Charles Jordan answers "why green?"

Perhaps we should have expected it of a “Visionary.” As John Muir said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.” Charles Jordan’s talk Saturday morning broadened the scope of the greening movement in Memphis and took us back to the basics to reflect on what it is we are actually doing and why.

He reminded us of the fundamental reason we need to protect our parks and public spaces, create greenways, and build pathways -- people.
It’s not my park or your park, it’s OUR park. We are interconnected to the land, air, water, and most importantly to each other. Our challenge is to create the future -- a better world for our grandchildren.

The problems we face, are everybody’s problems, and the way to address those problems is to meet people’s basic needs. There are no quick, easy answers -- no new programs that will fix it all, but parks and conservation are a tool to address those problems and a realistic defense against crime and division within a community. Parks are connected to successful human beings and are vital to a society that is safe and viable. There is a positive correlation between green space and livable communities.

In an interview on “Nature of Conservation”, airing this month on WYPL – TV 18, Mr. Jordan compares Portland and Memphis, the two riverfronts and the adjacent historic downtowns. He delights in our city’s treasures and says with public lands there are three essential steps: protect, enjoy, and pass along for the future. You can see the interview on Channel 18 on Mondays at 1:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 4 p.m.; Wednesdays at 3:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 11 p.m.; Thursdays at 7 a.m.; Fridays at 2:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 10 a.m.; and Sundays at 1:30 a.m.

We all have individual reasons for wanting to protect and improve the Memphis riverfront. Mr. Jordan reminded us of our collective reason, a better community in which to live.