Robin Bayer speech about “Magic” and the AFA on 2/21/09
Thank you for inviting me to speak today and for planting trees with Magic in memory of Angell Field Ancient founders James Gere, David Stevenson, and Alan Waterman. I feel honored to be part of this event and there are three reasons for that.
First, back in 1986 when I was a sophomore at Stanford I had the privilege of learning statics from Jim Gere. I still have the text he authored on the subject. He was a kind and straight-forward teacher. He was among a handful of faculty whose office hours I had the courage to attend, and I credit his warmth and geniality for that. He was always welcoming and he also did a great job explaining free-body diagrams. His teaching played a key role in my decision to major in structural analysis.
The second reason I'm honored to be here is that I love to run. When I took a break from school in 1989, running kept me sane. I used to see the ancients when I ran at noon on the Angell Field track. Seeing people years, even decades my senior running and having a good time was a great inspiration. You were living proof that people can run for a lifetime. Thank you.
The third reason I feel honored is that I care deeply about the oaks in the hills. The work I do with them is a way I aim to shoulder a share of responsibility for the natural world on which all of us depend. I first planted oaks with Magic in 1988. (They began the oak project in the late 1970's.) Shortly thereafter, I became a full-time volunteer with Magic--think Peace Corps in Palo Alto--and have been at it ever since. With the help of volunteers like you we've planted and cared for over 3,000 trees. Thank you for planting today. May you feel satisfaction in having contributed to greening a piece of the earth enjoyed by over half a million visitors per year.
We can greatly enhance the trees' chances to survive and to flourish by watering them during the dry season for the next two or three years. We've scheduled watering sessions every Thursday evening from May - October. We'll be grateful if each of you will consider joining us for at least one watering session. You're welcome to volunteer in small groups. It's a great way to contribute and catch up with friends, and it's a bit of a workout as well. I'll send you an invitation later in the year.
I want to offer a special thanks to those of you who've made a donation to Magic to further our oak habitat stewardship and other work.
Thank you again for planting oaks with Magic, and for inviting me here to share my story of how the Ancients have positively affected my life. I'm confident that there are many other stories like mine, and I hope that all of you take satisfaction in having contributed to them.