Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains Annual Meeting and Celebration a Culinary and Conservation Triumph

In a delightful fusion of gastronomy and environmental advocacy, Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountainsgathered for their annual meeting and celebration at Joan Wolford’s newly unveiled venue, C’est Bon. The event featured a culinary collaboration between celebrated chef-owner Joan Wolford of Savoir Faire Catering in Loudoun County and Clay Morris, an expert forager and restoration ecologist.

The exquisitely renovated space provided a stunning backdrop for the festivities, as attendees were treated to a gastronomic journey featuring a medley of traditional and foraged foods. The menu boasted a range of locally sourced delights, including persimmons, ramps, elderberries, and garlic mustard greens, showcasing the rich biodiversity of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Highlighting the event was the presentation of the 2023 Friend of the Mountain Award to George Ohrstrom, II. Recognized as a superhero of conservation, Ohrstrom’s decades-long dedication to preserving natural resources in the region has earned him accolades. As the Chair of the PEC Board and founder of the Downstream Project, Ohrstrom’s influence in environmental protection resonates deeply.

The gathering also featured an insightful talk by Clay Morris on integrating edible landscaping into one’s yard while minimizing the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Morris emphasized the historical practices of early indigenous people in the Blue Ridge, illustrating how they harmonized with the natural environment to establish sustainable sources of food.

Adding a melodic touch to the evening, the “Shorter” Hill Mountain Boys provided a musical backdrop that resonated through the venue, enhancing the overall experience for attendees.

The event drew a diverse crowd, creating an atmosphere that was not only joyous but also educational. Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains succeeded in fostering a sense of community, celebrating the region’s natural beauty, and championing conservation efforts for a sustainable future.

Several recent news articles have reported that US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm attended a ceremony in Tracy California opening the first facility in the US that will directly absorb CO₂ from the air.

CO₂ of course is a major component of green house gases and contributor to climate change.

According to a 11/9/23 New York Times article, the plant will “pull carbon dioxide from the air and have the gas sealed permanently in concrete, where it can’t heat the planet. To earn revenue, the company is selling carbon removal credits to companies paying a premium to offset their own emissions.”

The NYT’s article goes on to quote Secretary Granholm: “Science is clear: Cutting back carbon emissions through renewable energy alone won’t stop the damage from climate change. Direct air capture technology is a game-changing tool that gives us a shot at removing the carbon pollution that has been building in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution.” (emphasis added).

Perhaps the most interesting part of the story is that the plant can absorb a maximum of 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

WOW – I wonder if anyone remembers that trees pull carbon dioxide directly from the air. 

According to some estimates an acre of mature trees can absorb as much as 35 tons of CO₂ a year.

Apparently if we don’t cut down 30 to 40 acres of mature trees in Loudoun County’s forests we will remove as much CO₂ in a year as this multimillion-dollar, state-of-the-art facility. 

In addition, our 30 to 40 acres of trees will intercept, filter and clean approximately 4.5 million gallons of precipitation per year and generate approximately 195 tons of oxygen a year.  LPM