This is a story about a small cross-country ski area in Vermont, its tight-knit community, and the existential threat of climate change.

Named for its role as junction point in ancient New Zealand trade and migration networks, present-day Lake Wanaka has come to another set of crossroads. As increased development, rising population levels, and climate change threaten this pristine alpine lake, the local community faces an array of decisions about if, what, and how something should be done to protect the lake and their home. Listen to find out about what makes Lake Wanaka worth saving, the protections in place already, and the ongoing conversation of what should happen next to save this “jewel in New Zealand’s crown.”

Created, edited, and produced by Ingrid Thyr, Simone Langhans, and Marc Schallenberg. Music written and performed by Chris Selbach. Photo from Simone Langhans. Supported by Williams College (williams.edu), the University of Otago (otago.ac.nz), and Simone's Marie Curie Fellowship (https://www.bc3research.org/projects/sabercultural_eu.html).