The Guardian: "We know how to mourn other humans – but what about ecological grief?"

"In Iceland, people commemorated its first glacier formally declared lost to climate change. Western culture needs more of these rituals

Ecologists refer to great blue herons as indicator species;
their disappearance often signals deeper disruptions
 in water quality and habitat integrity.
Composite: Rita Liu/The Guardian/Getty Images

I remember interviewing a North Atlantic right whale expert years ago. He was a practical, science-minded man. But as we discussed a female whale that had lost her calf, he became visibly emotional. She had lost the previous one, too, struck by a ship. He seemed almost embarrassed by the depth of his feeling.

I wasn’t surprised. I found his grief honorable.

There are fewer than 400 North Atlantic right whales left. Every birth is a celebration; every death is mathematically and emotionally devastating. Scientists who spend years studying endangered species inevitably form attachments to them. So do many of us, whether to an endangered tree, a stretch of crumbling coastline, or summer nights once filled with fireflies.

Yet our culture has almost no language or rituals for this kind of grief."

Continue reading the article with the shared link ->    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/10/ecological-grief?CMP=share_btn_url

SAFE Coalition is offering free grief support groups for children and teens - Wednesdays Starting June 17

SAFE Coalition is offering free grief support groups for children and teens this summer in Franklin — a safe, welcoming space for young people to process loss at their own pace through art, play, and connection with peers who understand.

Four groups meet back-to-back on the same evening, divided by age and type of loss:

3:00–3:40 p.m. | Teen Bereavement (ages 14–18) — for teens who have lost someone to death

3:45–4:25 p.m. | Teen Grief & Loss (ages 14–18) — for teens navigating any significant loss

4:30–5:10 p.m. | Children's Bereavement (ages 6–13) — for kids who have lost someone to death

5:15–6:00 p.m. | Children's Grief & Loss (ages 6–13) — for kids navigating any significant loss

Significant losses include divorce, a parent's illness or addiction, major life changes, and more. 

No therapy experience needed, no pressure to participate, and no need to start from the beginning — groups are open enrollment and children and teens can join any session.

When: Wednesdays, June 17 – August 26 | 3:00–6:00 p.m.

Dates: June 17, July 1, July 15, July 29, August 12, August 26

Where: SAFE Coalition | Franklin, MA

Cost: Free

Register online

Amy Adams talks about the Wind Phone & healing with heART (audio)

FM #1483 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 1483 in the series. 

constructing the Wind Phone*

This session shares my conversation with Franklin artist extraordinaire Amy Adams. We had our discussion in the Franklin TV & Radio Studio on Monday, July 21, 2025.

 

Our conversation covers some of Amy’s work and approach

• The Wind Phone comes to Natick

• Dealing with grief

• Healing with HeART

• Mural and other projects

The recording runs about 51 minutes, so let’s listen in. Audio link -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-1483-amy-adams-on-the-wind-phone-healing-with-heart-07-21-25/

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* image of the wind phone construction edited from Amy's reel

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1295208835547147

Painting Venus - Amy’s art portfolio page -> https://www.paintingvenus.art/ 

Andrea Gibson quote we opened with:  

“I have never met a heavy heart that wasn’t a phone booth with a red cape inside

Some people will never understand the kind of superpower it takes for some people to just walk outside

Some days I know my smile looks like the gutter of a killing house

But my hands are always holding tight to the ripchord of believing”

Shared from Instagram ->   https://www.instagram.com/p/DMK1OK8ofa2/

The Wind Phone is located to the right of the entrance for the Common Street Spiritual Center. You do not have to enter the center. The Wind Phone is combined with art through Project Healing with HeART. It is dedicated to the community, for all that have been lost.  13 Common St, Natick, MA 01760, USA

• US Wind phone website  -> https://www.mywindphone.com/united-states-windphones 

• Food Pantry storage project -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/NjvmBZKtsqLpDPvF6 

While traditionally we think of 5 senses, the 6th sense came to my mind during my conversation and it turns out there are many more  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sense  

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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

• And if you have interest in reporting on meetings or events, please reach. We’ll share and show you what and how we do what we do

Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.

For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/  or www.franklin.news 

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com

The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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