Kalistan

[Doc]

Princess Mary is in here Element
Crown Princess expounds on importance of Conservation
Gran City, Duchy of Nevaras
September 1, 5630


Her Highness, Crown Princess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis in the Nevaran Old Growth Forest

The slopes of Kaistan's mountain ranges are covered by dense, ancient forests, dating since the beginning of Kalistan's Conservation movement more than 1000 years ago.  The National Service Program has spent those centuries carefully tending Kalistan's old growth forests, clearing underbrush, and conducting planned burns that help keep the forests healthy, maintaining wildlife populations, and protecting property in the forests of Kalistan and Ananto.  The goal is to ensure that Kalistan has indefinite access to renewable resources and maintains natural beauty for its citizens to enjoy.

Part of that effort is the unit that Her Highness, Crown Princess Mary Natalia Ananto-DeLaurentis is assigned to as she does her National Service.  The Nevaras Corps have long played a significant role in maintaining the Oldest growth forests in the high plateaus of Nevaras.  Much of the forest along the Baltusian Frontier is thickly forested with giant Redwood trees that are often more than 1000 years old.  And the Crown Princess couldn't be happier in her work.

"It so happens that my interests were in demand at the time I came into the service," said Her Highness, the Crown Princess.  "I picked forestry, land reclamation, and trail maintenance for my preferences, and I was lucky to end up with my first choice.  Now I spend all day every day in the woods, doing forest maintenence, or go to depleted farm land in the Central Valley and plant new trees.  It's very hard work, and I absolutely love it.  I really enjoy the people I serve with too:  they are all very enthusiastic about this work, and it really makes me feel very positive and optimistic."

Her Highness has now completed half of her national service, and said she is considering re-enlisting.  "If I am not needed back in Kaliburg, I might just do a second tour.  I honestly can't imagine being trapped in some classroom in a college in a city somewhere.  It's really not my scene.  But when you wake up early in the morning, crawl out of your bivouac and get that first breath of camphor from these trees, it just activates all the senses.  Who would ever trade this for the city life?"  There is nothing that specifically precludes the Crown Princess from re-enlisting, but eventually, she will need to take classes too.  She will need to leave the forest eventually, to sit on the throne of Ananto and Kalistan.

Her Highness said she intends to take a week of leave in a couple weeks so she can go camping.  "Yes, we spend a lot of time in the field, but we do work all day.  I know how to backpack, I know how to orienteer, I know where the best camping spots in the Nevaran Forest are, and where the water is and where the waterfalls are.  So I am just gonna take a week before it gets too cold out here, and go out and hike and pick a spot and just meditate in nature.  And not do any work at all."

The future Empress of Kalistan had to get back to work with her unit in the Nevaras Corps, but in closing, she put a pitch in for future foresters.  "If you really want an experience where you get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, and just get back to nature, put in for work in Nevaras.  It is an experience I will never forget!"

@LaModa