"Wild Creatures - 40 Years Protecting Endangered Species" Art at D&R Greenway Land Trust

“Endangered” - 1913 Webster’s Dictionary: “being in a condition or situation where life is in danger or at risk, where serious harm is possible; small in numbers, with significant possibility of extinction.” 

 “Extinction” – The Cambridge Dictionaries:  “a situation in which something no longer exists.” 

D&R Greenway Land Trust invites the public to “Wild Creatures – 40 Years Protecting Endangered Species”, a multi-media exhibition of creatures on the brink of extinction, creatures lost for all time, and species brought back to various levels of thriving.  This art may be viewed from January 29 through March 21 in the Marie L. Matthews Galleries of the Johnson Education Center.  Originally conceived as a folklore of wild creatures, the exhibit has expanded to honor the passing of the Endangered Species Act forty years ago. 

The artists’ reception is Friday, January 31, from 5:30 to 7:30.  Exhibit and reception are free, but call 609-924-4646 or info@drgreenway.org to register for reception.  Call to be sure Galleries are not rented at time of prospective visits at other times.  The land trust is located south of Princeton, off Rosedale Road, at One Preservation Place, Princeton, 08540. 

D&R Greenway Curator, Diana Moore, gathered species-specific work of a broad range of local artists for aesthetic reasons, first and foremost:  Annelies van Dommelen, James Fiorentino, Susan Hoenig, Tom Mills, Dallas Piotrowski, Tricia Zimic, Megan Uhaze and Lynn Varga.

Ms. Moore’s paradigm, and that of D&R Greenway President and CEO Linda Mead, is always to heighten visitors’ awareness of the plight of animals in our midst, and intensify determination to preserve and steward land. 

The land trust is located south of Princeton, off Rosedale Road: One Preservation Place, Princeton, 08540.  The artists’ reception is Friday, January 31, from 5:30 to 7:30.  Exhibit and reception are free, but call 609-924-4646 or info@drgreenway.org to register for reception.  Call to be sure Galleries are not rented at time of prospective visits at other times.

Diana Moore describes the upcoming exhibition as “really rich, educationally.  The viewer’s experience will segue from Extinction Timeline realities to promising Success Stories of Extermination.  A unique feature will be The ABC’s of Preservation.  The EVJ Room will be transformed into Annelies van Dommelen’s Bestial Alphabet.  Guests will learn why these fascinating creatures are endangered, and how they can help.”  The selected pieces include include images of animals such as deer and foxes, whose populations are currently out of balance.  Success stories include the peregrine falcon, black-footed ferret, American bald eagle, grey wolf and American bison, among others.

BACKGROUND

Endangered Species Act:  (Wikipedia) The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 7 U.S.C. § 136, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) was signed into law in December of 1973.  It protects critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation"   According to the United States Supreme Court, the "plain intent of Congress in enacting [the ESA] was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost."

D&R Greenway Land Trust’s mission is to preserve and protect natural lands, farm lands and open spaces throughout central and southern New Jersey.   The land trust celebrates preservation of 26.5 miles since1989, - an area three times the size of Trenton.  Through continuous preservation and stewardship, D&R Greenway nurtures a healthier and more diverse environment in seven counties. 

D&R Greenway’s home, --a circa-1900 restored barn--, the Johnson Education Center, has become a focal point for conservation activity. Through programs, art exhibits and related lectures at One Preservation Place, the non-profit inspires greater public commitment to safeguarding land. 

Linda Mead, President and CEO, since 1997, has been increasingly recognized as a leader in creating the partnerships and orchestrating the complex transactions that lead to preservation success.  www.drgreenway.org

 Endangered is defined in the 1913 version of Webster’s Dictionary as “being in a condition or situation where life is in danger or at risk, where serious harm is possible; small in numbers, with significant possibility of extinction.”  Extinction, according to the Cambridge dictionaries, means a situation in which something no longer exists.”