Deanna Welters's Page

In which Vancouver neighbourhood or other community do you live?

Surrey

Please tell us which areas of Transition interest you. For example: growing more food/urban agriculture, relocalizing our economy/local currency, Permaculture, transit, energy efficient buildings, the arts, urban homesteading, preserving seed diversity, placemaking, potlucks, outreach, organizing events, community-building, having fun while saving the world, or...

Much of the afor stated is great. Growing local economies includung developing sustainable living practice is a goal to me. Also making public transit available to increase mobility and decrease polution and time wasted in traffic snarls. These implements of better living would improve quality of life and allow for a really better existance that puts the lives of the individual on a healthier path and allow for true community culture to thrive.

There's a saying that "Transition is not a spectator sport". It's true! Village Vancouver runs on people power, and engaging in activities and projects together helps us accomplish more. Which groups, networks, neighbourhood villages, or projects do you think you might be interested in getting involved with? And what knowledge, skills, resources or other assets can you bring to the mix? (Don't be bashful!)

I am involved in three very good community groups. The Green Timbers Heritage Society, a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Green Timbers Urban Forest and other urban forest areas in the city of Surrey. The Surrey Art Gallery Association, non profit society that supports the Art Gallery and associated programs, part of the Surrey Arts Centre. third and not least I am a founding member of the Surrey CiTi transit group that is steadily and consistantly organizing, attending and presenting about improving public transit in the city of Surrey and in surrounding communities by way of supporting increased transit service in Surrey and bringing Light Rail to the Fraser Valley. I am publicly supportive of green initiatives and mass public transit and did enter the civic election in Surrey as a Mayoralty candidate in 2011 with two running mates on an 'Independent Greens' slate.

What would you like to see improved in Vancouver or in your community regarding sustainability or resiliency? Do you have an idea for a new Transition project or activity?

I think a moratorium on tree cutting is in order. Too many mature trees are cut for increased urban sprawl. Trees improve air quality and assist in climate control naturally. Let's plant more!! Mis-use of arable land must stop. Fertile land is finite and should be FARM USE ONLY. Examine the practice of acres of single level commercial space allowed to dominate the landscape, ie: car lots, parking lots, strip malls and warehouses, Put those things in high rise towers, not people only. WE are ground creatures and deserve better treatment. Reasonable density in resedential building is attainable without forcing people to live in towers to conserve land. Reclaim deralict properties that lay in waste turning entire districts into slums, while new development continues elsewhere. City councils should take a pro-active visionary role in planning and development. Bring on town forum disscussions and vote on local issues independant of civic election voting. Appoint standards that use less lawn and plant more low maintenance ground covers and wild grasses. Create more vegtable garden space. Promote locally made/grown goods and products.. Develop comprehensive strategies for sustainable community living. Educate towards a culture of mutual benefit for people and planet, not profit based control.

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That's about it for now.. Thank you.