#008: Rewilding the Denuded w/ Kelden Formosa

11/19/20 • 49 min

Javelinas and tarantulas and bees, oh my! Nick invites on Kelden Formosa, the podcast's first guest, to discuss what it means to "rewild" nature. Kelden is an amateur botanist, long distance trekker, tree lover, and Canada's best 5th grade teacher. He argues that we humans spend a lot of time denuding the natural world of its original biodiversity, and it's time to let those forlorn tarantulas and complex fungal networks work without our (un)heroic attempts to tame nature according to our own image and preference. Rewilding is a radical openness to the beauty, and sometimes bizarreness, of God's plan for creation.
Have a question, topic idea, gardening tip, anything? Email us at [email protected]. We'd love to give you a sprout out!
LINKS

Psalm 19: "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork..."
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben. [He] shares his deep love of woods and forests and explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware.
Laudato Si' by Pope Francis: "Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the Earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures. The biblical texts are to be read in their context, with an appropriate hermeneutic, recognizing that they tell us to ‘till and keep’ the garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15). ‘Tilling’ refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature."
Humans as hybrids in Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
And what's a javelina, anyway?
On the Eden Revisited podcast, we talk a lot about our experiences in the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program. Click here to learn more.

Psalm 19: "The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork..."
The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben. [He] shares his deep love of woods and forests and explains the amazing processes of life, death, and regeneration he has observed in the woodland and the amazing scientific processes behind the wonders of which we are blissfully unaware.
Laudato Si' by Pope Francis: "Although it is true that we Christians have at times incorrectly interpreted the Scriptures, nowadays we must forcefully reject the notion that our being created in God’s image and given dominion over the Earth justifies absolute domination over other creatures. The biblical texts are to be read in their context, with an appropriate hermeneutic, recognizing that they tell us to ‘till and keep’ the garden of the world (cf. Gen 2:15). ‘Tilling’ refers to cultivating, ploughing or working, while ‘keeping’ means caring, protecting, overseeing and preserving. This implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature."
Humans as hybrids in Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.
And what's a javelina, anyway?
On the Eden Revisited podcast, we talk a lot about our experiences in the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education program. Click here to learn more.

Previous Episode

#007: Leisure, Work, and Dirt

Austin and Tyler discuss what it means to "play." We talk about the difference between "Leisure" and "Laziness." Why do we live in a culture that puts so much emphasis on work? In this episode, we dig into all that and more.
Have a question, topic idea, gardening tip, anything? Email us at [email protected]. We'd love to give you a sprout out!
LINKS

Dr. Jeffrey Mirus has a good piece on leisure here.
You can learn more about Catholic leisure in this episode of the Burrowshire Podcast. The hosts talk about what good leisure is and practical tips for implementing it in your life.
Why exposure to germs and microbes is good for you.

Next Episode

#009: Nazareth Farm w/ Michael Black

On this show, Tyler and Nick interview Michael Black from Nazareth Farm in West Virginia. Michael discusses the unique challenges of Appalachia, what it means to "re-member," how to live out the underrated Catholic social teaching tenet of subsidiarity, and so much more. This avid tree climber and nut forager plays an instrumental role at this small non-profit that's making a big community impact through its cornerstones of service, community, prayer, and simplicity. Whether it's the beauty of ecumenical prayer, growing your own produce, or showering only once a week (seriously), this conversation should certainly help us cultivate our interior gardens and challenge us to reenchant the culture.
If you want to put shovel to soil with the Nazareth Farm team, please check out their website, or give them a ring at 304-782-2742 (yes, a landline!), or email them at [email protected]. You can follow Nazareth Farm on Facebook or Instagram.
Have a question, topic idea, gardening tip, anything? Email us at [email protected]. We'd love to give you a sprout out!