15. How we can save the world using ancient tree genetics -- with David Milarch from Archangel Ancient Tree Archive

David Milarch, Co-Founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive
(www.ancienttreearchive.org), is a third generation nurseryman
with over 40 years of experience in propagation and reforestation
and has a vision of replanting the earth with the genetics of the
world’s remaining ancient forests.


In this episode, David shares what he and his team are doing to
propagate, reforest, and archive the world's oldest trees.
They're doing this so we're able to restore our forests using
clones of Champion Trees, that have shown they are capable of
surviving thousands of years, in order to improve the ecofunction
of the world’s forests and give us the best shot of combating
climate change. 


In the U.S. alone, we have cut down 98% of our old growth forest;
Archangel Ancient Tree Archive (AATA) is creating a kind of
Noah's Arc for trees so their genetics live on in these
environmentally uncertain times. They have already cloned about
130 different species of trees and they continue to expand their
work around the globe; they're even helping tree species with
assisted migration to ensure their survival. 


David tells us how he and his team of climbers collect and clone
ancient tree cuttings, and how they came up with a process to
clone trees that are thousands of years old, which scientists
said was impossible. David shares how his son Jake and his
climbing colleagues even developed a rope elevator so visitors
and non-climbers can go up 250 feet up and experience what it’s
like to be in an ancient Redwood!


If you haven't already, you should definitely read Jim Robbins'
book about David Milarch and his work. The Man Who Planted Trees:
A Story of Lost Groves, the Science of Trees, and a Plan to Save
the Planet is such an inspiring read. My mom and I both read the
book in a day, and we even talk about in Episode 9: Our 2020 Must
Read and Watch List. 





- Visit the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive website:
www.ancienttreearchive.org 


- Donate to AATA: https://www.ancienttreearchive.org/donate


- Watch David's TEDxJacksonHole talk on Ancient Trees For The
Future: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y069UFbk11s





Mother Daughter Earth links:


- Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/motherdaughterearth


- Follow us on Instagram: @motherdaughterearth
(www.instagram.com/motherdaughterearth)


- Visit our website: www.motherdaughterearth.biz