Not too many folks have the opportunity to witness a birth, but if you were at the Augusta City Council meeting this past week, you could have done just that.

At that meeting, councilors endorsed the creation of a new and exciting group, the as-yet-unnamed bunch of outdoors advocates who will raise money and provide support for recreational trails and open space on city-owned land. David Gomeau, a former city arborist and councilor, is one of the group's leaders, and he happily admits to his biases. "I may, at times in my life," he says, "have been called a tree hugger." Especially, we imagine, when high up in the branches of an old maple.

In any event, this birth is a signal moment in Augusta's development from gritty mill town to city that acknowledges and celebrates its connection to nature. From the purchase of land surrounding Bond Brook (remarkably, a home to the endangered Atlantic salmon, right in the middle of Augusta) to the consideration of a trail network out to Togus on the city's east side, Augusta is moving toward a more expansive vision of what it can offer residents and potential residents and visitors.

More power to you, tree huggers. We're looking forward to watching you blossom.