During this process, differing opinions arose among the elderly residents. Some believed in strictly adhering to traditional methods and rejecting modern technology outright; others felt modern technology was superior and traditional methods were outdated. Lin Yue organized several discussion and exchange activities to help the elderly understand each other through communication. She guided them by saying, "Grandpas and grandmas, our traditional wisdom is the foundation, and modern technology is the new tool, like the two wings of a bird. Without either, it can't fly. We must combine the two to make the village develop better." After several exchanges, the elderly gradually reached a consensus, willing to embrace modern technology while preserving traditional ecological wisdom.
The elderly villagers also possess many unique examples of ecological wisdom. In weather forecasting, they have a special method. They observe the shape, color, and direction of cloud movement to judge the weather. For instance, they believe in the saying, "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors' delight." If a magnificent red sky appears in the morning, the elders know it might rain that day, and it's not advisable to go out for work; conversely, a beautiful red sky in the evening often indicates a sunny day the next day. Furthermore, if the clouds in the sky resemble layers of fish scales, the elders will say, "Fish scale sky, even without rain, there will be wind," indicating an impending change in weather.
The ancient ecological folk rituals are also rich in meaning. Every spring, the village holds a "Tree God Worship" ceremony. Elders lead the villagers to the ancient locust tree at the village entrance, where they place offerings and light incense and candles. This is not merely a religious ceremony, but also an educational method for ecological conservation. During the ceremony, the elders tell legends of the tree god, emphasizing the protective role of trees for the village and admonishing villagers to cherish trees and not to cut them down indiscriminately. This ceremony instills in the villagers a sense of awe for nature from a young age, deeply embedding the concept of ecological conservation in their hearts.
This ecological heritage has had a profound and far-reaching impact on the village's socio-cultural landscape and the values of its residents. In terms of socio-cultural aspects, the village places greater emphasis on the inheritance and protection of traditional culture. Previously forgotten traditional festivals and folk activities, such as the "Harvest Festival" and the "Grain God Festival," have become popular again. These activities have become a bond uniting the villagers, enhancing their cultural identity and sense of belonging. In terms of values, ecological protection has become a shared pursuit. Villagers no longer prioritize immediate economic benefits but focus more on the sustainable development of the ecological environment. Actions that might have previously involved destroying forests to cultivate more farmland are becoming increasingly rare. Everyone consciously adheres to the principles of ecological protection, actively participating in ecological restoration and conservation efforts while developing production.
The elders actively participated in the village's ecological restoration projects. They guided villagers in ecological restoration using traditional methods, such as planting native vegetation on the hillsides and employing ancient terraced farming techniques to prevent soil erosion. During one hillside vegetation restoration project, the elders personally led the younger generation in selecting saplings, explaining which saplings were suitable for sunny slopes and which for shady ones. They patiently taught the young people how to dig holes, plant trees, and water them, just as their elders had taught them.
Over time, the village's ecological environment has gradually improved thanks to the combined effects of modern technology and traditional ecological wisdom. The forests are denser, the fields more fertile, and the streams clearer. The role of the elderly in ecological preservation is becoming increasingly prominent; their traditional ecological wisdom, like a gentle stream, converges into a powerful driving force for the village's ecological development, laying a solid foundation for its sustainable growth. Watching the elderly and young people working together for the village's ecology, Lin Yue felt deeply moved and gratified. She knew that this intergenerational power would propel the village further and further down the path of ecological development, never ceasing.
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