FOREST OF BLISS
New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light (NM IPL)has joined with the Albuquerque Sikh Gurdwara to plant hundreds of trees around Albuquerque. The Forest of Bliss campaign was launched in November 2019, when the local Sikh community planted the first five trees at Alvarado Park to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of its founder, Guru Nanak.
The planting of the trees marked the start of an overall campaign by the Albuquerque Sikh Gurdwara to plant 550 trees throughout New Mexico. To reach this goal, local faith communities are planning or have begun to plant trees in selected neighborhoods. The Dialogue Institute of the Southwest (a Muslim Turkish organization), Congregation Albert, and St. Therese Catholic Church are among the faith communities participating in the campaign. Several individuals have also joined by planting trees in their front or back yards.
A handful of trees have been planted in the International District as part of the Albuquerque Sikh Gurdwara’s tree-planting initiative. The ABQQiClovia event sponsored by the City of Albuquerque in October 2020 promoted additional tree plantings in the International District. Trees were provided to individuals who participated in a drawing and who commited to a care maintenance agreement to ensure the trees will be cared for.
We welcome all to participate in the Forest of Bliss project to obtain and plant trees this fall 2020 and spring 2021. We may be able to provide trees or help individuals and faith communities purchase trees at a discount. Once trees are planted as part of this initiative, please email Carlos at carlos@nm-ipl.org with the name of the individual or community planting the trees, the location, the date planted and the type of tree.
Please contact Ann with NM IPL at asims98891@aol.com or Ahiran at airhan.singh@outlook.com about trees and status of tree planting initiatives.
INTERFAITH TREE PLANTING BLESSING
O Holy One of All Life and of all names and no names, be with us!
Come, stand with us in what we are doing!
We have opened the earth and prepared this soil to receive this tree. As the womb receives the seed and nurtures it to maturity, bless this soil; bless this tree that is already a blessing.
May this tree be a symbol of our hope and a remembrance of life.
May sister water in our desert region bless your growth dear tree. May birds find shelter in your branches and may we find beauty from you in joyful and difficult moments. May our planting bring blessings to future generations of all species. Thank you for life. Blessed Be.