After living in the Long Island Sound, Hudson River, Charles River, and Merrimack River watersheds, Joan retired and planted herself in the Provo River watershed, then the Weber River watershed. To learn more about nature in Utah, she completed the Utah Master Naturalist courses. The Watersheds course awakened her great concern for Great Salt Lake as she observed and measured record low water flows to and levels of Great Salt Lake, as well as the stressed brine shrimp population. For many years, Joan has shared her love of the outdoors as a volunteer leader of hiking, Nordic skiing, and snowshoeing groups. She knows that being in nature can be a powerful life-changing experience that provides solace and joy.
The life of Great Salt Lake is inseparable from our own. Even as the active collapse of our ecosystem challenges our notions of hope, we devote ourselves to a future shaped by human reverence, humility, and reciprocity. -Nan Seymour
Walking the Watershed was born at the shores of Great Salt Lake in the winter of 2021/2022 during a time of both cultural and ecological crisis. What began as a small group of artists, scientists and concerned citizens holding vigil at the rapidly receding shores of our inland sea, has during the past 2 years, rippled and reverberated with a growing awakening within our entire communities. Through being present in loving attention by her shores, we remembered and discovered that the lake is not separate from us, and we are not separate from the lake.
In this way, we invite curiosity about restoring our identity as citizens not just of our respective towns, cities, states and nations, but also as citizens of our watershed. Through Walking the Watershed, we expand our presence from the shores of the lake to include the multiple tributaries that feed her, and expand our invitation from vigil keepers to our entire community.
When the life of someone you love is at stake, you stay with them.