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An artistic effort to bring awareness to the endangered “Obie” Cholla
There was a time when Cylindropuntia viridflora, the Santa Fe Cholla/“Obie” Cholla, could be found in Northern New Mexico, from Santa Fe County to Chimayo. With its apricot blossoms, this understated cactus is shorter and bushier than its showier fuchsia cousin. Before it became endangered, perhaps these unassuming cacti were mistaken for the taller Cylindropuntia imbricate, the Tree Cholla, when not in bloom.
Years ago, some of the remaining Obi Chollas in Santa Fe were spared by John “Obie” Oberhausen and Joe Newman, who saved the cactus from being bulldozed by developers. The two later went on to found the Cactus Rescue Program.
Unfortunately, this story sounds all too familiar. We could replace the Obi Cholla with Western Prairie Fringed Orchid, Rusty-Patched Bumblebee, or Red Wolf. If we listen carefully, we can still hear the echos of their songs.
How do we name these losses? Do we call them Carelessness, Disregard, Ignorance? Or dare we call them something less passive?
Could our causal relationship with the living world have started when we began calling water a Resource, rather than Life? Or, when we began viewing the Red Wolf as a dangerous predator to be feared? Could we stop calling these losses incidental or collateral damage? Can we stop looking the other way?
When we began adopting colonial settler ways, our relationship to plants and animals began shifting from mutual respect to hierarchy. With a culture built on extraction for the sake of progress, we began to unravel the very fabric of our belonging to this earth. The delicate balance of our natural world began to shift. Domination and extraction became king. If we continue a path of colonization, will we remain unattached to the magic of the living world? Could we indeed lose those very things we dominate?
Or could we choose to rewild our living world? Could we choose to decolonize our souls?
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How can you help?
Cactus Rescue Project: The Obie Cholla is merely one species almost lost forever. Thanks to a few caring people at the Cactus Rescue Project, efforts are being made to save it, along with other cactus. To get involved or learn more visit: facebook.com/cactusrescueproject.
The Santa Fe Conservation Trust is helping to create a network of natural, open lands in and around our communities, forever protected for all living creatures. They “protect culturally and environmentally significant landscapes, ignite people’s passion for nature and enable the continual regeneration of our healthy place.” To get involved or learn more visit: sfct.org
