Washington can be a divisive, dispiriting place. But once in a while, a hero emerges to unite the fractious city. To demonstrate proud resilience in the face of insurmountable odds. To show that it’s possible to blossom in even in the harshest of environments.
Such a hero has arrived in Washington, not a moment too soon. His name?
Stumpy.
Stumpy is a cherry blossom, one of the thousands of delicate Yoshino Cherry trees first gifted to the U.S. by Japan in 1912. Their colorful yet brief bloom around the Tidal Bason lets Washingtonians know that Spring is close at hand.
But rising sea levels are overwhelming the Tidal Basin’s retaining wall. Some of the cherry trees are inundated by brackish sea water, which is poison to them; many have wilted and died. But one tree, though reduced to just a short, hollow trunk, has managed to survive.
The tree was christened “Stumpy” back in 2020, and has become a DC celebrity, attracting tons of visitors and loads of press attention.
Sadly, Stumpy’s days are numbered: the National Park Service is set to begin repairing the retaining wall around the Basin, which will require chopping down hundreds of trees. Including Stumpy. The silver lining is that the NPS’ botanists will take a clipping from Stumpy to cultivate new cherry trees. Stumpy will live on though his progeny.
But Stumpy’s influence may very well reach beyond the Tidal Bason and all the way to Capitol Hill, where a brief spasm of bipartisanship has broken out.
Perhaps Stumpy’s resilience is what inspired Congress to finally finish work on the current year’s budget bills, avoiding a feared government shutdown. Perhaps his unifying presence convinced the House to pass legislation by a wide margin to force TikTok’s Chinese owners to sell the app or be banned in the United States. And maybe, just maybe, his persistence in the face of long odds will motivate lawmakers to come together around a host of other looming issues, from border security to foreign aid.
Okay, probably not. But like the blossoming of the cherry trees, hope springs eternal in Washington. Long live Stumpy!
Speak Up for CRM in Washington!
Regardless of how, or whether, Congress acts on major issues, legislators face big issues that may impact preservation and cultural resource management. CRM firms have a lot at stake when Congress makes policy decisions that impact their bottom line. And there’s no better way to make sure lawmakers hear the industry’s point of view than meeting them in person.
ACRA members have a powerful story to tell policymakers about the importance of cultural resources management. As Congress debates policies that impact the CRM industry, it’s more important than ever to make sure lawmakers hear that story.
That’s why ACRA is holding its annual Capitol Hill Fly-In May 7-8, 2024.
Don’t miss this chance to join your fellow CRM professionals in meeting with your members of Congress to discuss issues important to the industry. ACRA will arrange your meetings and provide training beforehand. There is no cost to register for the Fly-In, but you are responsible for making your travel and lodging accommodations.
ACRA needs time to get your meetings scheduled, so sign up now before it is too late!