[CANUFNET] canopy cover target

[Janet McKay]

I like the spirit of what you are saying here Dirk and couldn't agree
more.  In our work engaging citizens in urban forest stewardship I see the
value in reaching high and being able to convey the fact that we have a lot
of work to do to get to an ideal place.  While I definitely understand the
parts of the discussion around the science and what is achievable,
realistic, etc., I've also seen the motivational power of high targets for
citizens and decision makers.  Professionals and other stakeholders will
need to work hard to break down those targets into achievable milestones
over time. But there is something powerful in having aspirational targets
that push us to envision more.



Message: 1
Date: Sat, 25 Jun 2016 13:38:43 +0000
From: Dirk Brinkman <Dirk_Brinkman at brinkman.ca>
To: Canadian Urban Forest Network <canufnet at list.web.net>
Subject: Re: [CANUFNET] tree canopy target
Message-ID: <ydd26ucf54nin6lhopg1192i.1466861916772 at email.android.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="windows-1252"

Those who have read "Half Earth" by E.O. Wilson and those of us who also
took note of the opening phrase of the federal provincial Vancouver Climate
Declaration i  March committing to "raise the level of our ambition" might
consider that all municipal canopy targets are interim targets, stage gates
on  the way to a 50% canopy cover.
Wilson thesis that nature needs half is most lucidly and readably supported
by the world's most promenet biologist in the "Half Earth"s fantastic
journey though the science behind that idea. There are many resonant
elements in arguments to protect biodiversity by protecting ecosystem
health in half the area of the world that translate into creating healthier
urban ecosystems. I encourage everyone in this discussion to read this
latest culmination of a lifetime of wrestling with this parallel question.
Dirk


Janet McKay, Executive Director

LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests)
Artscape Wychwood Barns
253-601 Christie St
Toronto, ON  M6G 4C7
416-413-9244 x17
1-888-453-6504 x17

[image: Donate] <http://www.yourleaf.org/node/4>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.web.net/pipermail/canufnet/attachments/20160627/79e217f1/attachment.html>