UNB Woodlot Watch » Events

Rally at UNB Board of Governors’ Meeting

unbwoodlot — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 02:15:13 +0000

Thursday, April 14 at 12:15pm – 12:45pm
Wu Conference Centre (on UNB Campus across the street from St. Thomas University)

We have lots of extra signs for everyone. We want to make it clear to the UNB Board of Governors that the Costco development plan violates the guarantee of 80m buffers that was made to the Board of Governors. As documented by UNB, Corbett Brook Marsh and Larch Swale are “Ecologically Sensitive areas”, and the Costco building and parking lot must be built outside this 80m buffer.

If the UNB Woodlot continues to be developed as planned, we are going to see the loss of this valuable teaching and research resource, increased taxes, increased insurance costs, increased flood risk, and decreased quality of life for our community and children.

Don’t pave over our woodlot. Don’t pave over our future.

Walk in the UNB Woodlot

unbwoodlot — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:53:26 +0000

Saturday, April 9, 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Learn about the history, ecology and threats facing the UNB Woodlot. Present will be Friends of the UNB Woodlot and the UNB Environmental Law Society. Meet at 4pm in the back of Home Depot. If taking the bus from campus, meet at the SUB to grab the 3:22pm bus to Regent Mall, across from the Woodlot.

Contact: stusustainability@gmail.com

Rally for Action on Climate Change

unbwoodlot — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 19:49:45 +0000

Thursday, April 7, 12:15pm to 12:45pm

Beside the future Costco site (at the lights in front of Home Depot, Corbett Place, along new Maryland Hwy).

A group of concerned citizens in Fredericton, N.B. is calling on the University of New Brunswick to stop the development of its teaching forest and to conduct a flood risk study and economic study of its forested wetlands.

Contact: woodlowatch@gmail.com

City to discuss latest development in the UNB Woodlot on Monday, Feb. 28, 2011

unbwoodlot — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 13:57:30 +0000

The latest development in the UNB Woodlot will undergoing first and second reading this coming Monday, Feb. 28, 2011 at 7:30 pm at Fredericton City Hall. Read the Planning Advisory Committee report.

Monday, April 26: Action at the UNB Woodlot

unbwoodlot — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:00:06 +0000

Please join us next Monday at noon hour at the site of the proposed Costco and gas bar, directly beside the New Maryland Highway in Corbett Place. Let’s take a stand and make sure UNB and Costco do not build the Costco gas bar and respect the 80metre buffers for Larch Swale and Corbett Brook Marsh. We will extra signs available and will have the wood stakes already in place where we will mark the 80metre buffer with flagging tape.

DATE: Monday, April 26, 2010
TIME: 12:15 – 12:45
LOCATION: Corbett Place, with parking in front of Home Depot
DIRECTIONS: At top of Regent Street just past Regent Mall. Corbett Place is directly across the highway from the RCMP building and the City of Fredericton maintenance depot.
CITY: Fredericton, New Brunswick

The timing is important because of growing pressure on UNB Administration to stop the destruction of wetlands in the UNB Woodlot. Also significant is the April 14, 2010 news release by Environment Minister Rick Miles in which he states, “The mistreatment of wetlands will not be tolerated.” “They provide flood control, ground water re-charge, shore line stabilization, storm protection, and some wetlands store carbon, helping to offset the effects of climate change.” (http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/env/2010e0532ev.htm)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATTENTION: NEWS EDITORS

UNB MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WETLAND PROTECTION ON ITS LANDS

Fredericton Citizens Continue to Measure off the 80-metre Buffers Approved by the University’s Board of Governors

Fredericton, N.B., Canada October 30, 2009

On Monday, April 26th, at 12:15 p.m. noon, the Friends of the UNB Woodlot invite the public to stand together for wetland protection at their taping-off event to be held at the site of the Corbett Brook Marsh and Larch Swale in the UNB Woodlot. Over 40 students, professors, alumni, and concerned citizens turned out at the first flagging event in October 2009 and the publicity led UNB’s Barbara Nicholson (Associate Vice-President, Capital Planning & Property Development) to admit on CBC Radio the existence of the document that details the 80metre buffer for Corbett Brook Marsh and Larch Swale.

