By Barbara Drew, Earth & Climate Ministry
Following is a brief synopsis of news from various local, state, and national sources compiled by the Earth & Climate Ministry.
Isles, Inc. June 2025 Town Topics, “Princeton’s Weekly Community Newspaper,” Anne Levin
The beauty of Trenton’s Cadwalader Park, considered to be landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s last great urban park, has been revitalized. Eight years ago, Cadwalader Park was in a state of decline. The 109.5-acre expanse of majestic trees and winding paths has reclaimed much of its former glory. Trenton has made this a priority and recently had the loop around the interior completely repaved. Additionally, there has been a concerted effort to plant trees in Trenton, including the establishment of a tree-planting initiative in Cadwalader Park. An updated website for the Cadwalader Park Alliance, “Cadwalader Park Memories” will showcase your memories or photos: submit through email cadparkalliance@gmail.com.
Trust for Public Land (TPL) “Land and People” Spring/Summer 2025
TPL protected 194 acres along the Appalachian Trail near Tyringham, Massachusetts, the site of a historic Shaker settlement. This area features sweeping pastoral landscapes and serves as an important wildlife habitat.
The Early Street Community Garden in Morristown, New Jersey, was established in 2009 when three women transformed a vacant lot into a community gathering and growing space. When the lot was threatened by development, residents rallied to preserve the garden, and TPL helped raise $2.1 million to save this beloved space.
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), Catalyst, Volume 25, Spring 2025
As the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency enacts federal layoffs, firings, and funding cuts, and deletes data, UCS wants to hear how these actions are affecting you. Members of Congress, the media, and the public need to understand the direct impacts of the work federal scientists and experts do. Your stories will help; please speak up for science by sharing your story: www.ucs.org/sp25-DOGE
Audubon, Spring 2025
Beyond Hope by Maddie Burakoff – Marine biologist Ayan Elizabeth Johnson is confident that a brighter climate future is possible if we roll up our sleeves to build it. Envisioning brighter days ahead without donning rose-colored glasses is the focus of What If We Get It Right, the best-selling volume by Johnson, published in September. The book serves up inspiration for climate action through poetry, art, and interviews. Scientist activists and author Johnson created a Venn diagram to help people find their ideal place in the climate movement.” Those who participated in UUCWC’s Climate & Social Justice Dialogues will recognize the diagram.
“Just before the end of 2024, the Bald Eagle finally became the national bird of the United States, when President Joe Biden signed legislation that gives the majestic creature its rightful, if long-delayed, perch atop America’s birds.”
National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), National Parks, Spring 2025
From Sea Scrap to Sculpture – Art installations have popped up at 11 coastal national park sites thanks to a five-year partnership between the National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of trash in oceans and the Great Lakes. Because debris can sink to the seafloor, float beneath the surface, or break into microscopic pieces, cleanup is a challenge. The ultimate solution is prevention.
Send more news items for consideration for inclusion in the next CrossCurrents to earthministry@uucwc.org