The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness

The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness: Narration: Paul Renaud Video & Editing: Gord Stephen Photos: Sherry Leavitt and other local residents

I thought that I would share this video as it provides an excellent summary of the situation previously blogged in Saving Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata, Ontario and termed by some to be the "largest ecological disaster to ever hit the city."

The effort to save this land is still gaining momentum including City of Ottawa to appear in court over west-end construction . You can help by spread the word and contacting the government officials listed at the end of the video.

Join the Facebook group at:
I want to save the land North of Beaver Pond Park in Kanata Ontario .

Follow on Twitter at: South March

Saving Beaver Pond Forest in Kanata, Ontario

Beaver Pond Woods - Just thought you should know by Gord Stephen

My family and I have always felt incredibly fortunate to have this old growth forest in our "backyard".  It's horrible to think that 182 hectacres of it will soon be cleared for a subdivision of 3,200 homes.  Too sad to think about the fate of  the 17 at risk species that currently make their home here, not to mention the other 637 species and 164 species of birds.  Too sad to think that the nature paths we've walked, biked, skied and snowshowed will be no more.

It was zoned for development in 1981 pre-dating the Endangered Species Act of 1998 which apparently does not void its zoning.  Developers Urbandale and Richcraft are looking at a start date of mid-July to begin cutting.  How could this have happened?

The Kanata Kourier-Standard just published Community takes last stand on its front page.  Its Editorial, Memories at the Beaver Pond, sums up the situation:

Saturday, June 5, over 400 residents gathered at the Beaver Pond to show the city they don't want a new subdivision choking out a precious natural sanctuary.

Hopefully, the developers and the city will take notice, the way they did back in 1999.  It's not impossible.

So get out there and make some memories.  In a few months, it may be all you have left.

Efforts are still being made to save this land.  You can join the Facebook group at:
I want to save the land North of Beaver Pond Park in Kanata Ontario .

New Post: The South March Highlands: Ottawa's Fragile Urban Wilderness is an excellent summary of the situation.