Costco must be 80 metres from Corbett Brook Marsh and Larch Swale; this buffer will be measured and marked off with flagging tape for the public to see. Costco must also stop plans for its gas bar. Citizens will gather at the new intersection to Home Depot (beside the New Maryland Highway and directly across the street from the City of Fredericton maintenance depot). The flagging and sign waving will be in clear view of the cars passing by on the highway. The Friends of the UNB Woodlot will bring lots of signs but also encourage citizens to bring their own.

The UNB Land Management Strategy for development of the UNB Woodlot stated there would be 80-metre buffer zones around their Ecologically Sensitive areas, including Corbett Brook Marsh, Larch Swale, and Regent Bog.

see UNB website - http://www.unb.ca/lms/woodlot/3a.pdf

The recent cutting of every tree by heavy equipment on the proposed Costco site is unacceptable. This razing of the entire development site included both the 80metre buffers for Larch Swale and Corbett Brook Marsh, as well as the two (2) additional wetlands discovered during our first 80metre flagging event back in October 2009. These two wetlands were not surveyed by consultants during the original EIA process for these UNB lands. Confirmation of these wetlands was provided to us by the Minister of Environment Rick Miles in a letter received in January 2010.

How is it possible to miss wetlands when doing an environmental inventory for such a well-documented land as the East side of the UNB Woodlot? UNB Forestry, the Forest Ranger School, and even the Fredericton Foxes have geographic information system files with full attribution for features such as wetlands. Yet, in 2006, Jacques-Whitford consultants (now Stantec) claimed that a huge wetland was beside the proposed Knowledge Park Drive when in fact it crossed directly through it. In 2007, Jacques-Whitford missed two (2) significant wetlands in the proposed Southside rink property of the UNB Woodlot. And now in 2009, the Friends of the UNB Woodlot discovered at least two (2) wetlands in the south end of the UNB property where the proposed Costco is to be built.

In light of the recent statement (April 14, 2010) made by Minister of Environment Rick Miles, Mark D’Arcy asks: “What does Minister Rick Miles intend to do, if the destruction of wetlands will not be tolerated in our province? To date, a total of seven (7) wetlands have been completely or significantly destroyed for Corbett Place and Knowledge Park Drive. And now Costco is being allowed to destroy two (2) more wetlands.”

UNB must take responsibility for wetland protection on its lands. The destruction and degradation of wetlands by piecemeal development must stop. The Friends of the UNB Woodlot call upon the University of New Brunswick administration (and Costco) to take the following steps in order to be the environmental stewards that they claim to be:

1. UNB start a water quality monitoring program for wetlands that could be potentially affected by the Costco development. This would include Corbett Brook Marsh which could be most significantly impacted by the huge loss in catchment area that will occur once the Costco store and parking lot is built.

2. UNB faculty take over the responsibility of wetland and habitat mapping in the UNB Woodlot. The wetland surveys done by outside consulting firms have been unsatisfactory to date for Knowledge Park Drive, the proposed Southside Rink, and Corbett Place big box stores..

3. UNB submit one development proposal for its Phase 1 development. This is necessary to allow for a comprehensive review of the development with respect to its environmental impacts to wetlands and biodiversity, which has been requested on several occasions by the Department of Environment. This development proposal is not a complex engineering drawing, but instead can be as simple as a land use plan with the general shape and location of proposed residential, retail, and commercial development outlined in colour on the map.

4. Both Costco and UNB stop the proposed construction of a Costco Gas Bar, the location of which is within the 80metre buffer of Larch Swale and is directly overtop groundwater which has a direct communication with the Fredericton aquifer in the valley below (+25 year transit time).

FRIENDS OF THE UNB WOODLOT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy or Mark D’Arcy, spokespersons, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot
Tel: 1-506-454-1230 (work)
Tel: 1-506-454-5119 (home)
E-mail: friendsoftheunbwoodlot [at] gmail.com

References:

Environment Minister’s message: importance of wetland protection (10/04/14)
http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/env/2010e0532ev.htm

University of New Brunswick Land Management Strategy (2004)
http://web.archive.org/web/20041227081914/http://www.unb.ca/lms/woodlot/3a.pdf

(Note: The 80m buffers are critical, since this conservation strategy was used as a key argument, back in 2004, in order to win the approval of the UNB Board of Governors for the Woodlot development. The 80metre buffers would (1) create wildlife corridors between the larger conservation areas, and (2) raise the level of conservation to 50% of the Woodlot. This was stressed at the UNB Board of Governors’s meeting, and in the presentation given, before the final decision was made.)

