Kalistan

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Empress celebrates 25 Millionth Redwood Planted
"Program is a phenomenal success," says Her Imperial Majesty
Davon Mountains, Grand Duchy of Ananto
September 30, 5647


Her Imperial Majesty stands with a grove of two year old Redwoods in the North Slope of the Davons

The vast reforestation program begun almost 15 years ago has just celebrated a milestone as the 25 Millionth Kalistani Redwood was planted in a grove on the Northern Slope of the Davon Mountains. Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Mary I Ananto was on hand to celebrate the planting, but she left the honors to Dulnerstaad native Kimberly DeLessops, 13, who was not even born when the Redwood Program began in 5733.

"We are here to mark this occasion and to say Thank You to all the Kalistani Citizens, members of the NSP Forestry Corps in Ananto, Odufaray and Vrassa, and the vast number of donors to this program who have seen us through to this day. With your help, the Kalistani Redwood, which once covered the Northern Slopes of our Island and our mainland has been reintroduced and saved, and within a decade, passing vessels will see trees hundreds of feet tall gracing our land as they once did. You, our people, have saved this mighty and prolific species from extinction and for this, we are so grateful."

A crowd gathered for the event including DeLessops' 8th Grade Class, several National Conservationists, and members of the Duchy Government. DeLessops was specifically chosen to plant the 25 millionth tree because she won an Essay Contest that was open to all children in Ananto. Her essay, titled "The History of the Kalistani Redwood," was selected by a panel of educators for both its thoroughness and its narration. At the event, DeLessops was invited to read her essay to the Empress in Informal Audience. Following the reading, DeLessops received her seedling from the Empress herself, and then planted it in the ground, along with water and a small handful of fertilizer.

One of the last old growth Redwood groves north of Eveari, where many of the initial seedlings were obtained

The seedling was the 25 millionth seedling in the Empress' decade and a half old Forestry Initiative, but it is estimated that since the program began, there have been somewhere between 3 and 5 million additional trees planted in Vrassa through a Duchy led incentive program. "Our goal was to restore the forest," said Her Imperial Majesty. "The Kalistani Redwood is such a beneficial tree, and through conservation and careful management of our forests, we can both have a reliable source of excellent lumber and building materials, as well as enjoy the natural solitude and beauty that our redwood forests can provide us. The North Coast of Ananto and Kalistan and the Dragon Hills can be restored to what they once were, and though we will likely never see those days, it is our hope that our children and grandchildren gain the benefit of all of our labor on their behalf to bring this majestic tree back from near complete loss."

The Forestry Initiative planted its first ten million trees in its first five years, and has been going strong ever since. Kalistanis often join work crews for a week or two every summer, digging holes and planting trees, and the Empress herself joins as often as her schedule (and more recently, her health) permits. It is seen as a good opportunity to not only do something fantastic for the environment and for the Empire, but also to meet with the Empress on an informal basis, though of course, rules of protocol are still maintained even while actively working side by side with Her Imperial Majesty.

"Our intention is to continue planting trees as long as we have space to do so," said Her Imperial Majesty. "Next season, we would like to move on to Ananto's West Coast, and focus on Davon and Luxon Counties." Apparently, 25 million trees is not enough for the Empress. "Ecology is the passion of our lifetime," she said. "We are all making a difference."

@TheRepublic