November 2009
Dear Friends & Supporters,
A sick child pulls at the heart of anyone who can see the pain and anguish reflected on a young innocent face. Our instinctual response is to help in some way, anyway, we know how.
The Merrimack River is our sick child, though even a keen eye can hardly see its pain. Waters sick with pollution flow along the 116 miles of its face, through cities and towns that sometimes take notice, but more often don’t see it. What we most often see is the fresh and vibrant life of the river’s water as it plays along its banks. The sparkling of the sun bouncing off of its face as it races to the sea. Occasionally, things that do not belong in the river are removed and make it a little cleaner for a moment. More often, things unseen in the water contribute to its sickness, remain and build up, and impact those who depend upon the river for so much, such as drinking water, local recreation and regional economic health.
In more recent years, the sickness/pollution has shown some signs of improvement – some might say remission - a demonstration of the efforts and positive effects of the MRWC over the last three decades. Your financial support helps us continue to address this sickness, and provides us with the resources for programs and projects reflecting our mission:
to protect the Merrimack River and promote the wise use of its watershed.” As good stewards, protecting the river for its own sake is important; equally important is protecting the river for the people who depend on it in so many ways.
At its dams, can you see the child playing red-light green-light?
Please do keep in mind that the Merrimack River is important to: thousands of business and commercial interests; millions of kilowatts in electric power generation; well over 300,000 people as a source of their drinking water; thousands of recreational users for swimming, boating, and fishing; and countless numbers of fish and aquatic species for life. It is an ecosystem of immense proportions with one voice free of governmental or corporate interests – the Merrimack River Watershed Council.
Can you see the face of delight in Newburyport, as it flows through the estuary like a child sledding down a snowy hill?
Give generously to this appeal and demonstrate your own care for the Merrimack River. Annual fund donations are a gift above and beyond your membership. This appeal is to you as someone interested in protecting the most valuable natural resource in the region, and promoting its importance and respect – in both commercial and recreational uses.
Sincerely,
Christine Tabak
Executive Director |