The Value of Wetlands (from Ducks Unlimited Canada)
http://www.ducks.ca/conserve/wetland_values/index.html

The Value of Urban Wetlands – Priceless
http://www.elements.nb.ca/theme/filters08/Mark/Mark.htm

Additional information on the UNB Woodlot:

Website maintained by Friends of the UNB Woodlot: http://www.smartgrowthUNB.ca
Website maintained by Fredericton Chapter of the Conservation Council: http://www.unbwoodlot.org
Facebook: “I don’t want the UNB woodlot turned into Big-Box Strip Malls”
YouTube: search for “UNB Woodlot”
E-mail: friendsoftheUNBwoodlot [at] gmail.com
Telephone: 1-506-454-5119

Beavers – The biggest dam movie you ever saw!

unbwoodlot — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:43:55 +0000

FRIENDS OF THE UNB WOODLOT PRESENT BEAVERS.

Join a special screening of Beavers on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Charlotte St. Arts Centre. 2:00pm: Doors open. 2:30pm: Show starts. Prizes to be awarded. For more info, contact: clutter [at] nbnet.nb.ca

TAKING A STAND FOR WETLAND

unbwoodlot — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:10:56 +0000

On Monday, October 26, at 12:15 p.m., the Friends of the UNB Woodlot will take a stand for wetland protection at their taping-off event to be held at the site of the Corbett Brook Marsh in the UNB Woodlot. Community members welcomed to come stand together!

Costco and their gas bar must be 80metres from Corbett Brook Marsh and Larch Swale; this buffer will be measured and marked off with flagging tape for the public to see. Citizens will gather at the Ducks Unlimited public wharf of Corbett Brook Marsh (follow signs on Knowledge Park Drive for the public parking lot that is near this Marsh).

For more info, contact Anne-Drea at 471-0633 or email: anne-drea [at] hotmail [dot] com

CROAKER’S CROSSING AT CORBETT CENTRE WILL DRAW A LINE IN THE ROAD FOR BIG-BOX RETAILERS

unbwoodlot — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 19:59:46 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fredericton, N.B., Canada October 31, 2008

In the aftermath of the so-called “froggy carnage”, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot will put several hundred popsicle-stick white crosses along a section of Knowledge Park Drive near the Corbett Centre retail complex. Each cross will remember the needless death of these small wetland frogs on the night of October 26th. This will take place next Monday (Nov. 3, 2008) at 1:00 PM.

Frogs are key indicator species of the health of our wetlands, and biodiversity in general. With our changing climate, these creatures truly serve as our “canary in the coalmine”. Also, their body contains anti-cancer chemicals which are attracting great excitement in the field of cancer research.

The Friends of the UNB Woodlot is sending letters to the University of New Brunswick, City of Fredericton, and the major retail stores at, or coming to, the Corbett Centre. The retail stores include Winners, Home Depot, and Costco. These letters request their immediate attention to the construction of an amphibian culvert that will allow these animals to pass underneath Knowledge Park Drive as they migrate between wetlands.

Dr. Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy of the The Friends of the UNB Woodlot, points out that, “This highlights the need for COMPLETE surveys of animal and plant species in the UNB Woodlot as well as a comprehensive environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the ENTIRE 3800 acres of this urban forested wetland. The fact that UNB has taken a piecemeal approach to EIAs to date, and that roads are studied separate from development on that road, must stop. The entire development strategy for the Woodlot must be assessed under a comprehensive EIA. As demonstrated by the recent “froggy carnage”, the Woodlot’s animals and plants are paying the price for this archaic, non-sustainable approach to land use planning.”

An amphibian underpass is required before the spring season next year. This underpass should also be able to handle the other aquatic wildlife that are common to these wetland areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Charlene Mayes and Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy, Spokespersons, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot

Telephone: 1-506-447-3442 (Charlene)

Telephone: 1-506-454-1230 (Caroline)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE FRIENDS OF THE UNB WOODLOT

Website: www.smartgrowthUNB.ca

Facebook: “I don’t want the UNB woodlot turned into Big-Box Strip Malls”

YouTube: search for “UNB Woodlot”

