I grew up on the west coast, then spent 30 years on the prairie. It was the TREES that brought me back, two years ago. I was shocked at how my old neighbourhoods in Vancouver have lost their green spaces and become crowded with houses, cars, and concrete — the literal concrete jungle we all fear — no soul, no heart, no breath of life.
I wrote this letter to the Victoria Mayor and Council and hope others will do the same soon:
TREES in this beautiful flowering city of Victoria are what thrills visitors — a GREEN city that offers instant pleasure when walking the streets — where one can breathe easily while sauntering through a canopy of filtered light — in the city centre and in every community back street.
This MUST be protected … YOU have been tasked to protect this natural heritage of living wood — please do not replace it with strips of dead wood and concrete … every other city has that … Victoria and the south island is special.
Please do not fail the trees, and the humans who depend on them for soulful and healthy living. Otherwise why bother living here? Please implement and fund the UFMP to do its job to keep Victoria unique and vibrantly green.
Please take to heart the wisdom words of poet TS Eliot:
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
Thanking you in advance.
Sherrill Miller