This message is from:  Tristan Cleveland
Our HRM Alliance Coordinator

At our full Alliance meeting last night, Holly Richardson—the city planner in charge of the Green Network Plan—let us know that we have until the end of June to give input on places we would like to see protected.

Now is our chance to show strength in numbers and demonstrate solid support for the places we care about. Too often we have to tell government we care about a place once someone decides to cut it down or pollute it. This is a rare chance to get ahead of the problems!

Here are some key themes to emphasize at Green Network public consultations. This list is not exhaustive, but if we have missed anything, let us know. Some members also requested this table at the meeting which demonstrates why 30m buffers are important. The table is from this NS government report.

Please share the following message with your networks and on Facebook and let’s get people out!
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Critical Opportunity to Protect our Forests, Rivers, Lakes, and Beaches

You have the opportunity right now, until the end of June, to let Halifax know all the places you want protected. The city is creating a Green Network Plan and they want your input.

This is important. If you can think of a forest that would break your heart to see become a housing development—or an asphalt plant—this is the time to do something about it, before that place is excluded from the plan and it’s too late. Want trails expanded? Want lakes to stay swimmable? Let them know!

Here are the times when you can participate. The more people who express support, the stronger case city staff will have for protection:
Saturday, June 6th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Pop-Up Event
Halifax Seaport Farmers Market, 1209 Marginal Road, Halifax
Sunday, June 7th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pop-up Event
Musquodoboit Harbour Farmers Market, 67 Park Rd, Eastern Shore Community Centre
Tuesday, June 9th 6:00 – 9:00 pm Pop-up Event
Woodlawn Library, 31 Eisenor Blvd, Dartmouth
Friday, June 12th & Saturday, 13th 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Pop-up Event
Halifax Senior’s Expo, Exhibition Park, 200 Prospect Rd
Saturday, June 13th 12:00 – 3:00 pm Pop-up Event
Captain William Spry Community Centre, 16 Sussex St, Halifax
Saturday, June 20th 8:00 am – 12:00 pm Pop-up Event
Hubbards Farmers Market, 57 Highway #3, Hubbards

And put the places you care about on this map!
http://www.halifax.ca/HalifaxGreenNetwork/

Halifax has set up an online mapping tool to collect residents’ input on the places that matter. If someone has already marked the thing you care about, mark it again. The more people show support, the stronger case can be made for protection.

Dozens of groups in Our HRM Alliance have been working for years to make this plan a reality. Let’s take advantage of that hard work and show Halifax how much we love nature at our doorsteps!
Tristan Cleveland
Our HRM Alliance Coordinator