BENEFITING: Massachusetts Audubon Society, Inc.
In the days since Cookie passed away on December 22, 2014 many people have reached out to us to ask what they can do to help us honor her memory. While Cookie was involved in so many causes, one project stands out.
Since 1992 Cookie and our family have loved Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary. Having such a treasure in our own backyard brought Cookie pleasure in every season. To honor her memory and her love of Moose Hill, my family and I are raising funds to support the creation of Cookie’s Garden, a new innovative nature play area in the front yard of the Nature Center. This area will serve as an additional place to enjoy the beauty of this sanctuary.
Cookie and Moose Hill have a long history together. She volunteered as a teacher-naturalist, leading tours for children exploring the Native American heritage as well as the magic of maple trees and their syrup. In order to have all the children of Sharon be able to fully enjoy Moose Hill, Cookie worked with the sanctuary staff to provide kosher certification to the maple syrup, a process that continues to this day.
In October 2013 Cookie was diagnosed with a rare and deadly form of gastric cancer. During her 15 month battle she never gave up hope and was determined to live each day to the fullest. On many hikes and walks over the course of that year, she would stop on her favorite trails and raise her arms to the sky, and declare, “isn’t this glorious!”
In August 2014 Cookie rode 50 miles in the Pan Mass Challenge to raise money for Dana Farber Cancer Institute. As she struggled up Moose Hill Street on the second half of the course, friends gathered in front of the Nature Center at Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, “Cookie’s Corner”, to cheer her on.
Working with Moose Hill staff, we have learned that conservation behavior is often a result of significant life experiences in nature. We have developed a plan to create a rich and diverse area in front of the Nature Center. Our $60,000 goal will allow us to build a significant nature play area that may include items (either natural or designed) that allow kids to dig, mix, build, climb, crawl, jump, or move over, under, through and across. The nature play area might also incorporate secret places, opportunities for sensory explorations, or perhaps gardens that are structured or unstructured for beauty, food, and habitat. As we reach our fundraising goal, we will work with Moose Hill to determine what aspects of nature play they will incorporate into this new area.
Please join me and my family in creating this important addition to Moose Hill and to remember this singularly amazing, special, and wonderful person.
SUPPORT OUR MISSION BY CREATING YOUR OWN FUNDRAISER.
Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 35,000 acres of conservation land, provide school, camp, and other educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1896 by two inspirational women who were committed to the protection of birds, Mass Audubon is now one of the largest and most prominent conservation organizations in New England. Today we are respected for our sound science, successful advocacy, and innovative approaches to connecting people and nature. Each year, our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries welcomes nearly half a million visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and serves as the base for our work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (800-283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.