Understanding Earthly Connections Supporting the Solutions |
|
|
When we understand the amazing connection we have as earthlings to this earth, solutions for longevity, health, and the appreciation of beauty, become more readily apparent. Our own health and wellness is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. By uniting in community with others who share in this understanding, problems can pivot to solutions. This Saturday an opportunity exists for people to come together to show solidarity and support for what matters to us all: fresh air, water, beauty, diversity, democracy, climate stability and our natural heritage. By taking a stand for mature and old growth trees and the amazingly diverse ecosystems they support, plus supporting Indigenous cultures who have stewarded the forests and trees since time immemorial, we are taking a stand for all of the above. We are awakening the life giving vitality of inter generational systems that have made it possible for humans not only to survive but also to thrive. Social justice, democracy and the environment have been dismantled for far too long by colonial systems that put profits above people and planet. Solutions exist! Be inspired by fantastic guest speakers, the power of community and feel uplifted by the following events: |
|
|
United for Old Growth Rally Saturday, February 25th, noon - 3:30 pm PST |
|
|
It’s been two years since the BC NDP government promised to protect old-growth and a paradigm-shift in forest stewardship, but still the most at-risk forests continue to be logged. No more talk. The time for action is now. Over 170 organizations across the education, environment, tourism, and labour sectors have united around the Declaration for Old Growth, including Creatively United for the Planet Society, and representatives from these organizations and the public will be uniting together in person to hold the BC government and new Premier accountable. This peaceful march and rally will begin at noon at Centennial Square (City Hall) in Victoria and proceed to the lawn of the Legislature for a rally featuring powerful speakers and performers, including David Suzuki, from 1:30-3:30: Chief James Hobart, Spuzzum First Nation Kwakwaka’wakw Hereditary Chief David Knox, Kwakiutl First Nation Janelle Lapointe, Afro-Indigenous climate justice and Indigenous rights organizer, Stellat’en First Nation Elder Bill Jones, Pacheedaht First Nation Rainbow Eyes, land defender, Da’naxda’xw/Awaetlala First Nation Dr. Karen Price, independent ecologist and provincial Old Growth Technical Advisory Panel member Christina Enns, Tla-o-qui-aht/Dakota youth ANSWER2 Drummers Sarah Osborne, singer-songwriter
If you're on Facebook, invite your network here. If you're a part of an organization, union or business, sign on to the declaration. |
|
|
Can't Attend the Rally? Please send an email to Premiere David Eby and cc Minister of Forests, Bruce Ralston. Emails: premier@gov.bc.ca, FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca Mail: Office of the Premier, PO BOX 9041 STN Prov. Govt., Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Minister of Forests, Bruce Ralston, 10574 King George Blvd, Surrey, BC V3T 2X3 |
|
|
BC's Ancient Inland Rainforest Film Screening and Presentation
Saturday, February 25th, 7 - 9 pm PST, Vic Theatre, 808 Douglas Street |
|
|
Join the Valhalla Wilderness Society on a journey into British Columbia's ancient Inland Temperate Rainforest, a globally significant and wondrous area found 500 kilometers from the coast in BC's Interior Wetbelt. Home to the deep-snow mountain caribou, grizzly bears, rare fungi and lichens, BC's Inland Rainforest is a globally unique ecosystem worth celebrating. We are excited to share our findings from many groundbreaking scientific and exploratory expeditions into this incredible BC wilderness based on over 20 years of research, including photography of rare rainforest species and primeval cedar trees. Primeval: Enter the Incomappleux, a stunning film by VWS and Damien Gillis, will be screened with a briefing on the Selkirk Mountain Caribou Park Incomappleux protection proposal. Get tickets here |
|
|
Welcome to Home on Native Land, a self-guided course about Indigenous justice in Canada. Through a series of 10 videos, cartoons & lessons, take a walk down the back alley of history — and the frontlines of legal action — with Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon. Learn more |
|
|
Urban Tree Protection Vital |
|
|
The Community Trees Matter Network is asking anyone who lives, works, studies, recreates, or would like to help the urban forest in Saanich, BC, to please consider sending this letter to council@saanich.ca, or write your own. This letter could be used as a conversation starter or draft template for anyone wishing to advocate for trees in their city, town or municipality and includes a link to a fabulous video produced by the City of Halifax that clearly shows the true value of trees. |
|
|
Dear Mayor and Council,
Please consider a substantial increase in Saanich's budget for parks and urban forests this year.
Many studies have proven the vital importance of trees and green space for maintaining and improving human health. Many of the people who died in the 2021 heat dome lived in areas that were not cooled by mature tree-lined streets.
The urban forest is well worth investing in. It helps clean our air of pollutants and particulate matter. It buffers noise. It reduces flooding, by slowing the fall of rain on the earth, and then channeling rainwater into the ground. In summer it cools neighbourhoods by up to 8 degrees Celsius. It reduces the aging of the pavement it shades. Where mature trees grow, studies have also noted reduced crime. In short, it saves money. Halifax estimates each dollar spent on the urban forest saves the city $8!
Our trees have been negatively affected by perhaps 15 years of summer drought, as well as varying degrees of winter droughts. This worsens the effects of pests and disease. We desperately need to dedicate more money to maintain these essential components of our public health, beauty and wellbeing.
Many Saanich residents felt betrayed this past year, when Saanich cut down more than 70 mature trees on Shelbourne Street alone. Yet Saanich still plans to cut down 45 more. Some felt this plan made a mockery of Saanich's urban forest strategy, as well as its climate strategy.
The promised three trees to 'replace' each one will take many decades to grow to that size -- if they survive. Mature trees are much stronger and more resilient than saplings because they have large, well-developed root systems.
Saanich needs dedicated staff that can ensure that all departments work to consider alternatives to cutting down our trees. We need to maintain and increase the number of skilled and knowledgeable staff who can work with volunteers to maintain the health of public trees despite our now-common extreme weather events. Saanich's urban forest staff do a great job, but it would be helpful to double staff size to do the important work that really needs to be done.
As you must be aware, to quote from Saanich's own Climate plan for Ecosystems (page 78 in page footer, or about page 85 in the PDF document): "1000 times more carbon is stored in a large tree than a small tree."
The head of the UN has described climate change right now as being a "Code Red for humanity". We have seen unprecedented disasters in our province in just the past few years -- hundreds of deaths from heat domes, atmospheric rivers and mudslides. Rivers are drying up.
It is high time to take drastic action. Planting trees has been identified as one of the best tools for mitigating climate change, but retaining mature trees is even more important.
So keeping our mature trees and planting lots more must move closer to the top of Saanich's to-do list.
Please ensure we have enough money in the budget to fund the actions that are urgently needed. By taking such visionary action, Saanich could become a leader in municipal response to climate emergency.
Sincerely, (Your name here) |
|
|
Creatively United for the Planet is a registered non-profit society. Since 2012, we have been leading, convening and amplifying ways to share how collectively we can reduce our ecological footprint and implement long-term sustainability solutions. Our mandate is to foster conversations, connections and create collaborative opportunities that bring individuals and organizations together in support of achieving common sustainability goals and accelerating climate action. Creatively United is a member of the Westcoast Climate Action Network and works collaboratively with numerous community organizations and in partnership with the Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, supported by The Victoria Foundation. The Gail O'Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund is dedicated to changing human consciousness towards global environmental change by combining science with the creativity of the performing arts. |
|
|
Healthy, happy communities begin from the ground up. Help us inspire generations to protect and preserve the natural world and confront climate change, so families, communities and nature can prosper together. |
|
|
|
|
