Last Thursday, I was fortunate to be among about 75 people who gathered at the Footbridge Beach parking lot in Ogunquit to unveil a rock dedicating the estuary in memory of Isabel Lewando who died in 2011. Isabel came to Ogunquit in the 1950's and established herself as a model, artist, writer, and photographer. She was also a life-long defender of the environment, particularly the Ogunquit River and beach.

Isabel was a leading member of SCROD (Special Committee to Restore Ogunquit's Dunes) the local group that took the Army Corps to court over their mismanagement of the Ogunquit Beach dune restoration project following the 1978 storm. She was tireless in her efforts to re-open the clam flats for harvesting, conducting years of water testing, and then once they were re-opened, seeding those flats herself with young clams. She worked closely with the Wells Reserve to produce both an Ogunquit Watershed Survey Report and then a Watershed Management Plan that initiated the formal efforts to protect the river. She helped lead the effort to conserve Beach Plum Farm with its salt marshes.

I found her a constant inspiration and mentor. She combined great enthusiasm with personal activism and grace. She knew an individual could make a difference. Dedicating the estuary to her memory was perfect. Much thanks go to the Town of Ogunquit, and Marcia Beal Brazer and Bob Winn in particular.