South Fraser Witness Trail opening this weekend

Join the Wilderness Committee and Surrey Environmental Partners this weekend for the opening of a beautiful new hiking trail - the South Fraser Witness Trail near the Port Mann Bridge. There will be a short ceremony and guided hike on Saturday, January 30th at 11 AM.

Come out and enjoy nature, and see first-hand what is at stake with South Fraser Perimeter Road construction.

The trailhead is located on 168 St., 400 meters northwest of the intersection of 168 St. and 108 Ave., in Fraser Heights. You can take the C74 bus from Surrey Central Skytrain, by getting off at 168 St. and 108 Ave. and walking northwest on 168 St (past 108A Ave). Click here for a map with the trailhead marked.

The terrain is rugged in places and water resistant footwear is recommended. Lunch and water should be brought along on the hike.

For more information please call 604 683 8220, email ben@wildernesscommittee.org or visit the Facebook event page.

Video Tour of South Fraser Perimeter Road

On November 20, 2009 a group of concerned citizens organized a bus and boat tour of the South Fraser Perimeter Road to show interested parties the extent and effects of the destruction it will cause. This billion dollar freeway project, part of BC's Gateway Program, is said to provide a new container-truck link between Deltaport and Hwy. 1, ease congestion and create new jobs. What many people don't know, however, is the detrimental effects it will have on Burns Bog, the Fraser River, farmland, heritage homes, and all of their countless residents.

Watch below a video highlighting key points along the tour.

For more information please visit http://burnsbog.org/resources/perimeter.shtml and www.gatewaysucks.org



Video available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AXqnuiUJpU

Direct Action Needed January 26th

Attend the Public Hearing at Delta Municipal Hall.

Where? 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC V4K 3E2

When? Tuesday, January 26 at 7PM

Why? To discuss the rezoning of 8348 River Way and 7480 80 Street from Environmentally Sensitive Area to Industrial to accomodate the South Fraser Perimeter Road.

Show your support for preserving Burns Bog and protecting the endangered Southern red-backed vole found in this area.

Delta Council's failure to uphold bylaws has silently given the Provincial government the impunity to ignore Delta's bylaws, allowing for this rezoning.

Don't let them get away with it.

Your presence shows Council you are watching. Your presence tells Council they cannot hide from public scrutiney. Wear green in solidarity with the Society's campaign.

If you can not attend, write a letter to Delta Council or email mailto:mayor-council@corp.delta.bc.ca opposition to Bylaws 6827 and 6828. State these are publicly owned, environmentally sensitive Burns Bog lands that should be added to the Burns Bog Ecological Conservancy Area - NOT REZONED INDUSTRIAL! Be sure to copy in the Society (communications@burnsbog.org).

For a template letter you can simply sign your name to click here.

Over a hundred people gathered Saturday to discuss the social, environmental and economic impacts of the South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR) at a townhall meeting in Delta. People voiced their frustration with the lack of leadership by Delta Council grabbing widespread media attention thanks to all of you for attending and forwarding the message about this important meeting.

Loss of farmland, loss of bogland and alternatives to the road were discussed throughout the course of the afternoon, but it all boiled down to two points: The road is not needed and it can still be stopped.

We need your continued support. Help stop the SFPR by coming to this meeting.

For more information check out the Bylaws by clicking here.

Let's make a difference together.

10 Ways to Get Green

Thinking of going green? Here are 10 things you can do to help be more environmentally-conscious and reduce your carbon footprint.

Visit a Local Park
British Columbia is home to many beautiful parks. Whether you like to walk, run, hike, bike or sit back and relax, there is a park for you. The Delta Nature Reserve is the only area of Burns Bog open to the public and has a beautiful 2.9km trail of boardwalk and gravel road intertwining through indigenous bog and forest flora.

If you would like to visit the Delta Nature Reserve click here for directions. The Burns Bog Conservation Society hosts public tours every second Saturday during late Spring and Summer months and on International Bog Days: Saturday, July 24 & Sunday, July 25.

Discover walking and hiking trails throughout North America at http://www.trailpeak.com/ . To learn more about all of the Metro Vancouver parks or to book a tour with a Metro Vancouver Park Interpreter visit http://www.metrovancouver.org/.

Compost
Ever thought about composting? Composting is a great way to reduce up to 30% of household waste! Check out our article form last month The Dirt on Indoor Composting.

Get Involved in an Environmental Clean-up or Restoration Project
There are several clean-up and restoration projects happening throughout the year. Two that I recommend are the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (http://www.vanaqua.org/cleanup/home.php) and invasive plant pulls with the Invasive Plant Council of BC (http://www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca/).

Go Online
Save paper by stopping delivery of bank statements, newspaper, and other mail to your home.

Buy Local Produce
Support local farms and reduce your carbon footprint by purchasing local produce. To learn more about the benefits of eating local food visit http://www.getlocalbc.org/en/.

Don’t know where to buy? Visit farmer’s markets during the summer months. Ladybug Organics is a local organic grocer with an excellent selection of fresh organic produce (http://www.ladybugorganics.com/). When you purchase produce from supermarkets look for “Grown in BC” on signs and labels. .

Get Your Voice Heard for at Least One Environmental Issue
Write to your MP on an environmental issue that you care about, or get involved in a friendly environmental demonstration. See the Upcoming Events section for more information about the Pilgrimage to Burns Bog.

Install LED or Compact Florescent Bulbs in Your Home.
Do you still have energy-sucking incandescent builds throughout your home? Replace your old bulbs with LED or compact florescent bulbs. They may cost more at first but you will save money and energy in the long run. To learn more about the benefits of using environmentally friendly light bulbs visit http://ecoregen.org/tag/eco-friendly-light-bulb/.

Reduce Carbon Emissions by Changing Your Driving Habits.
Take transit or carpool whenever possible. For short trips try walking or riding your bike.

Buy Used Clothing
Each step in the clothing manufacturing process has potential for a negative environmental impact. Help reduce demand by purchasing used clothing. Both the planet and your wallet will thank you.

Don’t Forget Your Re-fillable Water Bottle and Re-usable Shopping Bag
Why pay for bottled water when tap water is both free and safe to drink? The environmental impact of producing plastic water bottles, shipping the water, and disposing of the bottles is huge. Save money and the environment by using a re-fillable water bottle. Don’t like the taste of tap water? Get a water purification filter and fill your re-usable water bottle with it.Plastic shopping bags are crowding our landfills. Purchase a reusable shopping bag. They generally cost anywhere between $1-$5, and are often given out for free. Some grocery stores will even offer you a discount for not using their plastic bags.

Opportunity to speak up against the SFPR

Fed up with the South Fraser Perimeter Road? Looking to have your say? Or have you just started hearing about this and want to learn more? Well, here is your chance.

The South Fraser Action Network has organized a townhall meeting in Delta to address the many environmental, social and economic impacts of the road.

Join us on Saturday, January 16 at the Sundance Banquet Hall, 6574 Ladner Trunk Road to learn all about it and have your say. The meeting will take place from 1-4PM and everyone is welcome to attend. The more there, the louder our voice is!

Guest speakers include Harold Steeves, co-founder for the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), Stephen Rees, transportation economist and planner, Eric Doherty, transportation planning consultant, and Alexandria Mitchell, Copenhagen Climate Change Conference delegate.

For more information please contact Anita den Dikken at 604.948.0139.

Map of South Fraser Perimeter Road - click image to enlarge