President’s Message: New Year 2022
By Carol McCasland, BCAS President
It’s hard to believe it’s a new year -- 2022. A new year offers the arrival of a fresh start; many make resolutions for improvement and change. However, our whole community was hit by tragedy on the cusp of this new year. The Marshall Fire sent many of us evacuating to friends’ and relatives’ homes for a few days, wondering if our homes had survived this brutal fire. Personally, I thank Joe and Pam Piombino for opening their home to me (and my dog!) for a few nights. I know some on our board and in our membership went to other long-time Boulder Audubon members’ homes and other members hosted other evacuees. The outpouring of offers for a place to stay was overwhelming (in a wonderful way)! Sadly, at least four of our members lost their homes. For those folks, our hearts go out to you and we want to help where we can.
For those of us who live in Louisville, Superior, and unincorporated Boulder County, the recovery will be many years in the making. Those of us who did not suffer the loss of property still can’t believe we were spared, when we see entire neighborhoods just blocks away completely gone. We are not yet at the “whew!” stage -- I don’t know if we ever will be, thinking of our neighbors who lost everything.
So, what do we do now? Many in our community have gone to great lengths to reach out; financially, with love, kindness, compassion, and with what material possessions can be used now. We will be doing this for years to come as we provide continued support to each other. I am so grateful for the many kindnesses shown in my community, pop-up free food and food giveaways; coordination to donate quality, needed items; musical instrument drives; offers for medium and long-term housing. You name it, someone has thought of a way to help. Overall, the kindness is pervasive and cheering.
Great-horned Owl. Photo by Anuradha Shankar.
At this time, being in nature can add hope. The first night I was back at home, I heard a Great-Horned Owl hooting in my cottonwood tree in the backyard. It reminded me that there is still life to be enjoyed, even in the midst of such sorrow. Walking my dog in the local open space in Louisville that was not affected, reminds me that nature is still out there, and can be a solace. A friend of Boulder Audubon called me excitedly this week that there was a Northern Goshawk in her yard in Louisville. For some minutes, the sorrow was forgotten, and the image of that magnificent raptor in MY community brought me joy.
Each of us can also look at our own homes and work, or work with landlords, to improve the wildfire safety of our own homes. As we continue to live in a changing climate here in Colorado, we will need to expand our wildfire contentious practices out of forests and onto the plains. Find out more about the resources offered by Boulder County.
So my advice for the first months of 2022 is to look for the solace and joy in nature where we can find it. Reach out to those in need in whatever manner you can. And above all, be kind.