Thursday Oct 1st 7:30pm
A talk by Nobel Prize Nominee Sheila Watt-Cloutier
"Everything is Connected: Environment, Economy, Foreign Policy, Sustainability, Human Rights and Leadership in the 21st Century"
A Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, offers a new model for 21st Century leadership. She treats the issues of our day not as separate concerns, but as a deeply interconnected whole. "We must now speak environment, economy, foreign policy, health and human rights in the same breath," she says. "Everything is connected." This is Watt-Cloutier's message. Every decision has a profound effect on those far from the corridors of power; to understand this connection is vital to building a sustainable world. At a time when people are seeking solutions, direction, and a sense of hope, she provides a big picture of where we are and where we are headed. Her advocacy work - not just environmental but all-encompassing - is grounded in human rights, in our shared humanity. For more info visit www.brescia.uwo.ca/sophia
Venue: Brescia Auditorium
Cost: Admission by donation. Suggested Donation: Students/Seniors $10.00, Adult $20.00
Thursday Oct 1st 7-9pm
Raw Food 101 - Central Library
When you think Raw Food do you think salad...salad...and more salad??? Well, think again! Think soup (yes,warm), think noodles and sauces, think chocolate brownies... Delicious! All of these tasty favourites have been created raw-food-style! Imagine, healthy, raw vegan cuisine the whole family will enjoy! Want to learn more? Join us as we embark on a Raw Food Journey. Location: Central 1st Floor Stevenson & Hunt A. Speaker: Therese Van Es.
Saturday Oct 3rd
Nutritional Herbalism Workshop @ The Living Centre
Let thy kitchen be thy apothecary; and, Let foods be your medicine. ~Hippocrates
Nutritional Herbalism is for the beginning herbalist and those interested in understanding the nutritional content of plants and how you can apply it to maintain or regain good health. Nutrition is the root to physical wellness; every living cell depends on it! For more information visit www.thelivingcentre.com.
Saturday Oct 3rd 6:30pm
'British Columbia' - Provincial Dinner Night @ Carolinian Winery
Welcome to our culinary exploration of the province of British Columbia. The facts that spurred and inspired our dish selection for this meal are courtesy of the Culinary Tourism Society of BC and the Government of BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands. Menu: Salad - Apple-Cranberry Greens, Appetizer - West Coast Grilled Mini Pizza, Refresher - Beef Consomme, Main - BC Salmon, Varietal Roast Potatoes & Blueberry Slaw, Dessert - Pumpkin Swirl Brownies with Pumpkin Ice Cream (everything but the salmon is sourced locally). Dinner Price of $35 pp includes two complimentary wine samples before the meal, mealtime wine pairing suggestions, live entertainment, as well as post-meal coffee or tea choice. Subject to taxes and 15% gratuities. Contact (519) 268-2000 for reservation.
Wednesday Oct 7th 7-9pm
GAIA GROOVES II - "Honouring the Waters of our World"
Performers: Ogiichiidaw Kwe Wag Singers(Mary-Lou Smoke & Warrior Women), Pulse Dancers(Ruth Douthwright), The Sudanese Women Singers/Dancers, Las Chicas(Afro-Cuban Rhythms), Joyful Noise(A choir of worldly songs), PHOENIX Drummers
Venue: Wolf Performance Hall, Central Library
Admission: Free
Thursday Oct 8th 7:00-8:30pm
Ontario’s Reptiles at Risk - Hosted by: Friends of the Coves
Friends of the Coves Subwatershed invite you to a talk on Ontario's Reptiles at Risk by presenters from Sciensational Snakes. Join us to learn about reptiles and reptile conservation. Assisting the presenters will be live reptiles including native Ontario species and some common pet species. At the close of the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to touch, hold or even wear live snakes. This is a completely voluntary activity and there will be rules to ensure the safety of the animals and participants. This will be a great opportunity for all ages to gain a greater understanding of this illusive and often misunderstood group of animals. Of especial interest to Coves residents will be a chance to see a live Snapping Turtle, a Coves species that has been listed as at risk. With most reptile species in decline in Ontario, it is important to be educated on how we can all play a part in reptile conservation. For more info visit http://www.thecoves.ca/event-item.php?id=149
Thursday Oct 8th 7:30-9:30pm
Wind: A Source of Power - Mayor's Sustainable Energy Council
Speakers: Dr. Jim Salmon - Zephyr North, Dr. Greg Kopp - UWO - Boundary Layer
Wind Tunnel, Richard Duffy - Ontario Power Authority
Venue: Museum London, Community Gallery
Admission: Free
For more information visit www.london.ca/energysaver
Saturday Oct 10th-12th
Fall On The Farm - Hosted by: Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Watch as farm families prepare for the coming winter with the harvest of the corn crop, textiles arts and wood stove cooking. Thanksgiving dinner available at the Pioneer Village Café all three days. For more information please call Fanshawe Pioneer Village at 519-457-1296 or visit the website www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca for additional information.
