Walden Woods Project

The Walden Woods Project (WWP) is a nonprofit located in Lincoln, Massachusetts, devoted to the legacy of Henry David Thoreau and the preservation of Walden Woods. It was founded in 1990 by recording artist Don Henley to prevent two development projects in Walden Woods, the forest around Walden Pond that spans Lincoln and Concord, Massachusetts. Its mission has since expanded from conservation to research and education on the works of Henry David Thoreau, whose 1854 book, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, have made the pond and woods world famous.[1] In 1998 the Thoreau Institute at Walden Woods was founded as part of the Project; today its library houses the world’s largest collection of Thoreau-related resources.[2]

History

In 1989 two development projects were planned within Walden Woods, prompting grassroots organizers to oppose the plan. Don Henley, who was influenced by Thoreau’s writings in college, offered to lend his support to the movement.[3] In 1990 he founded the Walden Woods Project, which ultimately purchased both the proposed development sites. The first of these, a 25 acre site on Bear Garden Hill, was bought in 1991; the latter, an 18.6 acre site on Brister’s hill, was purchased two years later.[4] An interpretive trail was later designed on Brister's hill, featuring quotes from Thoreau and individuals he influenced, and a section explaining ecological succession. [5]

The organization pledged to find a new location for the thwarted housing development planned. They later paid for the appraisal and environmental assessment on a 12-acre site in West Concord, which in 2013 was transferred to the Concord Housing Development Corporation.[6] The project’s headquarters were moved from Boston to Lincoln, MA, in 1997, and in 1998 the Thoreau Institute officially opened. Today the WWP manages nearly 170 acres across the 2,680 acres of Walden Woods.[7]

Education

The Walden Woods Project runs a number of educational programs under the name World Wide Waldens. The WWP hosts both on site educational workshops and skype sessions with Thoreau Institute library curator Jeffrey S. Cramer. In addition, it organizes an essay contest for students entitled Live Deliberately. Since 2003 the WWP has offered an annual professional development course for high school educators entitled “Approaching Walden”.[8]

References

  1. ↑ About Us. Walden Woods Project. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  2. ↑ Library. Walden Woods Project. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  3. ↑ The Short Answer: An Exchange with Don Henley. National Trust for Historic Preservation. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  4. ↑ WWP Timeline. Walden Woods Project. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  5. ↑ Hurley, C., "Where Dr. Suess Meets Henry David Thoreau", "The Boston Globe", March 2, 2014.
  6. ↑ Lefferts, J.F., Walden Woods Project delivers on affordable housing pledge, "The Boston Globe", February 21, 2013.
  7. ↑ WWP Timeline. Walden Woods Project. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
  8. ↑ Activities Overview. World Wide Waldens. Retrieved July 25, 2014.

External Sources