If you know Camp Firwood director Rob Lee, you know this...He loves animals and he loves nature. God's little creatures and their happy little habitats have a special place in Rob's oversized and always accepting heart. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that Rob fought long and hard to make sure Firwood was a safe sanctuary for all the little critters and vegetation that call the Firwood property home. Even before conceiving of the vision and plans for the long awaited Centerhouse, Rob had an even bigger dream of one day seeing Firwood become the leading Native Growth Protection Habitat for all American Camp Association certified camps in the greater Pacific Northwest area. Well, consider this one dream that came true. This past week Rob Lee and the Firs, in association with Whatcom County Planning and Development Services, officially commissioned the first Native Growth Protection Habitat on Firwood grounds. Located right behind Cabins 1 and 2 on the boys side, across the road from the boys bathroom, sits what has now been unofficially termed the "Rob Lee Memorial Love of the Environment and all the Critters of the World Sanctuary for Happiness and Natures Peace".
A sprawling and beautiful natural hill that soaks up the sunshine and splashes down into a babbling fresh water creek, this newly minted Natural Habitat is home to many living wonders including ferns, weeds, worms and probably some other stuff that we can't see. The hope, as Rob puts it, is "to make sure that not only campers and staff find Firwood to be a hospitable and safe place, but that the earths first inhabitants, the plants and animals, can say they feel loved and cared for here as well." Two years ago it was believed that Firwood would never be given the opportunity to create a Natural Habitat. The world was telling Rob that it couldn't be done, the city of Bellingham wouldn't allow it. "Bellingham doesn't care about the environment!" they would tell Rob. "Large buildings are fine, but we're in a watershed, nature takes a back seat and you know it!" others told him. The doubters pleaded with him to seek after a goal that was achievable, like a new dining hall or a new inflatable play toy. Yet through perseverance, hard work, and an unmatched zeal for accomplishment, Rob Lee was able to overcome his doubters and convince the powers that be that the world around us, Mother Nature and all her beauty, isn't something we can squander and kill. And because of that hard work and that little dream planted in Robs head years ago, Firwood now has a dedicated place that Mother Nature can call home.
If you know Camp Firwood director Rob Lee, you know this...He loves animals and he loves nature. God's little creatures and their happy little habitats have a special place in Rob's oversized and always accepting heart. Because of this, it should come as no surprise that Rob fought long and hard to make sure Firwood was a safe sanctuary for all the little critters and vegetation that call the Firwood property home. Even before conceiving of the vision and plans for the long awaited Centerhouse, Rob had an even bigger dream of one day seeing Firwood become the leading Native Growth Protection Habitat for all American Camp Association certified camps in the greater Pacific Northwest area. Well, consider this one dream that came true. This past week Rob Lee and the Firs, in association with Whatcom County Planning and Development Services, officially commissioned the first Native Growth Protection Habitat on Firwood grounds. Located right behind Cabins 1 and 2 on the boys side, across the road from the boys bathroom, sits what has now been unofficially termed the "Rob Lee Memorial Love of the Environment and all the Critters of the World Sanctuary for Happiness and Natures Peace". 
A sprawling and beautiful natural hill that soaks up the sunshine and splashes down into a babbling fresh water creek, this newly minted Natural Habitat is home to many living wonders including ferns, weeds, worms and probably some other stuff that we can't see. The hope, as Rob puts it, is "to make sure that not only campers and staff find Firwood to be a hospitable and safe place, but that the earths first inhabitants, the plants and animals, can say they feel loved and cared for here as well." Two years ago it was believed that Firwood would never be given the opportunity to create a Natural Habitat. The world was telling Rob that it couldn't be done, the city of Bellingham wouldn't allow it. "Bellingham doesn't care about the environment!" they would tell Rob. "Large buildings are fine, but we're in a watershed, nature takes a back seat and you know it!" others told him. The doubters pleaded with him to seek after a goal that was achievable, like a new dining hall or a new inflatable play toy. Yet through perseverance, hard work, and an unmatched zeal for accomplishment, Rob Lee was able to overcome his doubters and convince the powers that be that the world around us, Mother Nature and all her beauty, isn't something we can squander and kill. And because of that hard work and that little dream planted in Robs head years ago, Firwood now has a dedicated place that Mother Nature can call home.
2 comments:
amazing. :)
Its what I do
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