Conversations That Connect
Wisdom of Rivers
Who are we?
Sadie Woodward
Delaney Belanger
Hi, I’m Sadie! I’m a lifelong resident of Rowley, Massachusetts, living on the bank of the Mill River. I began my journey for the betterment of the environment as a fellow in the successful campaign to re-elect Ed Markey to the Senate in 2020. It was around this time that I discovered the Climate Cafes, which connected me to a wonderful group of passionate, vocal young people! I’ve also worked as an intern, then a Climate Policy Specialist, at the Ipswich River Watershed Association. During my time at Wheaton College in Massachusetts, I received a bachelor’s in Environmental Studies with a minor in Peace and Social Justice, had two amazing study abroad experiences in Portugal and Madagascar, and completed a thesis focusing on the opinions of college students on climate change. Since graduating in 2023, I’ve worked for my mother’s garden design business, a local bakery, and most recently in the offices of Hall and Moskow. My passions include creating environmental and climate solutions at a community scale, such as sustainable homes, transportation, agriculture, and city infrastructure.
My name is Delaney Belanger and I am a rising senior at Newburyport High School. The main reason why I am interested in getting involved in a Climate Cafe is because my family has always been very connected to the river and water recreation activities, and therefore we are very disappointed with the river pollution. I have worked with water quality monitoring through the Merrimack Watershed Council, as well as proposed solutions for the CSO contamination to the city of Newburyport (which resulted in an increase of warning signage along the river). I hope to be a part of the solution and "inspire citizens to take action".
Emily Geist
Hi! My name is Emily Geist and I’m a student at the Governor’s Academy in Byfield. I’ve lived in Newbury for most of my life and the Merrimack river has always been a staple in the town. To me, the Merrimack river means a home and community. The river provides a habitat for nature. Birds, newtons, invertebrates, and vegetation all rely on the river to survive. Not only does it provide a home to wildlife, but it provides a sense of community. Throughout the towns the river touches, groups of people come together to help preserve its water quality and restore its natural beauty. I can remember being in Elementary school and joining the “Save the Merrimack Club,” a club consisting of 15 second graders who made posters about the Merrimack river. Overall, the Merrimack truly is a cornerstone of New England and deserves to be taken care of.
_edited_edited.jpg)
Morgan MacRae
Hi, I’m Morgan! I am a rising junior at Ipswich High School and have lived there my whole life. I’ve been involved in bettering my community and the communities around me since 4th grade. I plan on pursuing environmental change for the rest of my high school career and hopefully my life. Recently, climate cafes and local conversations have shown me how the Merrimack River is in dire need of help. Growing up in Ipswich, a majority of my time was spent by the water, therefore it has a special place in my heart. The peers and elders I have met in my journey through change have inspired me to take more action, especially in the issues surrounding the Merrimack. The Merrimack River is home to wonderful creatures and is called home to many citizens up and down the river. But I know change is needed and I want to take action towards making it healthy and free from the dangers infringing upon it. I hope to be a part of the movement that restores this river to its former beauty.
Jaedin Guldenstern
My name is Jaedin, and I grew up along the Merrimack River Watershed from the woods of New Hampshire to the marsh of Massachusetts. This water has always been home for me and my memories. Some of my close-held memories include eating ice cream and wading into the gurgling Contoocook River with my sister, occasional camping visits in the White Mountains, or experiencing a storm at Shari’s Plum Island cottage, cozied up with maple coffee and rainy windows. This watershed has raised me and nurtured me. You can catch me swimming all year, as I am a mermaid (freshwater and saltwater) of the Merrimack!
Our Special Places
OUR
ECOSOPHY'S
Ecosophy was an idea created by Arne Naess, a Norwegian philosopher. An Ecosophy focuses on us and our impacts on the natural world, and how we navigate it. Here are our rough drafts prompted by a few questions. We invite you to write your own!
