Community Stories
BC Budget Consultation – by 2 pm, June 19
The NDP Budget Committee is accepting written submissions for its 2027 Budget. What should we be asking for? You can make up to three recommendations, with an explanation for each. Participate by using the submission form HERE . We have set up a google doc to share…
Flood the Consultation: Don’t Fast-Track Destruction
The Government of Canada is proposing major legislative changes that would make it easier for mega-corporations to profit while our communities and the planet suffer the consequences. Act now. See email template to send critical feedback to Prime Minister Carney and…
One of the Strongest Marine Protected Areas in the World
Six First Nations, BC and Canada will preserve and steward a large chunk of the Central Coast. That means no pipelines. The area will be protected under Indigenous law, and known as Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon , pronounced “Me-ah-yall-twa Ha-lee-joh-gom hOH-own,”…
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Promising Start to 2019
I am happy to report we had positive results in Saanich Chambers this past week. Council accepted the new management plan for Haro Woods that supports the natural designation it was given in 2013. Yesterday I was looking through websites and came upon the…
Tree Huggers Spotted in Oak Bay
Vijaya Taylor hugs a mature Garry Oak tree in Oak Bay. She is a member of Community Trees Matter Network, which advocates for retaining mature trees, as well as increasing municipal canopies to 30 to 40 per cent. (Photo: John Taylor)
Recommendations To Make Trees Matter
Members of the Community Trees Matter Network and the Creatively United for the Planet Society have enthusiastically encouraged the City of Victoria to strengthen its tree preservation bylaws and adopt the strategic plan and budget that will see the Urban Forest…
Art, Poetry & Prose Exposed
Eileen Curteis, a Sister of Saint Ann and Victoria resident, has just released her 12th book, Exposed, featuring 58 original works of art and divinely inspired poetry and prose addressing a journey of spiritual healing and enlightenment for our time. Sister Eileen has…
Hardest Working Community Members
At the last council meeting I brought my shovel. Tonight I have my bell, to sound the alarm. We are in a climate crisis! And yet engineers and planners working for the city continue to destroy and remove trees to make sidewalks, sewer pipe lines, roads and other infrastructure. Why is so little value put on trees, our hardest working community members?
Remembering City of Victoria Election Promises
With mayors and councils making important budget decisions now, these questions are more relevant now than ever. For example, Lisa Helps sent out a campaign news release saying we could celebrate Tree Appreciation Day by planting trees in neighbourhoods all over the city, up to 1000. However, only four were planted this year, about a quarter of the number that was planted last year.
Gonzales and the Urban Forest Master Plan
We need to remind mayor and council, that in the March 15, 2018 Council Motion, Council agreed that the new Gonzales Neighbourhood Plan needed to strengthen the language with regard to green space and tree preservation, anticipating forthcoming updates to the Tree Preservation Bylaw and implementation of the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Health Benefits of Trees
Can you imagine a world where a walk in the forest is prescribed by medical doctors to reduce stress? Japan began studying the benefits of ‘forest bathing’ in the early 1980s. Their scientific research has shown that 20 minutes in the forest reduces blood pressure, lowers heart rate and increases the number of cancer-fighting cells in the body by as much as 40%.
Save Trees From Removal on Finnerty Road
There has been a development sign posted on Finnerty Road (between the roundabout at McKenzie and Arbutus Rd.). There are plans to put in bike lanes and upgrades. This sign has been up for quite some time (at least since the summer) and I have not paid much attention…
Master Forester Ray Travers Honoured by Distrist of Saanich
What a delight to see master forester Ray Travers honoured by the District of Saanich for his work on bringing attention to Shelbourne Street’s heritage trees planted in honour of 600 local Victorians killed during the First World War. Members of Creatively…
A Simple Yet Profound Story & Message
The importance of education around trees and their beneficial impact and interconnectivity with the environment became obvious decades ago while driving past productive green farmer’s fields in North America, and recalling having lived through drought in Zimbabwe in…
Clubs & Recurring Community Events
Want your club or recurring events here? Let us know! All Month CRD Parks hikes , explorations and events for all ages. Change the World on Shaw TV , with Guy Dauncey. Interviews with local people who have big bold ideas and positive solutions for the future. Shaw TV…