Thursday Oct 15th 7pm
Film Screening: FOOD Inc. (Hosted by: Slowfood & GreenDrinks London)
Food Inc. exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights. In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.
Venue: Hyland Cinema
Cost: $6.50 cinema members, $9.00 non-members
Friday Oct 16th 3:30pm
The Nuclear Question - The Acute and Chronic Dangers of Nuclear Power and Nuclear War
Speaker: Dr. Helen Caldicott
Venue: Natural Sciences Centre, Room 1 - The University of Western Ontario
As the subject of the 1982 National Film Board of Canada’s Oscar-winning documentary “If You Love This Planet,” Dr. Helen Caldicott inspired a generation to work toward nuclear disarmament. Dr. Caldicott continues her mission with her most recent books Nuclear Power is Not the Answer and War in Heaven. Everyone welcome. Sponsored by the Faculty of Information and Media Studies, the Centre for Environment and Sustainability, the Global and Ecosystem Health Interest Group at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Physicians for Global Survival, and the McConnell Family Foundation. For more information, please call 519-661-3542.
Friday Oct 16th 7pm
Age of Stupid - UWO Screening Fundraiser for C-Day (October 24th)
Venue: UWO Campus, UCC, Council Chambers (3rd floor rm 315)
For more information email Dan at scalpitch@hotmail.com.
Friday Oct 16th 7:30pm
“THE LAST STAND; A JOURNEY THROUGH THE ANCIENT CLIFF-FACE FOREST OF THE NIAGARA ESCARPMENT” Peter Kelly, Professor of Botany at the University of Guelph and author of the book “The Last Stand; A Journey Through the Ancient Cliff-face Forest of the Niagara Escarpment” will speak about how the most ancient and least disturbed forest ecosystem in eastern North America clings to the vertical cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment. Contact number: (519) 649-4168. Where: Civic Garden Complex, Springbank Drive, west of Wonderland Road. Hosted by: McIlwraith Field Naturalists. FREE
Saturday, Oct 17th 1-4pm
Tree Planting - Briscoe Woods, Briscoe Street and Highwood Ave.
Join Friends of the Coves and ReForest London as we naturalize an area of Briscoe Woods, part of the Coves ESA. By bus: Emery Street bus (11) to Highwood Ave. Limited street parking in the neighbourhood. ReForest London invites people of all ages and abilities to join us planting 2,000 trees and shrubs this fall. Please bring water, wear proper footwear (no sandals), and dress for the weather. Bring a shovel if you can, but we have lots of tools to share. Planting trees with us is a great way for secondary students to earn volunteer hours. You don't need to sign up to volunteer -- just come ready to work and have some fun. For more information call 519-936-9548.
Saturday Oct 17th 1pm
McIlwraith Field Naturalists - Walk:SIFTON BOG ESA. Meet the leader at the entrance to the bog on Oxford Street, west of Hyde Park Road for a walk through this unique environment. For more information call 519-657-2424. FREE
Saturday Oct 17th 7:00 pm
Film Screening: "Be the Change" documentary about a group of grassroots citizens in the Ottawa area who are attempting to live more lightly on the earth. Venue: Hyde Park United Church. Hosted by: Waste Free World. Admission: by donation.
Sunday Oct 18th 1:30
McIlwraith Field Naturalists - Walk:SPRINGWATER CONSERVATION AREA. Meet in the southwest corner of the parking lot at the Flying J on Highbury Avenue just south of Highway 401. From there, the group will proceed to the conservation area near Aylmer to enjoy the fall colours. For more information call 519-680-7250. FREE
Tuesday Oct 20th 11am-9pm
The ROBERT BATEMAN Art Show event will feature:
• Extensive collection of Robert Bateman art for sale, spanning 35 years
• 2:30pm Presentation by Earth Day Canada on environmental education
• 3:00pm Robert Bateman will speak on environmental issues and campaigns he leads
• 7:30pm Presentation by Dr. Jeremy McNeil, Professor - UWO, "Chemical Ecology: Listening to Mother Nature."
