Naturalists’ Corner: No Mow May by Dori Dittmer

Newsletter: Spring 2025

April Meeting

Bringing the Rights of Nature to Western Mass

Presented by Lundy Bancroft

Following a brief overview of the Rights of Nature movement both abroad and domestically, we’ll look at some specific examples of what has and hasn’t worked in community efforts to use this concept in the U.S. We’ll continue with a discussion of some of the benefits and potential risks of attempting strategies to give nature legal standing in our region. Finally, we’ll discuss how the Rights of Nature concept can benefit environmental movements. Efforts to pass formal laws are only one way that this concept has power to bring about change.
About the Speaker: Mr. Bancroft been involved in various environmental causes for decades, going back to the movement against nuclear power in the 1980’s. Most recently he has been involved in Connecticut River advocacy, with a focus on the unfortunate relicensing of the facilities run by FirstLight Power on the River. Mr. Bancroft was one of the co-founders, with Sarah Mathews, of Western Mass Rights of Nature. Western Mass Rights of Nature has been fighting for better license conditions to be placed on the FirstLight operations, building relationships with local indigenous groups and individuals, and spreading public education about the Rights of Nature. They consult and assist local environmental activists who are
interested in bringing Rights of Nature laws to their municipalities, or who want to learn other ways to use the related

Wednesday, April 16, starting at 7 p.m.

Tolman Auditorium, Springfield Science Museum

Visit some of our partners’ websites: Springfield Stars Club Allen Bird Club Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary