Using urban forest management to positively affect the lives of residents and wildlife.

Keeping with the theme of "Trees for future heat domes" by fellow Port Moody resident "Heikel", trees AND other vegetation are going to help us bear the brunt of the endless heat that climate change will bring to us in upcoming Summers. It will also help us reduce the impact we have had on insect populations that are vital to humanity. Humans' obsession with neatly manicured non-native grasses needs to be left behind, and we must move to enjoying a landscaping style that some may view as unkempt. We must abandon the perception that areas that appear wild are simply weeds - the landscape is not meant to be flat, endless green and a couple sparse trees, or hot dark pavement.

We have a great opportunity to find places to revitalize via urban meadows to nurture the local insects and wildlife, and perhaps even bring visitors to our beautiful city. An example of what can be done even in a bustling city: the High Line garden/urban meadow in New York (thehighline.org) was a disused railroad track has been turned into an ecologically rich garden that can be visited with a free pass. In addition the High Line provides a place for community outreach and educational programs that nurture the local community. Another example, but within Canada is the Meadoway (Scarborough, ON) a 16KM long Hydro corridor being developed into an urban park and meadow to be enjoyed by residents and wildlife alike (themeadoway.ca/).

Port Moody has unbelievable potential, and it is incredibly important to me that it is harnessed for the physical and mental health of residents and for our continued prosperity. Without trees and plants, insects and wildlife we could not survive - it's time we really put some effort into taking care of them. Should that not be something that you agree with or care about, looking at it from an economic perspective of creating local jobs and bringing visitors to local businesses may be of more interest. Investing further in the care and culivation of our natural landscape can only benefit us as a whole.