• Personalization of all art purchased at the show by Robert Bateman
• Viewing of latest Robert Bateman releases
• Raffle of Robert Bateman limited edition framed print
Venue: Carousel Room - Western Fairgrounds
For more information email eagleart@bellnet.ca or call 905-642-2279.
Thursday Oct 22nd, 6:30 arrivals, 7pm speaker
GREENDRINKS LONDON - Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (NOTE: DIFFERENT DAY)
Join us as we welcome Brian Salt and explore how our everyday actions can make a big difference in the lives of animals and the preservation of our natural environment. Brian’s presentation will introduce us to the uniqueness and diversity of Ontario wildlife and the work that Salthaven does to help sick, injured or orphaned wild animals. The presentation is well laid out within the context of a power point and is replete with pictures and stories of past patients and their releases back to the wild. For more information visit www.salthaven.org. Venue: The Morrissey House, 359 Dundas Street in the heart of downtown London.
Saturday Oct 24th
International Day of Climate Action
Visit 350.org for more information on climate change, the significance of "350", and the International Day of Climate Action. You can search there for Climate Actions taking place in our city or find ideas on how to plan your own action for the day. Local Events:
-350 Climate Action Gathering - Organizer: Maryanne M - maryanne.macd@gmail.com
-Here comes the sun - 350 Solar Installations - Organizer: Cory M (Council of Canadians)
-350 Run / Speaker Series - Organizer: Margo R - mritchie@csj.london.on.ca
-C-Day: Fill the Hill - Organized Bus Trip to Ottawa (Parliament Hill) http://www.climateday.ca + http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=170273650336
Monday Oct 26th 7-9pm
The Gift of Loose Tea - Central Library
Sample the wonderful taste and aroma of tea, and discover the environmental and health benefits of loose tea. Learn how tea is grown, graded and properly brewed, as well as the history behind various types and traditions. Embrace tea as it was meant to be. Venue: Central 1st Floor Stevenson & Hunt B
Tuesday Oct 27th 7:30 - 9:00 pm
SPEAKER: Paul Hawken, Enviromentalist, Entrepreneur, Journalist and Author
Topic: "The Growing Global Movement of Groups Confronting Environmental Damage and Economic Injustice: What’s Going Right in the World?" For more information on Paul visit www.paulhawken.com .
Beyond Tinkering: Growing an Inclusive Community - Lecture 2 of 4 Part Series
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph for the rest of this four part lecture series. All lectures will be held at Brescia University College . 1285 Western Rd, London
Sunday Nov 1st 1:30pm
McIlwraith Field Naturalists - STROLL at FANSHAWE CONSERVATION AREA
Meet the leader at the Fanshawe Dam for an easy stroll to enjoy late fall. Enter the park via the Clarke Road entrance and proceed past the gatehouse. Turn left at the administration buildings and park on the south side of the river by the dam. Call 519-438-5879 for more details, if required. FREE
Friday, October 2, 2009
London’s Environmentally Sensitive Areas set to be PAVED!!!!
CITY STAFF SET TO PAVE A PATH THROUGH THE MEDWAY VALLEY HERITAGE FOREST
I am writing to solicit your assistance with stopping the City, in its infinite wisdom, from vandalizing Environmentally Significant Areas in London. The next target - the Medway Valley Heritage Forest.
Although this Forest may not be in your neighbourhood it is important to all London citizens and to future generations. City staff have plans to put ASPHALT multi-use pathways in all Environmentally Significant Areas. http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Parks_and_Natural_Areas/Park_construction.htm
Please help in the following ways:
1. Read the entire e-mail to understand what you are asked to do and then send a letter to Jeff Bruin (jbruin@london.ca). Please do so by October 20th to state your concern over the construction of this pathway and bridge. Copy your city councillor, the Mayor, the controllers and all the other councillors. They represent all of Londoners and need to hear from you. Incorporate the information from this e-mail into yours using your own words. Jeff is the city planner leading this project.
2. Forward this e-mail to others on your mailing list asking them to also respond to the 1st point.
The addresses below are for : Anne-Marie DeCicco, Bill Armstrong, Bernie MacDonald, Paul Hubert, Bud Polhill, Cheryl Miller, David Winninger, Gord Hume, Harold Usher, Joni Baechler, Judy Bryant, Nancy Branscombe, Paul VanMeerbergen, Roger Caranci, Susan Eagle, Stephen Orser, Tom Gosnell, Gina Barber, Walter Lonc.
