ATHOL — While handing out goodie bags to sixth-grade students at the Athol-Royalston Middle School, the founder of Nature’s Way told them each bag had a special treat inside — a green bracelet with “Nature’s Way” etched on it.
“This is to remind you of this program, because this is a first in a series of programs about the natural world and how important your connection to this natural world is living here in the North Quabbin,” Pat Worth said.
By introducing young people to individuals who work in the natural world around the North Quabbin, Worth said she hopes to teach them the importance of “living in balance with the earth,” as well as help them develop a new appreciation for nature.
“I want young people to understand the North Quabbin is an extraordinary place to live,” she said.
A fly fishing guide, Ryan Leclerc of New England’s Guide Service, showed the students a fly-tying demonstration using feathers and fur. He also brought examples of bugs living in and around the Millers River.
Pete Mallet of the Millers River Fishermen’s Association was unable to attend the event to present on the protection and preservation of the Millers River. Instead, Worth played the students a video detailing the restocking of trout in the river. Previously, the Millers River was so polluted from the run-off of local textile mills that people were not able to fish there, said Worth. Today, the river is one of the best trout streams in Massachusetts.
Leclerc told the students that as the future generation, it is their reasonability to keep the Millers River clean of pollutants.
“I’m very grateful to have that river — a lot of work went into cleaning it up and maintaining it … so, we need your help to keep that river clean and keep it up to where it is. It was destroyed once, it could very easily be destroyed again,” he said.
Worth said the program was made possible by support from the Workers Credit Union. Next year, she said a tree walk for students to learn how to identify trees and learn of their benefits is planned with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Worth said she hopes to bring more community members to schools across the area as part of the Nature’s Way program.