I love saving trees. So does my brilliant friend, Joyce. But in our town of 50,000 people in crowded New Jersey, our elected officials seem to love cutting them down.

As a result, our tree canopy has shrunk from 30% to 27%. Experts say it needs to be 40% to protect residents and animals from climate chaos, heat, and flooding—not to mention providing habitat for beneficial insects and birds.

Wouldn’t you agree that having stately street trees increases the value of a home?

The Three Friends in My Neighborhood

Caption: The Three Friends in My Neighborhood

But no matter how many ways we tried to explain this at the bi-monthly Town Council meetings, our elected officials ignored us.

One evening, after yet another ignored public comment, I stepped outside and called my friend Joyce. Frustrated, I said, “That’s it. I’m done. One of us must run for Town Council. And I nominate you because I have a full-time job.”

We both had the epiphany at that moment. Instead of constantly fighting the council, we would get on it and protect the trees ourselves. When Joyce announced her candidacy, residents were enthusiastic. Many volunteered to help her. They also rallied behind another friend of ours, Joe, also smart and ethical.

We hit the ground running. Emails went out, we walked the streets, knocking on doors and speaking to residents. Many people weren’t engaged; they often didn’t even know the names of the five current council members. So, we put up signs. As did our opposition. They had far more funding because they accepted money from developers who were cutting down the trees.

Caption: Joyce Rudin for Town Council

In a fantastic outcome, both Joyce and Joe won their elections, earning seats on our Town Council. This gave residents a majority of four out of five council members who care about tree preservation. After 20 years of our efforts being ignored, we finally have the power to take action to protect and plant trees.

Caption: Joyce Rudin Swearing In Town Council

Why is this such an important victory? Because our town is our second family. If we subscribe to the local newspaper and pay attention to our mayor and council members, their attention will be on the residents and they will not quietly drift away into allure of special interests, those who don’t take into consideration the benefits of trees or wildlife when advocating for their interests.

Our collective is as crucial as individual freedom. Goals are met when the collective vows to protect each person’s interest, have sincere dialog, solve problems together and be invested in the outcome.

Globally and locally, our planet has lost 3 trillion trees over the past 10,000 years, largely to make room for pastureland for farm animals—a devastating loss that puts our survival at great risk. Trees are essential to our biosphere; they soak up the carbon produced from all the respiration on the planet, the people, the animals, our homes and transportation. That carbon and methane accumulating in the atmosphere is trapping heat which is causing droughts, fires, and other disasters because we cut too many trees. We need to move to a plant-based lifestyle immediately and free up land to rewild the planet with the lost trees.

We need to act in every town, farm, and city across the planet. And we need to act fast.

Joyce’s election proves that persistence pays off. Now, the trees and animals have a voice on our Town Council. With her deep understanding of the importance of trees and native plants, Joyce will also channel the knowledge and will of our residents to create laws that require tree protection, preservation, and replanting. Together, we’ll do our part in our town, and it will be a gorgeous place to live.

With what should my friend Joyce fill her celebratory mug? Boon Broth, of course! Boon Broth is the delicious, restorative drink for those who want to heal their gut, feel focused and purposeful, and avoid planet-harming animal products. Plus, the packaging is compostable. Every decision we make takes into consideration you, the animals, the trees, the water, and the planet—our shared home. Take care.

Have you ever persevered at something until you broke through? Let me know—I’d love to hear your story!

Sally “Aunt Salad”
Founder