Woodland - Spring 2013 - (Page 13)

features John tells us he’s currently assigned to the kitchen, so today he’ll only have time for a short hike of about 1.5 hours. He’s been at the abbey for 22 years, noting, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the woods.” We arrive at a Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) where the monks are currently working. “I like the small TSI projects,” Brother Conrad notes. “We want to do it ourselves to know what it’s all about.” “But our prayer life comes first. We do what we can,” he adds. “When I first arrived here, I was assigned to the business side of the abbey,” Brother Bartholomew says. “Now I work the land. I feel like the Briar Rabbit and this is my briar patch.” Prior to being accepted into the abbey, Brother Bartholomew worked for 20 years in the military, with his last assignment at the Pentagon. His typical day? “First, prayer. Then, my devoted time for sacred readings. Then, I go to work where I manage the abbey’s waste water treatment facility.” And then, he says with a big smile, “I head for the woods.” Brother Bartholomew takes us through the TSI with Bean and explains the process of thinning the trees and creating daylight for the remaining trees. “If you see a blue mark we missed it and Robert will get after us,” he adds. “Taking out the marked trees helps improve the chances that the crop tree will be a better tree in five years.” “Through the TSI, I’m releasing the trees,” he says. “It’s a redemptive process. Yet, it’s not really us redeeming the woods, I’m being redeemed through this work. I’m being healed.” As we walk through the woods, the Brothers talk about the importance of their stewardship and ensuring those on retreat can experience peace and solitude here. “By being out here, they’ll know what it is we want them to be able to bring Brother Conrad (below and at far left) and Brother Bartholomew (near left) with a topo map of Gethsemani. back with them, wherever they go back to,” says Brother Conrad. “We are stewards,” Brother Bartholomew explains. “And stewardship has no expected return. It’s done for the benefit of others with no mercenary intent. While I know that in the process I’m getting something back, I’m really not doing it for me.” This leads us to talk about faith and forestry, and whether there is a boundary between the two. If you ask any family forest owner what it takes to be a good steward of America’s forests, chances are you’ll hear them say ‘hard work and faith.’ No matter their religion—faith and forestry seem to go together for most woodland owners. “The place where faith and forestry sit,” says Brother Bartholomew, “takes me back to who made it.” “It’s about getting back to the essential,” adds Brother Conrad. “Out here, we are sharing in His creative work. This is 110 percent nature.” “We are His caretakers,” adds Brother Bartholomew. Realizing our time is getting short, Brother Bartholomew suggests we go to the “statues” before we leave. This special site on the abbey grounds features religious statues interspersed among pine, native grasses and an oak restoration project—started after a tornado cleared the area. At the statue of Mary, Brother Bartholomew tells me about Brother Renee, who had taken care of the grounds, mowing and planting flowers. “He was the caretaker of the statue, and a truly holy man. It was one of the little things he did at the abbey.” As we head back to the truck, Brother Bartholomew adds, “The little thing I do is forestry.” woodland • Spring 2013 13

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Woodland - Spring 2013

Woodland - Spring 2013
Contents
Overstory
On the Ground
Faith and Forestry
Take a Hike!
Tools and Resources
Forests and Families

Woodland - Spring 2013