Atlantic Sturgeon Sculpture by Kate Graves -- Located at Ferry Landing -- the end of Ferry St, New Hope |
The Atlantic Sturgeon located in our Delaware River waters are genetically unique to any species of sturgeon in the entire world as far as we know, and in most recent decades, we have seen their population, which used to thrive in these waters, dwindle down to near extinction with only about 300 spawning adults (numbers as of 2017). Environmental conditions continue to threaten these fish, not necessarily in the New Hope - Lambertville region, but along the length of the Delaware River and its connecting waterways.
I must have visited Ferry Landing with my two kids back in 2015 just before the sculpture's installation. This morning, when we came back to enjoy the fresh air and feed the ducks, we discovered this large beautiful metal Sturgeon looking out to the bridge and the fresh running waters with a small plaque description from the artist.
Sturgeon Sculpture Plaque |
Ironically enough though, just yesterday, I was reminded of the Atlantic Sturgeon and the reality they face when I had the incredible opportunity to listen to Maya K. van Rossum as the keynote speaker at the Alliance for New Jersey Environmental Education Winter Conference in Princeton, NJ. Maya opened with the story of the Atlantic Sturgeon to reinforce the importance of environmental education and activism especially in our current climate (take those choice words as you may).
During her speech, van Rossum spoke about her years of political crusades trying to make progress towards ensuring people's right to safe environmental conditions in which to life. In 2013, van Rossum was at the forefront and testified in a case against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in which a proposed bill would make it easier to approve fracked gas pipelines to cross through local waterways and communities along the Delaware. The PA Supreme Court sided with Robinson Township, Delaware Riverkeeper and validated the state's Environmental Rights Amendment, which in the past was written and accepted as a mere public policy or formality. This Green Amendment protects everyone's right to pure water, clean air, and healthy environment because the reality is that without these basic fundamental rights, we simple cannot have life, liberty or happiness.
Dedicated to Lauren Kurzius for wining the ANJEE Outstanding Environmental Educator Award! Continue to fight the good fight! <3
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