After brief introductions and orientation to the Radical Joy philosophy and practice, a dozen and a half curious humans scattered across the Riverside Salem landscape to explore what this ecosystem along the Niagara River would reveal: a straw bale house with an uncertain future built by hand decades ago by members of the congregation; a once utilized and now partially hidden pottery shed, its wheel waiting for new artisans’ hands; a cattail pond with its cacophony of sound and color; co-mingling generations of diverse tree and plant species; a peaceful labyrinth, its pathway overgrown and obscured. After solo wanderings, we gathered to share food and stories of what we found as well as what we imagined for the future of Riverside Salem. Each of us added an “earth element” to our collective gift of gratitude to the land and its co-habitants. Congregation members shared memories of children coming to the cottage from urban Buffalo neighborhoods to swim, paddle, tend ires and sing at summer camp, and they spoke of their longstanding involvement in and commitment to social/environmental justice and peace initiatives in Western NY. We relected on what has been lost of the island’s ancient forests and imagined what could be thriving there again long after we’re gone if we learn to honor nature’s “right of way.” We settled into the simple pleasure of relaxing in the shade of trees, listening to the many quiet conversations within and surrounding our circle.