Riley Block; Nolan Trail

Walking on the Nolan trail gave me new types of insight to what nature is trying to communicate to us through different signs that I had never paid attention to before. Trees are able to communicate to us what could have happened in a specific location in the past. For example, there were a few trees by the water that were dead and withering. This is due to the high amounts of pollution in the James River that provides nutrients for the trees in this location. We can also tell that there are high rates of erosion in the area due to the falling shore line along the dead trees. The trees are also telling us that, when they are dense and tall, something must have happened in the past for more light to shine down into the area such as a hurricane. Trees are in competition to grow taller as a way to obtain more sunlight and nutrients from the area around them. Signs of animal life are seen all along the Nolan trail via droppings or scratch marks on trees from deer.

We are reminded by the pollution in the waterways of the overwhelming effects that humans can have on our environment. Humans have always tried to industrialize the land around them and are quick to forget that we are simply visitors. It’s important to understand that this is their home and not ours and that we will never be able to thrive as humans if we do not support the environment around us.