Red Mangroves don’t spend any time thinking about how best to mangrove. They grow a tangle of specialized roots that allow them to thrive in salt water with daily tides and seasonal storms. Excess salt is sent to yellow leaves that drop off when full, allowing green leaves to get clear water. They grow baby seedlings in their branches which are ready to take root as soon as they drop to the water. In this way, one mangrove tree plants a forest in nearby waters. These Mangrove forests are home to many species of creatures from land, sea, and air. The web of branches and roots protects the area from high winds and strong currents.  Without any thought about how to mangrove, these trees create a positive difference along tropical and subtropical coastlines.  

Mangrove trees create vital ecosystems by being themselves. You are vital to your ecosystem simply by being human, by being social, eating food, and caring. Human brains create a lot of complexity thinking about how to be, what to do, and all the possible options. Electronic devices make it possible to order all your food dropped at your door so that you can eat alone while scrolling. When you take time to put aside your device, community happens. You are likely to shop or eat at nearby places where you will say hi to familiar people. As you get to know them you become more social and relationships grow. When you spend time with people, and learn more about their experiences, caring grows. 

Socialize with other humans through basic greetings, a conversation, or a longer talk. Arrange to share a meal or snack together in a restaurant, at home, or in a park. It is common in every human culture to gather to share special foods for a holiday, event, or celebration. As you gather regularly people get to know one another, building relationships and caring. This can be as simple as a walk to a local coffee shop. Just like the mangrove tree, you might have to drop a salty one now and then to keep harmony for the whole community.  In time new connections grow, roots keep the community together, and branches reach out to new people. In doing basic human things, you contribute to an ecosystem.

This may seem like “just” socializing – there is serious work to be done in this world. Socializing, eating, and caring are practices that grow the roots of community. Mangrove trees are “just” mangroving with no heed for how they benefit the larger ecosystem. The reality is that doing simple human things creates places where people share their ideas and struggles, provide one another with care, and connect to resources and solutions. This is how human community is created. 

Peace,

Laura