Caretakers of the Earth

The primary purpose of this website is to provide information on the creation of the Anamosa Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.  When a water retention basin was built on the north side of Anamosa in 2007, nature had to take a back seat to progress and several acres of land suffered.  However this also provided an opportunity to help Mother Earth regain a small token of beauty.  The vision for this land began as a walking trail, but has transformed into a Sanctuary for people to find peace and tranquility in nature.

Sanctuary: A sacred place of refuge and protection where people, plants, and animals can live together under a shelter of safety.  A place of worship.

Everyone realizes the importance of saving the environment but feels overwhelmed at the enormity of what needs to be done to make any significant impact.  With the advent of video games, hundreds of TV channels to choose from, and parents working longer hours to make ends meet, it's no wonder we have lost our connection with the Earth.

Getting "grounded" was not coined by coincidence.  Working with the Earth not only releases negativity but calms the mind from distractions.  Prayer was meant to be a communication - not just talking to a higher power, but listening for the answers.  Kneeling in the soil, working with your hands, with only the wind, sun, and the sounds of nature as companions eases the path to actively listen in prayer instead of incessant thoughts racing through the mind.

As our society realizes what's been missing in our lives, the Earth will begin regaining the beauty that has been systematically marred by progress.  Natural calamities and man-made disasters have been occurring at an alarming rate the last few years and are more than just a warning.  They have been a cleansing that is an undeniable wake-up call to action.

It is time to awaken to the call that we are all Caretakers of the Earth.  If we want our children to inherit an abundant Earth then we must lead by example by giving back more than we take.