You can find out who your councilor is at: http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/City_Council/default.htm
Like the Mayor, Gosnell, Hume, Barber and Polhill represent the entire city on Board of Control.
adecicco@london.ca, barmstro@london.ca, bmacdona@london.ca, phubert@london.ca bpolhill@london.ca, cmiller@london.ca, dwinning@london.ca, ghume@london.ca, husher@london.ca, jbaechler@london.ca, jbryant@london.ca, nbransco@london.ca, pvanmeer@london.ca, rcaranci@london.ca, seagle@london.ca, sorser@london.ca, tgosnell@london.ca, gbarber@london.ca, wlonc@london.ca.
The Issue:
* City staff are proposing to construct a 3-meter wide (with a one meter clearance on both sides) asphalt-multi-use pathway and bridge through the Medway Valley and Elsie Perrin Williams Estate.
* This path will go right through the middle of an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA).
* A 3-meter wide path is as wide as right-turn lanes on major roads in London, 5 meters wide is wider than most double driveways.
* Vegetation will be cleared - including shrubs and large trees.
* Reptiles will sun themselves on the asphalt and end up being hit by fast moving bikes
* Small mammals will not cross the asphalt due to the fact they will be out in the open and susceptible to predation by hawks etc.
* Compaction of the soil due to construction will destroy the root systems and natural decomposers
* The City has laid out the objective to put pathways in all ESAs in its draft Recreation Master Plan update. ESA's are not parks and should not be treated as parks - they need to be free of or have minimal manmade structures.
WHY is this happening?
The Planners get paid to plan and this is their plan so they want to proceed - they are not environmentalists or naturalists - they like to see roads and development.
The Parks and Recreation Department takes care of parks so they want to see "parks". But Parks staff use trucks to enter pathways for maintenance and the Upper Thames Conservation Authority under contract to the city cuts down “hazard” trees that are too close to the pathway and generally become an added expense (YOUR TAX PAYING DOLLARS) when the number of parks that require maintenance increase.
The City says that they are doing this according to the recommendations of the Bicycle Master Plan. This plan is about accommodating bicycles not about protecting the natural environment. I am aware of one individual who has ridden his bicycle on every bike path in this city and seen every park that the current bike paths are connected to and he is adamant that the Medway should not be turned into a park and pathway for bicycles.
ESA's need protection from those who are not forward enough thinking to see that the natural environment is more integral to our existence as a species than the built environment.
The Place we want to Protect for all Londoners and for future generations:
The Medway Valley is a very beautiful and essential part of London and a natural jewel in the heart of the City. We have photographed over 80 bird species within 600 metres of the proposed bridge. There are fox, deer, wild turkeys, weasels, skunks, muskrat, beaver, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs and cottontails and several other small mammals making the Medway Valley their home. Trilliums, dogtoothed violets, jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, marsh marigolds and several other beautiful wildflowers are visible in the spring. With increased human activity each of these species of flora and fauna retreat to smaller and smaller spaces and will eventually disappear unless the area remains undeveloped and protected.
With the proposed changes, what I see happening in a few years is that the Medway will be another Springbank Park where the City will use your tax dollars to cut the grass and plant flowers rather than letting you enjoy nature as it was intended - without manmade structure and interference.
Each year there is more and more proof about the benefits of naturalization - it is even noted on the back of page 16 in the new London Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar that you received this week. It states: "Naturalization is planting and designing green spaces (both public and private) using native species in an effort to restore the natural environment."
But Medway....it is ALREADY a natural environment and it will soon be compromised so bikers can get from one neighbourhood to another faster.
It seems in this City the desires of the human species take precedence over the needs of other species and the need to protect the environment that is designed to freely give us what we need to live.
Some questions:
* When will we learn that once it is gone it is gone forever? Introducing more bikes into the Medway Valley will do nothing but destroy the ecology.
* There is already a bike route around the Valley. Why is this one needed?
* Why not spend more energy and money on wider and safer bike routes on our city streets?
* Does the environment always have to take a backseat to our human wishes for convenience?
* Canadian Federation of Municipalities estimates that a good ratio of forest canopy, to be a truly balanced community, is 35-40% - in London we have a paltry 11% cover.
