In 1990, two large commercial development projects threatened the historical and ecological integrity of Henry David Thoreau’s Walden Woods, an area of 2,680 acres surrounding Walden Pond. Under the leadership of recording artist Don Henley, the nonprofit Walden Woods Project was founded. The organization launched a successful national advocacy and fundraising campaign to preserve the endangered sites.
The significance of the effort to protect Walden Woods continues to this day and was powerfully characterized by the late, best-selling author, E.L. Doctorow, who wrote: “‘That Walden is a humble place – an ordinary pond, a plain New England wood – is exactly the point. Thoreau made himself an Everyman, and chose Walden for his Everywhere. If we neglect or deface or degrade Walden, the place, we sever a connection to ourselves…”
Thoreau’s Walden Pond in Concord and Lincoln, MA
Walden Pond/Walden Woods is symbolic of countless efforts around the world to preserve places of beauty, biodiversity, environmental, and cultural significance. These places are the other “Waldens” we cherish and seek to protect.
Where’s Your Walden? If you would like to share the name and location of your Walden – a place of special meaning to you—go to Walden.org/education/wheres-your-walden.
While our organization now stewards nearly 200 acres of the historic woods surrounding Thoreau’s Walden Pond — including the two original endangered sites—critical challenges remain.
Last year, The National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Walden Pond/Walden Woods as one of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Among the threats that prompted the listing is a 35-acre municipal site (former landfill) located on the border of Walden Pond State Reservation. This area is used for a variety of municipal activities and could face commercial development in the future. Working alongside residents and officials from the community and the Commonwealth, we hope that preservation protection for this property will be achieved.
Concord Municipal Site near Walden Pond
Another looming threat relates to the proposed expansion of a regional airport only two miles from Walden. Developers have proposed a half-million-square-foot private jet infrastructure plan that would increase air traffic by 6,000 flights/year, with many planes flying directly over Walden Pond and Minute Man National Historical Park, causing disruptive noise impacts. Private luxury jet travel is the most deleterious form of travel relative to the carbon footprint emitted per passenger. Our organization is partnering with other groups in leading the opposition to this project, which is not only harmful to Walden and Minute Man NHP but also undermines efforts to address climate change.
The Walden Woods Project’s conservation initiatives are complemented and amplified by our research library, where extensive collections related to Thoreau are curated; by programs at our organic farm in Walden Woods; and by other robust educational offerings for youth, teachers, and the public that correlate with contemporary environmental and societal issues.
We hope you will make a tax-deductible contribution to help us protect the land and legacy of Henry David Thoreau and to preserve the historic Walden Woods for future generations. To donate or obtain further information, please use the QR code or go to Walden.org/donate.
This article made possible with the support of The Walden Woods Project
