2006.07.18: July 18, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Ethiopia: Politics: Environment: Protest: Speaking Out: Lowell Sun: Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, is protesting the private high school's decision to build athletic fields in the woods, adjacent to the school's campus
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2006.07.21: July 21, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Ethiopia: Politics: Environment: Protest: Speaking Out: Boston Globe: Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late former senator Paul Tsongas, doesn't want the expansive Estabrook Woods touched, even by her alma mater, Middlesex School :
2006.07.18: July 18, 2006: Headlines: Figures: COS - Ethiopia: Politics: Environment: Protest: Speaking Out: Lowell Sun: Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, is protesting the private high school's decision to build athletic fields in the woods, adjacent to the school's campus
Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, is protesting the private high school's decision to build athletic fields in the woods, adjacent to the school's campus
Tsongas, 24, and fellow alumna Rachel Banay, 21, climbed adjacent trees early yesterday morning, using a ladder and rope. Draped between the two trees, close to the school's main entrance on Lowell Road, they hung a large yellow banner that read: Middlesex Do The Right Thing Save Estabrook Woods. The late Paul Tsongas, Senator from Massachusetts and candidate for President in 1992, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia in the 1960's.
Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, is protesting the private high school's decision to build athletic fields in the woods, adjacent to the school's campus
Branching out for the woods
By BRIDGET SCRIMENTI, Sun Staff
Caption: Molly Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, in her perch by the Middlesex School yesterday. She and a fellow alumna planned on staying in the trees overnight. Photo: Sun/ Bill Bridgeford
CONCORD -- Perched high in an ash tree, Molly Tsongas has a message for Middlesex School administrators -- leave Estabrook Woods alone.
Tsongas, daughter of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Tsongas, is protesting the private high school's decision to build athletic fields in the woods, adjacent to the school's campus.
"People oppose this project and they (the school) have bulldozed forward, disrespecting all parties, including their own community," said Tsongas, a Middlesex alumna. "We think the school is making an irreversible mistake."
Tsongas, 24, and fellow alumna Rachel Banay, 21, climbed adjacent trees early yesterday morning, using a ladder and rope. Draped between the two trees, close to the school's main entrance on Lowell Road, they hung a large yellow banner
"It's an educational resource that any school could envy, and it's sad to see Middlesex do away with that kind of resource," Banay said.
Members of a local group, Middlesex Graduates for Estabrook Woods, and Concord residents held signs, while Tsongas and Banay used a rope to hoist up a duffle bag with water, food and freshly charged cell phones. Despite yesterday's intense heat, Tsongas and Banay had no intention of taking a break from the tree limbs. Former students also held a 10-foot tall puppet representing writer Henry David Thoreau, who mentioned Estabrook Woods in his journals.
As of late yesterday afternoon, Head of School Kathy Giles said she was concerned about the girls' safety and passing motorists, but had no plans to remove Tsongas and Banay from school property.
"We just don't want anyone to get hurt," Giles said.
Tsongas' tree campaign is the second in the region in recent weeks. In Tyngsboro last month, Melisa DeMauro kept vigil in a 150-year-old pine tree on her property line after a neighbor threatened to cut it down.
Middlesex began planning to expand the athletic fields about 15 years ago. The project includes eight tennis courts built last summer, two soccer fields and a bridge to allow emergency vehicles to access the fields. The expansion would use approximately 15 acres of Estabrook Woods.
The school owns about 200 acres of the 1,200-acre forest.
About 110 of the 200 acres is preserved as permanent conservation land, after a settlement between the school and the town's Natural Resource Commission. In addition, a 50-acre parcel is restricted for development until 2027, while the school plans on developing a portion of the remaining 50 acres for the athletic fields.
Giles said school administrators have met with Tsongas, Banay and other concerned former students over the past year to discuss the field project.
"Over the course of a 15-year process, it can be very hard to feel listened to if your position isn't adopted," Giles said.
Tsongas and other alumni also argue that Estabrook Woods, designated a Forest Legacy Area by Congress and a Core Habitat by the Massachusetts Office of Environmental Affairs, should be preserved to protect endangered species.
Giles said the school conducted many environmental studies that prove the project will not harm endangered species and complies with local and state regulations.
At Middlesex, Tsongas led the student environmental group Common Sense, and later studied environmental sciences at Brown University. She works for an environmental nonprofit in Philadelphia.
Tsongas said her father would have supported her actions,
"I know he would be supporting me right now," Tsongas said. "He was ahead of his type in thinking about intergenerational responsibility in regards to environmental issues."
Tsongas and Banay planned on staying in the tree overnight through this afternoon.
"You recognize a treasure when you stumble upon it," Tsongas said. "Why would you sacrifice something so unique?"
Bridget Scrimenti's e-mail is bscrimenti@lowellsun.com.
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Story Source: Lowell Sun
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Figures; COS - Ethiopia; Politics; Environment; Protest; Speaking Out
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