Biophiles Unite!

We learned a new word at a splendid Trees Atlanta breakfast on Thursday: Biophile.

Keynote speaker Ray Anderson, chairman of Interface, Inc., told about 300, well, biophiles gathered at the Atlanta History Center, that not only are we all trying to co-exist with nature, "We ARE nature. A Biophile," he said, "is someone with an affinity for nature."

Marcia Bansley, executive director of Trees Atlanta, and her wonderful band of staff and volunteers making our city greener every day, is hoping that many of the biophiles in attendance will become Hardwood Donors to the organization's "Putting Down Roots" campaign to raise $4.5 million for their new home at 325 Chester Street and new educational initiatives that can be housed there. (To become a Hardwood, you have to pledge $5,000 over three years.) $3.9 million is already in hand so there is just that last hurdle to the finish line. Suntrust's Charlie Shufeldt -- campaign chair -- said the building was being renovated to be "green" and that Trees Atlanta was also partnering with PATH to create a bikepath along the nearby southwest rim of the Beltline.

Anderson also read Joyce Kilmer's poem, "Trees"

I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

If you want to know more about Trees Atlanta, visit, www.treesatlanta.org.