'm always happy to see them. I genuinely love Russian olive blooms and Japanese beetles. I know they're not "supposed" to be here, but they're so pretty.

[@pathdoc60]

Adam, I agree with your thoughts which give us much to ponder on the Non-Native species topic. Thank you for another excellent and thought provoking video. Cheers.

[@pepperreed.33]

100% On Point. One of the many reasons I love your channel. Keep doing the Good Work.

[@divine3ssence481]

Thank you Adam you are always, Ey love all the love you put into every video. Truly it’s a blessing to hear mama/father earth through your voice expressing your passion for your home “EARTH”🌱Ey love you my treehearted 💚🌳brother keep earthing🌱

[@MetatronsWing]

Adam, I'm always surprised at how wise you are! You're a beautiful light worker, even if you don't know it. Thank you for all you do. I truly appreciate you.😁💙☮️👽😎

[@Stolensouls69]

You are SPOT ON ....lots of truth in your message. Keep it up. Most cannot think like this. I agree totally!!!!

[@offthepathlearning]

Wow, this one was different...we needed that one! much respect to you, thanks for sharing

[@stanleyschafer4232]

Thank you Adam for sharing not only your thoughts and perspectives of the land , but thank you for sharing your videos with us. 🇺🇸

[@rotgut14]

GREAT VIDEO! I have always been a fan of your educational videos, and had great respect for you, and it increased even more so with this video. The simple notion of judging situations through rational thought instead of emotions is an ever increasing rare occurance, unfortunately. Keep it up and stay strong, brother of the woods.

[@edwarddavet7757]

Thank you Adam for your insight!! I, and perhaps others would love to know - did you cut the traps open? :)

[@IAMYAHUAHS]

Adam, thank you for sharing your wisdom that is being expressed through the Father of creation and for sharing the Divine Word. The Father expresses that the Faithful will eat the good of the land. Greed has only destroyed the Fathers creation and polluted everything, for the love of money. Few recognize the beauty of all the Fathers creation, and therefore, use and abuse it and destroy it, but as it's written, they who destroy the earth, the Father shall destroy.

[@corryshaffer1577]

Really I think this is one of the most important conversations we need to have when we talk about being stewards of our ecosystem...I think we should have a meeting to make community to have this conversation.

[@epicmushroomhunter6147]

Woah.... Well done and great speech! Hope people will understand your message and not feel hatred but love. The world is growing crazy we all know it.

[@DeborahStephenson]

My husband and I live on 75 acres adjacent to many thousands of acres of national forest. We consider ourselves stewards of the land rather than "owners" and as such we try very hard to keep the landscape in balance and to have a small personal footprint. We have carefully managed our glades to control the aggressive (native) Juniperus virginiana in order to allow native grasses and flowers to come back--which, of course, encourages native fauna as well. Species diversity among natives has always been our goal. When we first moved here 30 years ago we assiduously dug out dandelions, plantain, lespedeza, etc. in our quest to eradicate anything non-native. Then one day, like a light going on in our heads, we realized how beautiful and truly wonderful dandelions were; how healthful plantain was, how much quail enjoyed lespedeza seeds, and it gave us pause. We began to notice how many of the "invasive species" were actually benefiting the native pollinators and providing herbage, fruits and seeds for deer and other wildlife. We began to ask ourselves "how is this bad?" Sometimes, in the case of truly aggressive invasives like kudzu, the answer was obvious and it was definitely NOT good. In other cases, the answer could only be found by study and much contemplation ... with our own devils and angels perched on our shoulders whispering the pros and cons as we tried to think things through. What it has ultimately come down to for us is a test involving two things. The first is a question of balance--does the organism benefit more than it harms, and does it maintain an ecologically neutral or relatively small footprint. The second thing has come to us more recently, and is a direct result of climate change. We see the world changing (getting increasingly hotter, involving more extreme weather patterns with droughts and floods in unlikely places, and so on) and we ask ourselves ... "which of these life-giving organisms is likely to still survive in 10 years or 50 or 100 years? Should we be removing something from the environment if it is the most fit to survive the destruction we are causing to Mother Earth? Shouldn't we, instead, be encouraging anything that CAN grow TO grow and thrive? In a few years (geologically speaking) we may be faced with a desert planet. Too late, people may wake up and then every living thing will be precious to everyone. These invasive species may be the sole survivors of the planet's once bountiful flora and fauna. The very toughness that allows them to claim new space may be the features of the future that let them live when we have killed everything else. So now, we have adopted a policy of live and let live. We monitor for overly aggressive species and take measures to control rampant overgrowth, but we no longer strive to eradicate. Balance is the key word. BALANCE in all things--the Golden Mean.

