Live and Let Sturgeon Live

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.

This video better highlights how crucial the Delaware River is to the success of the Sturgeon as well as the dangers it faces and what has been the cause of its current endangered status.

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. 

For over twenty years, van Rossum has worked with the Delaware Riverkeeper Network based in Bristol, PA, an organization whose mission is to advocate for rights of communities living among the entire length of the Delaware to a safe, clean, and healthy environment in which people and organisms can not only survive, but thrive.  Through this role as the Delaware Riverkeeper, van Rossum uses her powerful voice and passion to demand all that is right and in the best interest of people and organisms that live along the entire length of the Delaware River and its watershed - the Atlantic Sturgeon being just one symbol that represents her efforts.  Having grown up and played in the creeks herself as a child, and still living locally with children of her own, Maya is not fighting for this moment and current generations, but has dedicated her life to fight for generations yet to come, and for that, I cannot thank her enough for all that she does and continues to do.

Dedicated to Lauren Kurzius for wining the ANJEE Outstanding Environmental Educator Award!  Continue to fight the good fight! <3