Story Info
Story Info
Joanne Martin
Beaver, Pennsylvania, USA
2016
Type of Wounded Place
Story & Experience
We chose the planned site for an ethane petrochemical plant—to be the largest in the country, second largest in the world—which will be sited along a formerly tree lined river across from a quiet quaint community. The sense of pain and loss is profound—for those new to the area, and for those who have lived in and loved this landscape for generations. When people first arrived there were stories of anger, disappointment and a sense of hopelessness. This was transformed as people returned from wandering with their bird-making materials. The group engaged now more with a sense of lightness, creativity and fun! Finding two ears of corn and a pile of mini carrots even brought a sense of almost hilarity to the bird-making! Because this plant brings the potential for economic gain to many in a distressed area, people are conflicted and opposition is underground. We each were relieved to learn there were others concerned about the environment and we agreed to stay connected for support and protection of the land.
We chose the planned site for an ethane petrochemical plant—to be the largest in the country, second largest in the world—which will be sited along a formerly tree lined river across from a quiet quaint community. The sense of pain and loss is profound—for those new to the area, and for those who have lived in and loved this landscape for generations. When people first arrived there were stories of anger, disappointment and a sense of hopelessness. This was transformed as people returned from wandering with their bird-making materials. The group engaged now more with a sense of lightness, creativity and fun! Finding two ears of corn and a pile of mini carrots even brought a sense of almost hilarity to the bird-making! Because this plant brings the potential for economic gain to many in a distressed area, people are conflicted and opposition is underground. We each were relieved to learn there were others concerned about the environment and we agreed to stay connected for support and protection of the land.
Beaver, Pennsylvania, USA
RECENT STORIES
For the Gulf Coast
Our beaches are being bombarded almost daily since the end of the first week of the sinking of the Deep Water Horizon with gatherings of people or all stripes: protests, prayer groups, volunteers, rallies for [...]
Remembrance Day for Lost Species in Helsinki 2023
On November 30th, there was first a session organized by the Finnish social and health sector project about eco-anxiety and eco-emotions (www.ymparistoahdistus.fi). This “morning coffee roundtable”, a hybrid event, focused this time on ecological grief [...]
Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest is an area of natural beauty in West Sussex, England. It is also one of the very few remaining areas of extensive lowland heath left in Europe. This rare and threatened landscape is [...]