Richard Sebring, Principal Horn of the Boston Pops, lives along the Sudbury River, which inspired this setting of “Veni, Veni, Emmanuel” and the accompanying visual imagery.
“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” -Henry David Thoreau
Lying just a half hour west of Boston, the wild and scenic wonderland of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers displays a subtle, ephemeral natural beauty in every season. Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, where these images were captured, was once in danger of being bisected by high-tension power lines. Thanks to the preservation efforts of a hardy group of early river advocates, we are still able to escape the buzz of 21st-century life into the magical, wild world of Thoreau’s rivers.
Today, three organizations are leading the effort to continue the work of the early river advocates. Sudbury Valley Trustees, OARS, and the River Stewardship Council collaborate to protect the scenic beauty, water quality, wildlife, and natural areas of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Thanks to these organizations, we have cleaner water, protected conservation areas, and amazing opportunities for canoeing, fishing, hiking, and enjoying nature in all its moods and splendor.