Walden: The Ballad of Thoreau is a two act play exploring the vital role we each play in protecting the Earth by living more simply and preserving natural environments in our home communities. To date, 7,200 schools and community theatres have performed the play in 35 countries, bringing to life the lessons of Henry David Thoreau, father of the environmental movement in America.  A DVD and companion CD is available at www.waldenplay.com, and you can download the free radio drama at http://www.waldenplay.com/walden-radio-drama.php.

Thoreau’s records of Walden’s plant species from 1851 to 1858 provide a baseline for today’s naturalists. They report that 27 percent of this Concord, Massachusetts pond’s flowers have vanished. Another 36 percent are on the brink. Boston University scientists report that the average annual temperature there is now 4.3 degrees higher, due in part to surrounding asphalt and buildings, causing species that can’t adapt to earlier bloom times to die out because spring pollinators are arriving earlier, as well. Climate change is throwing off the synchronicity of nature.  Evolutionary biologist Charles Davis notes that “Major branches in the tree of life are being lost, groups that we all know and love: dogwoods, orchids and members of the lily and rose families.”