x-sender: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com x-receiver: governor.haley@sc.lmhostediq.com Received: from mail pickup service by IQ12 with Microsoft SMTPSVC; Sun, 22 Mar 2015 19:35:41 -0400 thread-index: AdBk+Oig2kUKKw40QViZspB5JzQwMQ== Thread-Topic: SC Future Health From: To: Subject: SC Future Health Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2015 19:35:41 -0400 Message-ID: <7FAAEDFC3253453FB6A87A86326FC942@IQ12> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: Microsoft CDO for Windows 2000 Content-Class: urn:content-classes:message Importance: normal Priority: normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.1.7601.17609 X-OriginalArrivalTime: 22 Mar 2015 23:35:41.0283 (UTC) FILETIME=[E8B8B330:01D064F8] CUSTOM Mrs. Lora L. Crooks 2306 HWY 72E Abbeville SC 29620 madkatzcreative@gmail.com 910-747-7246 864-223-3930 ENVI SC Future Health Lora L. Crooks 2306 HWY 72E Abbeville, SC 29620 March 22, 2015 The Honorable Nikki R. Haley 1205 Pendleton St. Columbia, SC 29201 Dear Governor Haley: I'm writing to share with passionate concern, my mind and heart over the condition of our natural resources, specifically the forests. My family and I often enjoy walking the trails of South Carolina's State Parks and other woodland trails. Hiking these trails and enjoying nature has been a rewarding hobby for myself for many years. Over these years, I've come to notice a deterioration in the health of the trees. This was remarkably noticeable from the effects of the past winter ice storms. It wasn't long ago, during a walk with my young son that he revealed we were thinking the same thing. He said, "The trees are sick." The truth was too obvious to disagree. I believe the soil of our area is malnourished, and therefore the trees are in a weakened condition and do not withstand the weight of freezing weather as they should. There are of course, many other implications and I have theories as to the reasons underlying this decrease in the health of our State's vegetation. I'll wait to share those however, for a future conversation, should you choose to explore the idea and plan envisioned. As I've researched the Industry of Forestry and degree requirements, as well as what is currently being done in the field, I haven't seen action being taken to address what I believe is a root of the problem. While excuse follows excuse for reasons not to contact anyone about it, I feel someone has to take a step in this important direction. Healthy plant growth requires healthy soil of course, and I believe our soil in many places is malnourished, leading to weakened trees and stunted growth. I have an action plan for a large scale composting initiative that could be vital for the health of our State's lands, plants and animals and I believe with the rain we've had in many areas, now is an important time to implement such a plan. I have the mental plan and you are the lady in a position of power to implement the production. I've envisioned a team of people networked with nurseries, livestock owners and volunteer citizens for a SC Grow Green Partnership. This team would gather the needed resources to develop and disperse compost for our public lands and those private lands whose owners see the need and join the adventure. I'm asking you to consider this need, truly at the ground level. Please, share my ideas with your professional contacts. Those people who could aid with the knowledge of what content would develop the most nutrient rich compost to infuse our ground and feed our trees for future growth. While I've taken biology classes, I have no PhD, expertise, nor relevant position. All I have to offer is a passionate idea, working knowledge and a desire to make a difference somewhere that I see as ecologically crucial and currently neglected. I would like to be part of such a project hands on. Not only helping to bring together people who will commit to the process but also putting my own feet and hands to the ground. I hope to hear from you in regards to this green dream for South Carolina. I look forward to your ideas on how you may be able to empower myself and South Carolina's citizens to be the gardeners of our land. Appreciative of Your Service, Lora L. Crooks