[@robertmcmanus636]

I don't understand the reference to lespedeza. All the lespedeza species I know are native to Minnesota anyway. Perhaps you're referring to a species. I'm referring to the genus lespedeza.

[@DeborahStephenson]

@@robertmcmanus636 You are correct, I was referring to a species considered invasive and given "noxious weed" status in several states--mine (Missouri) among them. The species I mean is Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata).

[@jonc.6271]

Great video! "We have to be willing to question our beliefs, also practice what we preach" the world will be a much better place if majority of us could do that

[@davidledoux1736]

Good message, Adam. It gives people on both sides of the fence something to think about; not the least of which is to consider doing away with the fence altogether.

[@kenfoley2435]

Thanks for your continued thoughtfullness and articulation.

[@jaxonboys3366]

So glad to hear another agree and speak the same thoughts as I. That is wisdom and (un)common sense I wish could be spread like kudzu. If you really think on it a bit, what is a Native Species? It's like looking at earth from space and commenting " look at all those foreign countries!

[@JonPerson]

Really well said, Adam, and it got me thinking on how I and others in my neighborhood could "consciously need the land." Perhaps as lawns are replaced with gardens and dependence on local land increases, the level of care would also increase, and hopefully spread out to nearby open spaces as well. I'm still digesting what you said about invasives, though; were you suggesting a new approach to controlling invasives (i.e. trying to see their value) or just drawing an important parallel with how humans themselves act invasive? Thanks for your thoughts!

[@kevinfranck6520]

Psalm 111:2 - "The works of Jehovah are great; They are studied by all those finding pleasure in them."

[@TheFarmacySeedsNetwork]

Yes! I share exactly the same perspectives, thoughts, ideas, and values that you illustrated in this video. You did an excellent job of illustrating those thoughts, ideas, opinions and perspectives. I completely agree with everything you stated here! And yes, it is true. The natives that were here before us Europeans inhabited this land were excellent stewards of the land and they managed it to near perfection. Hopefully we can get back to some assemblance of that in the future. Between permaculture regenerative egg education and many other pieces over time, maybe we can fix at least some of this ecosystem. Thanks so much!

[@templarfarmer7755]

Adam…beautiful..you are the essence of great concioussness to the land, and why you can so rationally and brilliantly speak of it, and to it…what a great human you are ‘traveling’ on on land…This video was GREAT in so many hundreds of ways..Thank you (hugs)

[@paxtianodirtfrog8947]

Awesome video as usual. To one of your last points about the impact of the native peoples on this land, I am reading a great book that is showing me that. "Tending the Wild" by M. Kat Anderson. It focuses on California but is like a trip back in time.

[@randyrodrigue2955]

Love this Adam! Way to drop the mic! Agree with you on this 100% your a beautiful soul! Love your content and have learned so so much from you. THANK YOU ❤️

[@efrenchen293]

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I'm a bit confused though, about whether you are suggesting that invasive species still belong since we haven't "fixed" our human cultural and social problems, or whether you are merely using perceptions of invasives as parallels.

[@chloedrew6322]

Another great video with thought provoking questions. I appreciate you taking your time to share your thoughts on this and so many issues! Yes to squashing amazon!

[@4TheWayTruthLife]

Very thought-provoking, informative, interesting and educational presentation. Thank you! 💜🦋🐞🐝🐛

[@sherececocco]

Thank you Adam! Great job! I know you worked very hard on this message. 🙊🙉🙈❤️

[@maryatsealevel2]

oooh exciting, a new learn your land video. Thanks for everything you do! Getting my tea ready for this one. When I moved to east coast of canada i had never seen bamboo before. I was amazed that we have anything like that here! Found out shortly later what it is and how strongly it takes over areas. Japanese knotweed. I am going to try*(havent tried before maybe its too strong for my crappy saw) to cut some here soon and fashion some deck blinds if possible.

[@michaela.wilson8264]

Hidi here in the south ussa we have kudzu also and several different varieties of bamboo and cane.

[@Sarcophagus74]

Dude, you are fantastic for a young dude! I love this channel.

[@mziebell80]

Mind blown, and lots of reflection in this video. I can recall being in the forest, and seeing many different invasive species. My innocence would forget about the "invasive" species. I really appreciate how you share, speak intentionally and help educate us all with your theories and deep pondering. I want to know how to eat more natively, and how we can eat more with the land. Do you think moving away from globization is the answer? I see many people now a days wanting to do more local shopping, but since covid the small business got smashed. How can we incorporate more of localization into our own personal lives? We personally forage mushrooms in our near by state park, and love eating mushrooms. Should we become more with our land? Will the land die without the human interaction?