The Last Seed
My second-oldest son’s favourite book at the moment is The Lorax by Dr Seuss. It’s a story about the Truffula Tree, how it is destroyed by greedy “Once-lers” and the hope that remains when the Lorax, who is the guardian and voice of the forest, preserves the last Truffula seed.
Hogsback’s very own Lorax, Michelle Griffiths, is selling her family home and leaving the mountain on a new adventure. I met Michelle a few years ago, and we’ve had many deep and meaningful conversations about all things related to the natural environment. She has a wealth of knowledge about the Amatoles, and I always walk away from our chats having learnt something new.
Here are some of my key takeaways:
The Amatoles really are special.
“…I came across this glorious place.
And I first saw the trees!
The Truffula Trees!
The bright-coloured Tufts of the Truffula Trees!” (Dr Seuss, 2012: 12)
What makes the Amatoles special is the high diversity of fauna and flora, the various biomes and endemic vegetation found in this densely forested area. It is like no other place and deserves to be conserved and cared for.
An important source of water.
“From the rippulous pond
came the comfortable sound
of the Humming-Fish humming
while splashing around.” (2012: 15)
The Amatoles are a vital source of water for nearby towns and communities. Grasslands and wetlands are essential in storing water as well as releasing water back into the natural environment, all the while sustaining surrounding communities. Protecting the grasslands and wetlands is of the utmost importance.
Feel-good value
“And, under the trees, I saw Brown Bar-ba-loots
frisking about in their Bar-ba-loots suits
as they played in the shade and ate Truffula Fruits” (2012: 14)
Many studies have proven how beneficial it is to one’s health and well-being to spend time out in nature. We are, after all, a part of the natural world, not separate from it. Read that sentence again and let it sink in for a bit.
The many challenges.
“…thanks to your hacking my trees to the ground
there’s not enough Truffula Fruit to go ‘round….” (2012: 35)
I could probably write an entire article on this topic alone.
Ultimately, the Amatoles face many threats, such as loss of biodiversity, decreasing water retention and soil degradation. Additionally, climate change is putting even more pressure on the natural environment.
It also needs to be emphasised that practices such as commercial monocrop farming, overgrazing and regular fires are the biggest culprits negatively impacting this very special natural environment we call home.
So what can be done to mitigate these challenges?
“Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.” (2012: 61)
Well, first and foremost, the less humans interfere, the better. Nature is intelligent and resilient and, when given the chance, can restore itself. However, we can support natural processes such as rewilding and restoration by removing alien invasives, ensuring grasslands have time to recuperate, as well as covering areas where the soil is exposed.
Last but not least, get to know the natural environment around you. Observe what happens across all seasons. Get proactive about identifying the natural vegetation that grows here. Join iNaturalist and make contributions to the database. Share information and experiences with others. Get involved in community initiatives and projects.
“You’re in charge of the last Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.” (2012: 61)
Coincidentally, when writing this article, I came across a news report about the “last known wild individual of Dendroseris neriifolia” on Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island and the scramble to cultivate the last seeds of its kind (Mongabay: Dasgupta S., 2026).
“Unless someone like YOU cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” (2012: 58)
Are we really going to wait until the last “Truffula” tree is cut down, the last river has dried up and the last seed is destroyed before we take action?
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.
I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues…” (2012: 23)
Dr Seuss’s stories have always contained important allegories emphasising our moral and ethical responsibility to give voice to those that don’t have one. To not stand by idly, but rather stand up and confront injustices.
Thank you, Michelle, for doing that for the natural environment of the Amatoles. For the countless and often thankless hours you’ve spent doing the work on the ground. We wish you well on your new adventure.
What remains on my mind is: who will be the next Lorax of the Amatoles?
– Contributed and Written by Nicole
References
Seuss, Dr. 2012. The Lorax.
Dasgupta, S. 7 July 2026.
https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2026/07/rare-seed-collection-offers-hope-for-last-wild-tree-of-its-kind-from-chile/