Maple Seedlings Rescue: Lake Washington, WA
To honor Sathya Sai's call to protect and nurture Mother Nature, Sai volunteers in the Seattle area, led by the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Lake Washington, came together for a unique Envirocare project dedicated to rescuing fragile maple seedlings.
While mature maples can offer shelter, shade, and a habitat for various animals and pollinators for generations, maple seedlings at their early stages are vulnerable to being destroyed if they do not receive careful nurturing and protection. Recognizing this need, on March 23 2025, a group of 12 Sai volunteers assembled to carry out this important task of rescuing young maple seedlings that have sprouted from seeds carried by the wind and taken root across the forest floor. These early seedlings face many threats—being eaten by deer or other forest animals, or perish without intervention.
With care and attention, members carefully located and gently dug up the young seedlings, preserving their delicate roots. The rescued seedlings were bundled into manageable groups, transplanted into soil-filled trays, and then transported to a volunteer’s home. There, they will be nurtured for several months until they are sturdy enough to be planted back into the wild, along nature trails across Washington state, helping to sustain and expand the region’s native tree population.
This initiative reflects the power of collective environmental stewardship, where many small acts of care multiply into long-term benefits for future generations. Each tiny seedling holds the promise of shade, clean air, and ecological balance, contributing to the preservation of native species and the broader health of the planet. Volunteers returned home with full hearts, grateful for the opportunity to serve Mother Nature in this humble yet meaningful way.
Reflections from participating members capture the essence of this project:
“Whenever I think of nature—especially trees—the first thing that comes to mind is their selfless giving. Throughout their lives, trees offer countless benefits to us without asking for anything in return. This project reminded me of that generosity and made me deeply grateful for the chance to give something back to nature, however small. I truly cherish this opportunity and look forward to being part of more projects like this in the future.”
Through this collective act of service, members of the Sri Sathya Sai Centers in Seattle continue to embody Sai’s teachings of love, humility, and reverence for all life—nurturing not only young seedlings but also the spirit of selfless service that lies at the heart of true spiritual practice.