Humans can act as guardians who return care to their plant helpers

Evidence

As the threat wings its way closer to their homelands every fall, Les and his colleagues gather the willing to collect the best seeds they can find, storing seed to keep faith with the future, to replant the forest after the wave of invasion has passed. Every species needs its Les Benedict, its Pigeon family, its allies and protectors. Many of our traditional teachings recognize that certain species are our helpers and guides. The Original Instructions remind us that we must return the favor. It is an honor to be the guardian of another species—an honor within each person’s reach that we too often forget. A Black Ash basket is a gift that reminds us of the gifts of other beings, gifts we can gratefully return through advocacy and care. — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 528

Categorization

• XREF: ‘The Original Instructions remind us that we must return the favor’ ties to chapter 2’s compass-versus-map framing of Original Instructions, and to the eco-justice principle of reciprocal stewardship. — connects to: Garden food arises from human-plant partnership where each supplies what the other cannot — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom,…, 444; Gardeners can experience their gardens as loving caretakers in return — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom,…, 437; A Three Sisters garden physically embodies the ethic of reciprocity — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom,…, 459 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• Some plants now depend on specific human harvesting practices to survive #exemplifies (0.80) — Jenny Odell, How to Do Nothing, 499
• Sweetgrass renewal after harvest signals the plant’s mutual need for people #exemplifies (0.80) — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 585
• Harvesting ritual asks a plant’s consent and aims to bond children to place #exemplifies (0.80) — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 623
• Plants who take care of us provide models humans adopt for survival #expands (0.78) — Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass, 823