This bike path is being put in mainly for pleasure. Just imagine how pleasurable it will be to have increased numbers of humans on bicycles if you are an animal or plant living in the valley. The bike although better transportation than a car is still a vehicle that is capable of doing a lot of damage and does not belong in a sensitive natural area.
The city cites that they want a more active community of citizens. Then the + $200,000 dollars could be spent on getting people active in their own neighbourhoods, making the neighbourhoods walkable and safe for children to ride their bikes, rather spending the dollars on a pathway that the environmentalists, naturalists and other concerned citizens do not see as needed or helpful to future generations.
By the way this is not a Not In My Back Yard issue …. this is an issue for the entire community of London. If this bridge and pathway go through then the other ESAs are compromised as well. If this bridge and pathway go through then our future generations will not have access to a beautiful natural environment. The City's DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan calls for 3-meter paved paths through all the city's ESA's. NO NO NO we cannot let them do this........
Link to further information: http://medwayvalley.wordpress.com/ and http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Parks_and_Natural_Areas/MedwayValleyBridge.htm
Once it is gone it is gone....they are NOT making any more natural areas.
In the words of Joni Mitchell let's not "pave paradise"
PLEASE communicate with the City staff and councillors and tell them to stop this unnecessary destruction of our natural environment and wanton waste of our taxpaying dollars.
The planet thanks you and so do I.
--
Maryanne MacDonald
www.wastefreeworld.org
www.wastefreeworld.blogspot.com
"Our best option is to become involved and take action. Otherwise we leave our destiny up to the decisions and actions of others."
I am writing to solicit your assistance with stopping the City, in its infinite wisdom, from vandalizing Environmentally Significant Areas in London. The next target - the Medway Valley Heritage Forest.
Although this Forest may not be in your neighbourhood it is important to all London citizens and to future generations. City staff have plans to put ASPHALT multi-use pathways in all Environmentally Significant Areas. http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Parks_and_Natural_Areas/Park_construction.htm
Please help in the following ways:
1. Read the entire e-mail to understand what you are asked to do and then send a letter to Jeff Bruin (jbruin@london.ca). Please do so by October 20th to state your concern over the construction of this pathway and bridge. Copy your city councillor, the Mayor, the controllers and all the other councillors. They represent all of Londoners and need to hear from you. Incorporate the information from this e-mail into yours using your own words. Jeff is the city planner leading this project.
2. Forward this e-mail to others on your mailing list asking them to also respond to the 1st point.
The addresses below are for : Anne-Marie DeCicco, Bill Armstrong, Bernie MacDonald, Paul Hubert, Bud Polhill, Cheryl Miller, David Winninger, Gord Hume, Harold Usher, Joni Baechler, Judy Bryant, Nancy Branscombe, Paul VanMeerbergen, Roger Caranci, Susan Eagle, Stephen Orser, Tom Gosnell, Gina Barber, Walter Lonc.
You can find out who your councilor is at: http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/City_Council/default.htm
Like the Mayor, Gosnell, Hume, Barber and Polhill represent the entire city on Board of Control.
adecicco@london.ca, barmstro@london.ca, bmacdona@london.ca, phubert@london.ca bpolhill@london.ca, cmiller@london.ca, dwinning@london.ca, ghume@london.ca, husher@london.ca, jbaechler@london.ca, jbryant@london.ca, nbransco@london.ca, pvanmeer@london.ca, rcaranci@london.ca, seagle@london.ca, sorser@london.ca, tgosnell@london.ca, gbarber@london.ca, wlonc@london.ca.
The Issue:
* City staff are proposing to construct a 3-meter wide (with a one meter clearance on both sides) asphalt-multi-use pathway and bridge through the Medway Valley and Elsie Perrin Williams Estate.
* This path will go right through the middle of an Environmentally Significant Area (ESA).
* A 3-meter wide path is as wide as right-turn lanes on major roads in London, 5 meters wide is wider than most double driveways.
* Vegetation will be cleared - including shrubs and large trees.
* Reptiles will sun themselves on the asphalt and end up being hit by fast moving bikes
* Small mammals will not cross the asphalt due to the fact they will be out in the open and susceptible to predation by hawks etc.
* Compaction of the soil due to construction will destroy the root systems and natural decomposers
* The City has laid out the objective to put pathways in all ESAs in its draft Recreation Master Plan update. ESA's are not parks and should not be treated as parks - they need to be free of or have minimal manmade structures.
