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PRAISE for The TreeSpirit Project BOOK
Ancient native forests inspire me to attend these cathedral-like churches. Jack Gescheidt’s artistic organizing and photography is more than a celebration of our interdependence with nature. This fine book allows nature to speak for herself to all who leaf through these pages. Additionally, it is our responsibility to speak on behalf of the ancient trees as best we can. We cannot ask for too much, and we had better not ask for too little. We must demand what is needed to support all life on Earth.
– Randy Hayes, Rainforest Action Network founder, Executive Director Foundation Earth
Seeing so many glorious depictions of the act of being naked and vulnerable within a forest, one is reminded that humans are part of something greater, that our lives are inextricably connected to health and well-being of the forest. Jack Gescheidt’s “Tree Spirit Project” encourages people to delve deeper and find the connection between a love of nature and our obligation to protect what we love.
– Natalynne DeLapp, Executive Director, Environmental Protection Information Center
Jack Gescheidt’s TreeSpirit Project reminds people of the magnificence of our natural world and our connection to the planet. This photographic journey portrays both the amazing, elegant forms of trees, and the spiritual element people share with them — all to spread the word of the importance of preservation, the need for tree stewards in every city and town where people impact natural and human-planned ecosystems.
– Doug Wildman, Program Director, Friends of the Urban Forest
There are fewer trees on Earth today than at any time since we human beings emerged here, and our ravaging of forests destroys habitat, genetic diversity, climate stability, and our own chances of survival. TreeSpirit’s heroic quest to help raise awareness of this crucial issue is inspiring, and deserving of our broadest possible support.
– Dr. Will Tuttle, author of the best-selling” The World Peace Diet”
When we open to the magic of trees we can appreciate more fully not only their vital role in maintaining the well-being of life on earth but also their profound ability to connect us to places of deep wisdom and healing both within ourselves and the natural world. We share our soul story with the life cycle of trees.
Jack Gescheidt’s beautiful book illustrates perfectly the power of these most generous of companions on our spiritual journey; it reminds us of our frailty and our strength and encourages us to embrace with gratitude the relationships we can build with these extraordinary beings.
– Philip Carr-Gomm, author, “Druid Mysteries, Ancient Wisdom for the 21st Century”
The term “tree-hugger” was originally coined as an epithet by people who think care for our environment is not important. That label is now something to be proud of: I am happy to be considered a tree hugger because hard science shows that hugging trees (in both the physical sense and the political sense) is good for you! If you put your arms around a tree, and let your judgmental mind go quiet, and feel the energy of that tree emanating from the soil where deep roots are carrying out billions of energy transactions with bacteria and fungi, your own body chemistry will improve in the process. We can heal our relationship with nature by creating intimacy with the plants and animals that want to be our friends but our fears stand in the way. Drop your fear and embrace nature in all her glorious beauty.
A good first step would be to embrace this work of The TreeSpirit Project, an excellent organization helping create the first-ever global revolution: a values revolution that is saying, instead of having money values rule over the life cycle, we must have life values rule over the money cycle.
– Dr. Kevin Danaher, Co-Founder, Global Exchange, Green Festivals, FairTrade USA
At Bare Necessities Tour & Travel, we believe that the body is perfect for its purpose regardless of size, shape, age, or any other variation from the illusionary and unattainable definition of beauty embraced by society. To paraphrase a poet, we also believe that we shall never see anything as lovely as a tree. The combination of the human form with its beautiful eccentricities and the beautiful form of a tree demonstrates to us how connected they are.
Seeing Jack’s TreeSpirit Project photographs — and participating in their creation — we know we human beings are intrinsically linked with trees. We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to be in several photographs that appear in this book, including “Hearts of Palms” and “Evolution.” The latter, in particular, was an unforgettable experience: when our mass of humanity emerged from the water to reach toward the trees, we all moved as one. Art — and joy — was created on the beach that day.
– Bare Necessities Tour & Travel
Trees and humans have always had a symbiotic, interdependent relationship; one cannot live without the other. Economic and political policies sometimes threaten the survival of one or the other — or both at the same time. The TreeSpirit Project fuses trees and humans together in their purest, most natural form, revealing the inherent paradox of strength and fragility and reminding the reader of the importance of both.
– Petra Scheller, Editor, Going Natural Magazine, Federation of Canadian Naturists
It’s easy to take trees for granted, but this collection reveals them in all their beauty, diversity and rugged permanence. Great photos in support of a great cause.
– Ken Thompson, ecologist, University of Sheffield, England; author, “Where Do Camels Belong? Why Invasive Species Are Not All Bad”
The magic of ancient trees and human bodies blend into stunning images in Jack Gescheidt’s Tree Spirit Project photographs. When I look closely at each unique composition I’m reminded of the muscular yet tender and fragile strength of both the human spirit and the earth’s majestic creations. Jack transforms our love of the forests into a timeless truth that we need to venerate and protect the “tall tree people.”
– Lisa Alpine, author, “Wild Life: Travels Adventures of a Worldly Woman,” Foreward Reviews‘ Book of the Year Award winner
Jack Gescheidt has developed an impressively unique photographic eye. His images capture the soulful interconnection between humankind and the spirit of the trees.
– Rob Sidon, Editor-in-Chief, Common Ground Magazine