In 2015 I learned from a friend that there were ancient indigenous ceremonial stone features throughout our forests. I began to see, to notice these features on hikes in the forest I had walked for years. In I toured tribal historic preservation officers through the forest to see these features. They verified that they were indeed indigenous features, and “Sacred”. In2017 I joined the Wendell Historical Commission to help protect these features. We became the second town in Massachusetts to sign an agreement with four Federally recognized Tribes of New England, for their protection.

I also became aware that, for the first time in many years, logging was planned in our Wendell State Forest, in a location where there was a large complex of indigenous features. State and Federal laws and DCR stated policies and procedures required that this complex of cultural resources be removed from the silvacultual prescription, and protected, placed Reserved as a Zone 1 Significant Feature Overlay”.

Over 2000 people opposed the logging of this forest which belongs to the people of the Commonwealth. Non-violent Direct Action was used after all attempts at dialogue failed. DCR logged for two months, violating multiple laws, stated policies and procedures, from August 5th of 2019, until early October. Protesters were there every day the loggers were there logging.

For me this experience is still fresh and painful. This is my initial attempt to create a personal memoir of this experience. I would like to slowly add to this project as the semester goes on.
In the present, I am wrestling with an enduring wound that the devastation of this magical pristine forest caused me personally. It was difficult to watch the protestor video as I edited it. The harsh sounds of the soundtrack filled my like every day for two months. Whereas, in my normal life, the sweet sounds of nature, and my artistic innovation work populated happy days.