WHY is this happening?
The Planners get paid to plan and this is their plan so they want to proceed - they are not environmentalists or naturalists - they like to see roads and development.
The Parks and Recreation Department takes care of parks so they want to see "parks". But Parks staff use trucks to enter pathways for maintenance and the Upper Thames Conservation Authority under contract to the city cuts down “hazard” trees that are too close to the pathway and generally become an added expense (YOUR TAX PAYING DOLLARS) when the number of parks that require maintenance increase.
The City says that they are doing this according to the recommendations of the Bicycle Master Plan. This plan is about accommodating bicycles not about protecting the natural environment. I am aware of one individual who has ridden his bicycle on every bike path in this city and seen every park that the current bike paths are connected to and he is adamant that the Medway should not be turned into a park and pathway for bicycles.
ESA's need protection from those who are not forward enough thinking to see that the natural environment is more integral to our existence as a species than the built environment.
The Place we want to Protect for all Londoners and for future generations:
The Medway Valley is a very beautiful and essential part of London and a natural jewel in the heart of the City. We have photographed over 80 bird species within 600 metres of the proposed bridge. There are fox, deer, wild turkeys, weasels, skunks, muskrat, beaver, squirrels, chipmunks, groundhogs and cottontails and several other small mammals making the Medway Valley their home. Trilliums, dogtoothed violets, jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, marsh marigolds and several other beautiful wildflowers are visible in the spring. With increased human activity each of these species of flora and fauna retreat to smaller and smaller spaces and will eventually disappear unless the area remains undeveloped and protected.
With the proposed changes, what I see happening in a few years is that the Medway will be another Springbank Park where the City will use your tax dollars to cut the grass and plant flowers rather than letting you enjoy nature as it was intended - without manmade structure and interference.
Each year there is more and more proof about the benefits of naturalization - it is even noted on the back of page 16 in the new London Waste Reduction and Conservation Calendar that you received this week. It states: "Naturalization is planting and designing green spaces (both public and private) using native species in an effort to restore the natural environment."
But Medway....it is ALREADY a natural environment and it will soon be compromised so bikers can get from one neighbourhood to another faster.
It seems in this City the desires of the human species take precedence over the needs of other species and the need to protect the environment that is designed to freely give us what we need to live.
Some questions:
* When will we learn that once it is gone it is gone forever? Introducing more bikes into the Medway Valley will do nothing but destroy the ecology.
* There is already a bike route around the Valley. Why is this one needed?
* Why not spend more energy and money on wider and safer bike routes on our city streets?
* Does the environment always have to take a backseat to our human wishes for convenience?
* Canadian Federation of Municipalities estimates that a good ratio of forest canopy, to be a truly balanced community, is 35-40% - in London we have a paltry 11% cover.
This bike path is being put in mainly for pleasure. Just imagine how pleasurable it will be to have increased numbers of humans on bicycles if you are an animal or plant living in the valley. The bike although better transportation than a car is still a vehicle that is capable of doing a lot of damage and does not belong in a sensitive natural area.
The city cites that they want a more active community of citizens. Then the + $200,000 dollars could be spent on getting people active in their own neighbourhoods, making the neighbourhoods walkable and safe for children to ride their bikes, rather spending the dollars on a pathway that the environmentalists, naturalists and other concerned citizens do not see as needed or helpful to future generations.
By the way this is not a Not In My Back Yard issue …. this is an issue for the entire community of London. If this bridge and pathway go through then the other ESAs are compromised as well. If this bridge and pathway go through then our future generations will not have access to a beautiful natural environment. The City's DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan calls for 3-meter paved paths through all the city's ESA's. NO NO NO we cannot let them do this........
Link to further information: http://medwayvalley.wordpress.com/ and http://www.london.ca/d.aspx?s=/Parks_and_Natural_Areas/MedwayValleyBridge.htm
Once it is gone it is gone....they are NOT making any more natural areas.
In the words of Joni Mitchell let's not "pave paradise"
PLEASE communicate with the City staff and councillors and tell them to stop this unnecessary destruction of our natural environment and wanton waste of our taxpaying dollars.
The planet thanks you and so do I.
--
Maryanne MacDonald
www.wastefreeworld.org
www.wastefreeworld.blogspot.com
"Our best option is to become involved and take action. Otherwise we leave our destiny up to the decisions and actions of others."
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