We grieve as a community for the loss of the majestic cottonwoods in Lochiel, Arizona, that were cut down this fall to make way for more border wall. Brave land defenders held off construction crews for 75 days before the “Grandmother” cottonwood and her sister trees, each estimated to be 250 years old, were knocked down. Many other trees such as junipers and oaks, as well as plants including spectacular cacti, have also lost their lives to border wall in recent months, and we feel their loss deeply.
For Día de los Muertos this year, we honor and celebrate the stoic cottonwoods and other vibrant plants lost to make room for border wall. May their memory live on and bloom within all of us.
Our Día de los Muertos ofrenda, or altar, is on display for the public at the Tucson Presidio Museum from Friday, Oct. 23, to Sunday, Nov. 8. More details are on the museum’s website.
In this ofrenda, we feature a papier-mâché cottonwood created in celebration of Lochiel’s Grandmother tree, along with wildlife prayer flags and photos of other plants erased across our Border Wildlife Study sites. When we hold these species in our hearts as a community, we keep their memory alive and build a better future for all our human and non-human neighbors in the borderlands.
In case you missed it: watch our recent webinar, “Tending to Environmental Grief: Part One,” and stay tuned for more opportunities to join us in grieving and healing together.
