As precious forests are being consumed by wildfire in the west, a nursery in Michigan offers new life.
CLARICE MCKENZIE
Conference Board of Church and Society
Is something good coming out of Copemish, Michigan?
Twenty-five years ago David Milarch had a near death experience. David was a nurseryman in Copemish, a small town on M-115 near Crystal Mountain Resort. He was sent back from the edge with clear instructions to find and preserve Champion Trees.
Champion Trees have height, large crown size and diameter which means strong genetics. The strong DNA of Champion Trees enables them to survive the rising temperatures of climate change.
David’s non-profit organization has evolved from Champion Tree Project to become Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. With the help of his sons, Jared and Jake, 130 Champion Trees have been cloned and archived.
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive has a special interest in reforesting Redwoods and Sequoias. One of their buildings in Copemish has around 4,000 Redwoods being nurtured for two years and readied for replanting in a new forest. The second building has about 2000 Sequoias getting a good start.
David Milarch is a deeply spiritual man with amazing passion for the forests of this earth. “Angels” regularly give David instructions/directions for preserving and replanting trees. He has grave concern because only 2% of U.S. old growth trees currently survive.
Yes, new Redwood and Sequoia forests, in northern California, Oregon, and Washington State, are coming out of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive in Copemish Michigan.
You can read about David Milarch in the book, “The Man Who Planted Trees” by scientist and journalist, Jim Robbins. Learn more on the website, ancienttreearchive.org. It is an amazing story.
Note: The Conference Board of Church and Society supports the United Methodist Social Principles. In the section, “The Natural World,” the Social Principles state: ” We call for the preservation of old-growth forests and other irreplaceable natural treasures, as well as preservation of endangered plant species. We support measures designed to maintain and restore natural ecosystems.” While the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive is not a project of The United Methodist Church, it operates out of values consistent with these Principles.
Last Updated on November 2, 2023