Barnstable Land Trust is making Climate Conversations Cool
National Environmental Awareness Month/September showcases 15+ ‘hot topic’ programs and a Fish Flags/Rising Tides Public Art Installation in Hyannis
Rising Waters/Fish Flags temporary art project
West Barnstable, MA – As part of National Environmental Awareness Month this September, Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) will explore climate-related topics through walks and talks including art, literature, and science programs culminating in a Rising Waters/Fish Flags temporary public art installation created by community members in Aselton Park/Hyannis Harbor on Saturday, September 21, from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Working with 18 community partners, month-long highlights include story walks and upcycled crafts at various libraries, a watch party and discussion of the 2012 animated film based on Dr. Seuss’ book The Lorax, a beach clean-up, a climate change trail hike by Resilient Woods Hole, an author talk about climate conversations, and much more. A full calendar of events, resources, and more information can be found here.
A key highlight will be a community-led art installation of Climate Creatives/Rising Waters “fish flags” that will create a visual display of rising sea levels in 2030, 2050, and 2070. While making its Cape Cod debut, Rising Waters has been installed over 40 times in the US, Panama, and Hong Kong, including in 16 Broward County Schools. Plans for hands-on activities during the day include a temporary onsite marine debris art sculpture led by Hyannis businesswoman and artist, Sarah Thornington of Ebb the Tide, and an art/science walk by The daVinci Pursuit focused on water, climate change, and fish through a creative lens.
“According to the Yale Center for Climate Communications, 76% of people in the US believe global warming is happening and that it is a priority, but most people rarely talk about it” says Janet Milkman, Executive Director of Barnstable Land Trust. “As a Cape Cod land trust, we focus on developing nature-based solutions but we believe that it is also important to engage the broader community. Through collaborations and programming, we hope BLT’s initiative will inspire new climate conversations both on and off the trails.”
A special thanks to our Climate Conversation partners: Town of Barnstable (Arts|Barnstable and Natural Resources/Sandy Neck), Climate Creatives (Boston), CCB Media, Woodwell Climate Research Center (Woods Hole), Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Mass Audubon, Resilient Woods Hole, The daVinci Pursuit, Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Sturgis Library, Centerville Library, Cotuit Library, Osterville Village Library, LoveLiveLocal, CARE for the Cape and Islands, and other Cape Cod Conservation groups. Cape Cod Academy senior Megan Morey, ecologist Gil Newton, artist Sarah Thornington / Ebb the Tide, and retired librarian Ellen Snoeyenbos (Walking Readers Group), are also providing special programs during the month.
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Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected over 1,250 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. Recognized as a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy, BLT leverages its conservation expertise to inform local public decisions as they impact our ecosystems, community health, well-being, and quality of life. To learn more or to access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide – English and Portuguese versions, Cape Cod Pathways/Barnstable Trail Guide, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit www.BLT.org or call 508-771-2585.