We're Almost There - Help Us Cross the Finish Line to Protect the Little River!
A special message from interim executive director, Pete Nichols:
Greetings!
I had the good fortune to attend the performance of “If a Tree Falls” at the Basil Burwell Community Theatre in Belfast last week. The play conveyed the struggle between survival through the exploitation of nature, and an ethic of coexistence, restraint and deep connection to an animate, living world. The performance was amazingly beautiful, touching, appropriately unsettling and ultimately a call to action. The players’ performances were incredibly heartfelt and compelling.
I found it especially heartening to see the storyline shaped by the work of Dr. Suzanne Simard, the forest ecologist who has revolutionized Western thought and science concerning trees, their intelligence and capacity to communicate. The play offered so much food for thought at a time when many difficult decisions face Penobscot Bay communities as the value of the natural world is weighed against intense development pressures.
We had a lovely evening and we are incredibly thankful to the producers and troupe for donating the proceeds of the play to support Penobscot Bay Waterkeeper’s acquisition and permanent protection of the Little River! Protecting this land in perpetuity is the final act in a 7 year long saga to defeat the habitat destroying and polluting Nordic Aquafarms project. So many members of the community worked tirelessly to protect the Bay and the Little River site, and we are now working to ensure the river, wetlands, forests and grasslands can continue to thrive for the benefit of all beings.
This 54-acre parcel is one of the last undeveloped connections from Penobscot Bay to upland habitat. It provides critical habitat for birds, amphibians and mammals, while offering food and shelter essential for overwintering species. The river and surrounding mixed forest are home to diverse species of waterfowl, nesting songbirds and resident winter birds, as well as many other creatures.
Protecting this land, and all of the gifts it provides, is also protecting the health and well being of the people. It is well known that in addition to all of the economic and ecological benefits of intact, diverse ecosystems such as this one, the need for green spaces for our mental and physical health, especially that of our children, is indispensable. Fewer and fewer communities can boast such an ecological gem right in the heart of their community. The Little River ecosystem is an essential part of what makes Belfast and Northport wonderful places to live.
Please join us in this effort to protect this wonderful ecosystem for wildlife, climate resiliency and community wellbeing!
We are about two thirds of the way towards achieving our $1,500,000 goal to permanently protect the Little River, help us by donating today!
Also, we are seeking volunteers to help us with outreach efforts at the Common Ground Country Fair on September 19 - 21. If you are interested in helping out for a few hours, please contact me at pete@penbaywaterkeeper.org. Thanks in advance!
And, as always, please feel free to reach out to me directly anytime.
For the Bay and the Little River–
- Pete
