The legacy of pioneering environmental activist Rachel Carson will be celebrated this weekend in Norfolk with a hike and discussion of “Crossings” by Ben Goldfarb; a lecture on Carson’s continuing influence in the modern environmental movement; a children’s pollinator program and a play at Botelle Elementary School.
The programs are all part of the Norfolk Earth Forum on Saturday and Sunday, a collaborative effort by the Church of Christ Congregational, Aton Forest, Botelle School, Great Mountain Forest, the Norfolk Conservation Commission, the Norfolk Land Trust and the Norfolk Library.
Saturday events include a “Books and Boots” hike and talk at 10:00 a.m. along the Tait section of the Billings Trail, during which hikers will discuss Ben Goldfarb’s book, which looks at how road ecology is shaping the future of our planet. Meet at the trailhead .4 miles east of the intersection of Grantville and Winchester roads.
The program is offered through the Norfolk Library, and the Norfolk Land Trust. No hiking experience or reading is required. Register here.
At 2:00 p.m., a “Connecting Community and Nature” lecture will be held in Battell Chapel with Rebecca Henson, founder of the Rachel Carson Springsong Museum in Maryland, who will describe the effect of Carson—author of the seminal “Silent Spring”—had on the modern environmental movement. The program is sponsored by Aton Forest. Register here.
Sunday brings a children’s program, “Help the Pollinators,” at 11:00 a.m. at Battell Chapel. Children are invited to come to learn about pollinator pathways, start seedlings of purple coneflowers to take home, and make a steppingstone for their home garden. Register here.
The program is offered by Great Mountain Forest and will be followed at 2:00 p.m. at Botelle School by the play, “A Sense of Wonder,” a one-person performance by stage, film and television actor Kaiulani Lee based on the writings of Rachel Carson.
This performance, which is rated PG-13, is offered free. Donations will be welcome. Register here.