“In Japan, people practice ‘forest bathing’ (shinrin-yoku), where they spend quiet time absorbing the wisdom of ancient forests, and taking long walks among the trees to stimulate their immune system. In Taoism, students are encouraged to meditate among trees, and it is believed that the trees will absorb negative energies, replacing them with healthy ones. Trees are seen as a source of emotional and physical healing, and themselves as meditators, absorbing universal energies.” NatureAndHealth.com Trees give us more than we realize and we must care for them, and yes hug them. The American Beech tree is an ecologically important species, providing food and habitat to over 40 species of birds and mammals in eastern forests. This iconic tree has recently been impacted by beech bark disease, and is now under attack by a new enemy-Nematodes, which could be the cause beech leaf disease (BLD), and is of great concern to many forest areas, including Teatown Lake Reservation. We talk to Dr. Danielle Begley-Miller, an ecologist, who is the Director of Science and Stewardship at Teatown Lake Reservation about what might be causing BLD disease, and how scientists are approaching the problem. We also talk about dealing with leaves in the Fall, and if you can, please leave leaves alone. For more information go to teatown.org and leaveleavesalone.org. For past programs go to HudsonRiverRadio.com and Malcolmpresents.com. Follow TMSOG on FB and Instagram @tmshadesofgreen. Subscribe to TMSOG podcast on all major podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Spreaker.com and more). Please give us a nice review… #RaiseYourEcoConsciousness