Living in a coastal community, surrounded by amazing natural beauty and unique creatures we see each day, it is easy to take it all for granted. The ocean is a perfect example of this. It is both beauty and beast, and, at times, it can be a combination of magnificence and monstrosity.
Thus, when we awoke on the first Sunday in May to find a 50-ton fin whale struggling against the tide, it should have been a reminder. After all, this was the second time in a few weeks that the ocean tried to warn us. The first was when the high tide crashed through the same general dune area and onto Coastal Highway at the Indian River Inlet bridge. Now, for the second time, the ocean invaded both our community and our comfort zone.
For the dozens of people who watched the beached whale, the collective feeling of helplessness and hopelessness will not soon be forgotten. The message delivered by the second-largest creature on earth was clear: we need to do more to protect the living shore around us.
Several people watching that day were volunteers with the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute in Lewes. It is a 24-7 rescue group for marine mammals, including seals and turtles that is active year round.
That location near the Indian River Inlet bridge is directly across the road from the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, which has invested 30 years in generating critical scientific data and reports on our coastal community. CIB also develops education and training for volunteers working on environmental programs and projects.
Last, the Sussex Preservation Coalition is a group that has grown out of a merger of several community action groups struggling to fight the ongoing development tsunami that has swallowed thousands of legacy forests, poisoned water and wetlands quality, and caused the loss of endangered wildlife.
Each of these organizations need support through donations and volunteers to serve 365 days of the year. The message that the second-largest creature on earth brought us was simple: More help is needed now, and in our shared caring community, there are many ways to contribute.
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