I did not know that 2010 is the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF BIODIVERSITY until I attended the Stratford Library and University of Waterloo lecture April 13th given by Naturalist and Assistant Professor of Environmental and Resource Studies, Brendan Larson. Humans are having such an intense effect on the natural world with increasing urbanization and development. What will the future be like on our planet with decreasing diversity. Opportunities such as this lecture series is one of the reasons Stratford is special and must be protected.
Sprawl is not natural. Life dependent functions such as facilitating the water cycle and transpiration, the source of all life are not supported, sprawl being so car dependent and downright ugly. Nature not only provides oxygen and water but beauty. How do we begin to again incorporate the values of creativity, beauty and nourishing nature in the development of urban landscapes? Begin we must. Do we continue to create 'disturbed landscapes'? or reach towards more wholesome environments?
Not only biodiversity is under threat by the possibility of huge sprawl in Stratford but also retail diversity is endangered. We can start to make positive changes - here in Stratford - where we have held on to a beautiful downtown, our gift from the past, but we must insure the heart of our city comes with us into the future.
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