by Jerry Hearn
In the Wabash Valley of Indiana there is a town called New Harmony. Founded in 1814 by a religious sect called the Harmonists (thus named Harmony), the town was purchased in 1825 by Robert Owen, the social reformer, who added the "New" to its name. Both groups had a similar purpose in mind: to create a harmonious social order based on selflessness, equality and community ownership of property. A pretty good value system. Both efforts failed.
The cause of their failure, it may be assumed, was the issue of community-owned property. It seems to be a hallmark of Western culture that each individual must control some piece of the material world, be it ever so small. So ingrained is this in our mythology that we bestow "sainthood" upon those who manage to vanquish this need. Yet equally strong is the desire to live within a supportive, cherishing community. It is the struggle between these apparent opposites, between the private and the communal, that colors what passes for political debate at the current time.
Yet are these really in opposition or merely ends of a spectrum in the middle of which lies a comfortable reality? And is it beyond the scope of reasonable people to uncover this precious middle ground? I believe this can be done.
As an example of this heady possibility, we need but to turn to the situation surrounding Palo Alto's Arastradero Preserve. We all know the history of its acquisition and its current use. The real issue at hand is the use or demolition of the existing buildings, an issue that hinges on the neighbors' concerns for their privacy. This concern is real, as is the desire to utilize the existing facilities for the good of the community as a whole: a classic example of the "private vs. public" debate that is so dividing the country.
Into this political swirl has stepped a new player on the local environmental scene, Bay Area Action.
Though mostly drawing members from the 30-and-under crowd, BAA has quickly risen to a place of prominence, having put on numerous successful Earth Day events and playing an important role in such efforts as the San Francisquito Creek management plan and the Devil's Slide controversy. With the energy and idealism of youth, BAA has come forward to offer a vision of the future use of the preserve that is utopian in its scope, yet grounded in real possibilities.
BAA envisions the preserve as regional center for environmental education and the study of human impacts on an ecosystem. Programs would be conducted that would address such critical issues as reduction of invasive plant species, erosion control, native plant regeneration and ecological fire control. The existing buildings would be renovated to serve as models for environmentally sensitive living, and would be used for conferences, field trips and other educational purposes.
Transportation to the structures would also be eco-friendly: by foot, by bike or by electric vehicle, of which BAA already has three. Throughout all of this, BAA plans to act as stewards of the preserve: as live-in caretakers, managers of the programs and active restorers and preservers of the land.
Too utopian, you say? Perhaps. But BAA brings a new working principle to the table, that of sustainability, a concept that can include both private and public interests. It is a concept rooted in the relationship between elements, between public and private, between humans and their environment, between the present and the future. Utilizing sustainability as the working principle removes the adversarial element from the discussion, for it underscores the fact that we must work all in tandem if we are to survive at all.
BAA's proposal bubbles over with ideas based on sustainability, and they have already put the principle to work in the political arena. They have reached out to communicate with all the parties involved, listen to the varying sides of the issue, and then work to create a plan that will address the issues in a manner acceptable to all parties. They are presently hard at work on the access issue, and through their willingness to include all parties in the discussions have already come up with several possible solutions to this thorny problem.
Funding, as always, is an issue. Under the guidance of Mary Davey, BAA leaders have developed a plan to raise $250,000, and have undertaken to raise $100,000 of this in pledges before submitting their complete proposal to the City Council. If helping to create a sustainable community resource appeals to you, this is your opportunity to support it. Pledges can be made by calling Jim Steinmetz or Holly Kaslewicz at BAA at 321-1994. With all of your help, we can create a "New Harmony" which preserves both private and communal interests.
Jerry Hearn, a Portola Valley resident, is a teacher at Peninsula School in Menlo Park and a member of several environmental organizations. He is a member of the Weekly's Board of Contributors.
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