Check out this Spec opinion piece by Thomas A Beckett regarding the proposed development at 140 Garner Road E (location of Ancaster Creek wetland and headwaters.) Beckett is a resident of Dundas, a retired superior court justice, and the first Chair of what is now know as the Hamilton Conservation Authority   REGISTER HERE In our fourth webinar we'll provide updates about the movement to protect Ancaster Creek Wetland and headwaters The webinar will include the following topics: The importance of water and wetlands is being defended within our city. In the face of the threat to the wetland and headwaters of Ancaster Creek, people within the city and beyond are rising up to protect our water and wetlands. Over 60 outraged letters sent to the Hamilton Conservation Authority have succeeded in delaying the decision on permitting relocation of the wetland and portion of the headwaters of Ancaster Creek. Learn more about how this development will effect Hamilton if allowed. The developers want to build five warehouses and massive parking lots on the agricultural and aquatic lands at 140 Garner Road East. This will damage the wetland and headwaters, the species within them, and eliminate an active farm well-known for its pumpkin patch and other produce. Receive personal impact statements, and find out how you can help! We’ll interview Indigenous land defenders, the farm family, the local provincial legislator and Ancaster residents. And we’ll tell you what can be done to convince the HCA board to do the right thing at its June 3 meeting. Our opportunity to engage this local movement in climate action is growing. Reaction to the application to have a wetland moved, and it’s headwaters paved over, is creating a successful campaign to protect Hamilton’s environment and urban boundary. Though the application is still to be heard by the Hamilton Conservation Authority, people power has successfully delayed the application, brought the scheme to our attention, and made the HCA very aware that we both understand and will not allow the negative impacts of such a development to occur. Let's continue to work to save the Ancaster Creek Wetland and headwaters, and hold Conservation Authorities to matters of conservation. #conservationmatters  Video now available!Developers want to replace the headwaters of Ancaster Creek with five warehouses and thousands of parking spaces, plus a replacement wetlands. Last night, the Hamilton Conservation Authority deferred this proposal at the request of the applicant! For months, Hamilton 350 and Action 13 have been sharing stories from across the province which show that when we fight we win! Last night our community added our own win to the map! In the face of over 60 letters sent to the HCA Board about the relocation of a wetland and and stream of Ancaster Creek, the applicant requested the decision about their proposal to do so be deferred to the next HCA meeting on June 3rd! There will now be more opportunities to intervene to protect the wetland and stream in the headwaters of Ancaster Creek. If you were one of the letter writers, thanks for helping to make a difference. If you missed last night's emergency rally or want to pass it on to others, check out this video. It will provide information about the (now deferred) proposal, the difficulties Conservation Authorities are facing under the Ford Government, and information specific to the workings of the Hamilton Conservation Authority.
Video now available!For the third session in our Conservation Matters webinar series we partnered with Action 13 and welcomed panelists from the Hamilton Conservation Authority and Wellington Water Watchers. We also watched an excerpt from a talk by Dr. Kelsey Leonard — a water scientist, legal scholar, policy expert, writer, and enrolled citizen of the Shinnecock Nation — on 'Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans.' Scott Peck, the deputy director of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, detailed plans for reconstructed wetlands in upper Stoney Creek. The in-ground work starts next year and the project is expected to help prevent downstream flooding and erosion, as well as increase public recreational areas. Arlene Slocombe of the Wellington Water Watchers updated the audience on the fight against Nestlé and how Indigenous knowledge has guided their struggle. Learn more about their successful actions, and find out how you can help protect water and wetlands at https://www.wellingtonwaterwatchers.ca/ We host webinars like this on a regular basis. Follow Hamilton 350 on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for updates on Conservation Matters sessions to come. |
