By now, most have heard about the deliberate poisoning of the trees next to Laite Beach in Camden by residents of both Camden and Missouri.

The story has repeatedly been featured in the local and national news for quite some time. The outrage and concerns voiced by many people has made me think about the results of the actions and the very reach this story has made. The very reach toward my own health, the health of our groundwater, waterways, aquatic life, soil, children, pets, etc., even the neighboring park, and our own harbor as evidenced by the water testing of the toxic runoff into the water at Laite Beach. It is obvious that poisons travel and run off into other areas.

In some ways we are willingly and innocently using toxic pesticides and herbicides on a regular basis for the cosmetics of our own lawns, for our gardens, and shrubs. Are we inadvertently putting our own health, the health of our children, pets, birds, insects, soil, groundwater, waterways, aquatic life, at risk for eventual decline, as did the intentional poisoning of the trees?

This story has made me think about the foreseeable risks when it comes to using herbicides and pesticides in general. The silver lining to this story may be to recognize and bring an awareness of how we all may be slowly poisoning our own health, our loved ones and the natural world by innocently using such toxic agents. Summer is here, we all spend time on our lawns, pets and children play, families gather. Let’s research non poisonous solutions to retain the beauty of our lawns. After all, the people who poisoned the trees wanted a better view. Are we not wanting a totally perfect, green lawn? My father always said “put everything on a scale and weigh it.”

My conclusion is that the poisoning of the trees brought to light the obvious impact to all life. Can we enjoy health and the natural world without harm?

Jo-Ann Wilson lives in Camden