The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) in Bath invites the public to participate in the fifth annual Winter Read, a community book discussion on March 12. This year's selection is "Hope Beneath Our Feet: Restoring Our Place in the Natural World," edited by Martin Keogh. The anthology wrestles with the question, "In a time of environmental crisis, how can we live right now?"

This is an event not to miss! Delectable refreshments by Solo Bistro of Bath and a friendly atmosphere to tackle the central question posed by "Hope Beneath Our Feet." Readers will be joined by an informal panel of community members, lead by KELT volunteer Jen Van Deusen, to help add local and regional insight to the discussion.

"Hope Beneath Our Feet" contains responses by Barbara Kingsolver, Bill McKibben, Michael Pollan, Vandana Shiva, Howard Zinn, and the afterword by Wendell Berry. It is collection of essays and stories that observe, challenge, and question our relationship with nature and its current state of crisis. The book presents opportunities to better channel our energies and to become engaged rather than despondent. It is a celebration of what we can do for ourselves, our community, and our world!

The public discussion event will be at the Hyde School Mansion starting at 6 p.m. As a bonus, participants are encouraged to bring a piece of literature that sparked their interest in the environment- whether it's a book, article, poem, etc. KELT would like to build the ultimate nature reading list!

Please contact The Mustard Seed Bookstore in Bath or Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick for a copy of "Hope Beneath Our Feet" to read the book before the event. This program is free and open to the public thanks to generous sponsorship from First Federal Savings Bank (www.firstfederalbath.com) and The Merrymeeting Bay Trust.