Earth day is fifty years old on Wed., Apr. 22. Appreciation for nature has deep roots in Warwick, and the local history department of Albert Wisner Public Library has prepared a web exhibit about some of the community actions of the past that have helped preserve the environment. The guide can be found in the local history section of the Library’s website, or directly at http://guides.rcls.org/environment.
The exhibit traces four historic social movements through their documents and reportage: The ill-conceived notion that the Black Dirt would make a great jetport; New Jersey’s attempt to dump tons of radium containing soil in Vernon, NJ; the long fought efforts to protect Sterling Forest from being broken up for development; and the preservation of thousands of acres of agricultural and open spaces on a town-wide level.
Each of these movements involved many citizens working tirelessly. Each of them succeeded in their goals. For the most part, the people who had such a profound impact on our quality of life in Warwick today were volunteers for a cause they believed in.
The guide also presents a selection of nature writings of a few of our most ardent nature lovers throughout history. There is also a form to fill in and record memories of the environmental movements. For more information contact local history librarian Sue Gardner, sgardner@rcls.org. Although the library is currently closed, emails are being read and responded to.
