By Voting YES on 6, We Can Defend Natural Places Still In the Process of Formation
By Voting YES on 6, We Can Defend Natural Places Still In the Process of Formation
“In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity, (leaving me my eyes,) which nature cannot repair"
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
When I walk through the deep woods of Massachusetts, I feel as though I have entered a magical place, the realm of sprites and specters invisible only by sight. Certainly, there are eyes of creatures and beasts upon me, initially protesting my intrusion. Yet, by remaining silent and out of view, they signal a surrender of acceptance. In time, I could be absorbed in this world and easily consort with “the people”— the reference to animals made by John Muir.
In Tolkien’s epic The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins journeys through the magical forest Mirkwood. Surrounded by these trees, I feel I am on the same path now, though I maintain little hope of locating another magical ring. There is a quiet majesty to our forests — a sense of history, resilience, and balance that we have a duty to protect.
In my little town of Groveland, and all across Massachusetts, there are magical places such as these. For decades, local people have worked to preserve open space, protect animals, and advocate for land conservation. Here in Groveland, we’ve worked to clean up an aquifer - our own life-giving source of water - once poisoned by uncaring industry, but now reclaimed to benefit countless generations.
Over the years, our town has worked hard to strike a balance between necessary community growth and environmental stewardship. Without proactive planning and long-term vision, the natural spaces that define our landscape and protect our water supply can be easily lost. True stewardship ensures that as our communities grow, we embrace the magic of the natural world and create a future where both our towns and our wild spaces can thrive side by side.
The Protect Water and Nature ballot initiative is our opportunity to turn that commitment to stewardship into permanent law. By voting YES on 6, we can help establish the Nature for All Fund, securing as much as $100 million annually for nature conservation, climate resiliency, and clean water protection across Massachusetts. We cannot simply wish for these woods to remain; we must vote to protect them. Let’s ensure that the natural beauty and clean water we enjoy today remain intact for the future.
I contemplate these things when I consort with the flora, fauna, and the quiet mysteries thriving in the shadows of trees. There is a profound hope in knowing that long after our time here is done, and our elements return to the earth, these wild places will remain. By voting YES on 6, we can ensure our forests stand secure, continuing to grow, transform, and inspire for generations to come.
Photo by Joe D’Amore: The forest near Ammonoosuc Lake, Bretton Woods, NH
Nature for Massachusetts is a major grassroots coalition advocating for a ballot initiative to establish the Nature for All Fund, which would dedicate over $100 million annually to nature conservation, climate resiliency, and outdoor recreation access.
About the Author
Joe D’Amore leads contemplative hikes in the White Mountains of NH and on Cape Cod for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). He writes “ The Outward View” for North Of Boston Media Group. He supports November’s ballot “Protect Water & Nature” initiative.
You can reach him at damorecos@gmail.com