• About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
Friday, August 12, 2022
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Brief
NB MEDIA CO-OP
Share a story
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Gender
  • Politics
  • Culture
  • Videos
  • NB debrief
  • Articles en français
No Result
View All Result
NB MEDIA CO-OP
No Result
View All Result
Home Environment

Battles for NB’s urban wilderness

by Tracy Glynn
March 6, 2011
Reading Time: 2min read
woodlotfriends

City mayors and councillors have hailed the development in their cities as providing new tax revenue but city dwellers call it sprawling development and they question whether the development of the little green space found in their neighbourhoods makes any economic sense. They decry the lack of transparency and public participation in decisions affecting precious nature in their cities. They argue that in many cases, like the UNB Woodlot, the land in its natural form is essential in the fight against extreme weather events like flooding.

The City of Fredericton promotes itself as “what a city should be.” However, many people across the city say the city as well as the provincial government and the University of New Brunswick should be protecting the wild woods and wetlands of the UNB Woodlot found across the Regent Mall. Biologists say that we need to halt habitat loss to protect species from extinction. The UNB Woodlot is home to many critters and plants of conservation concern like the Great Blue Heron, songbirds, frogs and forest orchids. Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside angered many Fredericton residents in late 2010 when he remarked that wetland protection is hindering development in the city.

The city of Fredericton’s smaller park lands are also under threat. Residents near Coburn Park and Colonial Heights Park opposed rezoning parkland in their neighbourhoods in 2010 with the reason that natural watercourses and the at-risk butternut tree found in their park must be protected. Residents circulated a petition and wrote letters to the city of Fredericton. The Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Nature Trust New Brunswick, Nature NB and the Fredericton Nature Club all went on record against the sale, development or disposal of the small undeveloped natural parks owned by the City. On May 31, 2010, the city of Fredericton passed a one year moratorium on selling parkland. Residents welcomed the decision but seek a long term guarantee that their parks will be protected for future generations. While Coburn Park and Colonial Heights Park may be protected, another 39 parcels of land are being visited by the city as areas to either save or sell.

The winding forest trails of Crawley Farm north of Wheeler Boulevard in Moncton are home to bald eagles and Great Blue Herons. Recently, the area was rezoned for development. Moncton residents are alarmed by the news that their beloved forest trails, used by walkers, hikers, cross-country skiers, snow-shoers, naturalists, bird watchers and mushroom harvesters will be destroyed.

Last year, Saint John residents were dismayed to learn of plans to place a housing development inside the borders of Rockwood Park, one of the largest parks in Canada. In a pleasant surprise for the Friends of the Rockwood Park, a group that organized petitions, media releases and action alerts, Saint John City Council voted down the proposal to rezone the parkland in late January 2011.

The message of a celebrating Friends of Rockwood Park: people who organize and get involved to protect the public interest and the natural environment can win.

To learn more about the campaigns to save nature in our cities, visit:
UNB Woodlot Watch
Save Halls Creek
CCNB’s Campaign to Save Parks
Facebook: Save Rockwood Park from Development

Tags: CCNBConservation Council NB
ShareTweetSend

Related Posts

Hyping the illusion: Will a uranium mine in New Brunswick be the next Higgs genie?
*Opinion*

Hyping the illusion: Will a uranium mine in New Brunswick be the next Higgs genie?

January 9, 2020

The Higgs government in New Brunswick is desperate for a gimmick to fulfill its obligations under the constraints of the...

May the Forest be with you: community forestry confronts corporate control of NB forests
Economy

May the Forest be with you: community forestry confronts corporate control of NB forests

December 19, 2019

The most urgent challenges for rural New Brunswick include the spraying of glyphosate on Crown lands, restricted access to the...

Environment

Regulators or mouthpieces for the forest industry? Glyphosate debated in the NB Legislature

December 13, 2019

Opposition day at the New Brunswick Legislature on Dec. 12 unexpectedly produced a passionate debate with Green Party MLA Kevin...

Environmental champions recognized for their work
Environment

Environmental champions recognized for their work

November 20, 2019

Across the province, in every rural community as well as the larger centres, thousands of people are working to protect...

Load More

Recommended

Let’s get real about energy security, local gas supply, and energy transition

Let’s get real about energy security, local gas supply, and energy transition

3 days ago
Irving’s appointment to head of Postmedia board not welcome news, says prof

Irving’s appointment to head of Postmedia board not welcome news, says prof

3 days ago
Wolastoqiyik women stop smallmouth bass poisoning in Miramichi Lake for now [updated]

Letter: Use of poison in Miramichi Lake and watershed a ‘tremendous waste of time and money’

3 days ago
NB Media Co-op

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • Calendar
  • Archives

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • Join/Donate
  • Contact
  • Share a Story
  • COVID-19
  • Videos
  • New Brunswick
  • Canada
  • World
  • Arts & Culture
  • Environment
  • Indigenous
  • Labour
  • Politics
  • Rural

© 2019 NB Media Co-op. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In