Nature and the Nerd

For more than the first twenty-five years of its time span, this book focuses on the interaction between Dick and nature. It took more than two and a half decades, plus the development of the Internet, for Dick to find Sandy. For the past fifteen they have been partners in life.

The subtitle refers to a symbiotic relationship. A symbiotic relationship is one that is mutually beneficial. But for billions of years, nature got along just fine without the human species. Isn’t it presumptuous to assume to give nature a hand? Well, for quite a while man has been messing up what nature presented to us. There are now countless opportunities to undo some of the blights that have been introduced by our fellow inhabitants of this planet.

This book describes the evolution of some neglected woods in Sandwich, New Hampshire from negligible wildlife into a rejuvenated forest where wildlife thrives. As the forest evolves, so does the Nerd - from a research and development engineer to a person who feels an ongoing kinship with the land.

To help the forest in its evolution, there were a number of logging operations to remove problematic trees which were a result of earlier mismanagement. The remaining trees benefited from less competition and grew faster than they would have otherwise. Because more sunlight reached the forest floor, there was more undergrowth which provided browsing for wildlife.

Twenty years have passed since the last logging operation. The casual observer finds no evidence that large machines once roamed here cutting down trees and dragging them to processing sites. Those logging roads have been improved during my outdoor workouts and are now rustic paths appreciated both by wildlife and humans. Two ponds have been created and three houses built on the property; each house being more energy efficient than its predecessor.

If you are caught in the rat race - there is another world out there. Come to the woods! Let nature draw you in! If you must, bring your electronic devices, but take a moment to draw a deep breath, stop and experience the life around you. And be warned, you might forget to turn on your cherished device(s).