Eighty year old Patty Griest has planted over 3000 native Indiana trees on the ten acres of land she purchased north of her Clear Lake home, she is building a forest and prairie for future generations to enjoy. She even collects seedlings from her yard and sprouts a variety of trees from seeds in cold frames, I took home a healthy 2' tall buckeye she grew from the nut. She has small fenced nursery where the trees are moved up from the cold frames until they are large enough to be placed in their final locations.
She does not stop at reforestation, she is an accomplished potter, world traveler and yoga enthusiast spending much of her time at the lake tending various gardens. She is a slight women who walks purposefully weather she is toting a shovel or riding on her John Deere to mow around the 20 odd species of saplings that stand tall and neat in the field.
On a sad note Patty just lost her beloved dog Doogie to a fox who stole the animal right out of her backyard while her other dog indubitably witnessed the horror. Our condolences to Patty and a reminder for those with small pets who live in rural areas, be watchful and wary.