E-mail: friendsoftheUNBwoodlot@gmail.com

Telephone: 1-506-454-5119

Caroline Lubbe – D’Arcy

379 Northumberland Street

Fredericton, NB

(506)454-5119

clutter@nbnet.nb.ca

Events this week

unbwoodlot — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:04:08 +0000

THURS, OCT 30: PANCAKES ON CAMPUS. The Friends of the UNB Woodlot and the Fredericton Chapter of the Conservation Council will be serving pancakes on campus – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, Thurs, Oct 30 at the Science Library, UNB. Some things should be flat, the UNB Woodlot is not one of them. Stickers, signs and information also available. For more info, email woodlotwatch@gmail.com

THURS, OCT 30: FILM SCREENING OF THE UNDERLYING THREAT. Film screening at 7:00 PM, Thurs, Oct 30 at LBH 146, Bailey Hall (Biology Building), UNB. Shot in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and Niagara Falls, New York, /The Underlying Threat/ is a film about the devastating effects of groundwater pollution and what we can do about it. In describing how four families and two communities responded to the discovery of toxic chemicals in their water, the film brings home the human hardships associated with this form of pollution. Yet the final message is one of hope and empowerment, stressing the combination of preventive measures and the determination of people insisting on their right to safe water. Film followed by discussion with Rick Cunjak of the Canadian Rivers Institute and the filmmaker Kevin Matthews. For more info, contact Tracy at forest@conservationcouncil.ca or call 458-8747.

FRIENDS OF UNB WOODLOT PREPARE TO LAUNCH LEGAL CHALLENGE, RENAMING CONTEST

unbwoodlot — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:03:06 +0000

NEWS RELEASE

FRIENDS OF UNB WOODLOT PREPARE TO LAUNCH LEGAL CHALLENGE, RENAMING CONTEST

On Thursday, October 30th, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot will hold a Press Conference in the lobby outside the UNB Science Library. The Press Conference will start at 12:00 noon.

The citizens of Fredericton will have the opportunity to save the gift given to the University of New Brunswick by King George in 1800: the University of New Brunswick’s Woodlot.

The Friends of the UNB Woodlot are asking the citizens of Fredericton to rename the city’s largest urban forest. By developing this land, UNB is choosing to abandon its mandate to “help society understand and deal with the major issues and opportunities of our time.” UNB is using this precious gift as a gold mine to pay for other projects instead of acknowledging its obvious impacts on air quality, waterways, and climate change.

Charlene Mayes of the Friends of the UNB Woodlot notes that, “The UNB Woodlot is our insurance policy. Without forested wetlands working as natural sponges, rainwater capture and run-off control will be seriously compromised.”

We, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot, feel that as a publicly funded institution, UNB has abandoned its social obligation not only to the university population but also to the citizens of Fredericton. In addition to losing valuable green-space, the citizens of Fredericton will be saddled with the bills for replacing the function of the Woodlot as a catchment area with costly infrastructure, in addition to losing valuable green-space. The goal of this contest is to let citizens take ownership of the Woodlot and rename King George’s gift.

Dr. Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy points out that, “Great universities across North America boast of their research and teaching forests, including McGill’s Gault Nature Reserve, Harvard Forest, and Stanford’s Jasper Ridge Ecological Preserve. Since this 3800-acre preserve is more than a woodlot, we wish to RENAME it as a forest. A new name will give it the importance and permanence that it so rightfully deserves.”

Ross Ferguson of the Friends of the UNB Woodlot states that, “Students come to a university for theory and practical experience. All research and teaching is NOT done in the classroom. And certainly UNB should not be a shopping experience.”

The Friends of the UNB Woodlot are also asking the community for financial support as we prepare to launch a legal challenge to protect this land and for assistance in creating a land trust agreement. A land trust can enter into conservation agreements where one party (the trustee) agrees to own and protect natural landscapes, forests, and waterways for the benefit of another party (the beneficiary). We want to have a third-party conservation land trust organization hold lands in the UNB Woodlot so that it can be protected for the good of citizens of Fredericton, and the students of UNB.

Despite UNB’s decision to kill twenty-four woodlot beavers with conibear traps in the Fall of 2006, the beavers have started to return to the woodlot and they need our protection from future developments. Not only does this action lack social responsibility, it is detrimental to the sustainability of the wetlands of the Woodlot. Beavers are significant to the health and maintenance of wetland environments, and experts assert that without them the wetlands will decrease in size by up to 90 %.

Urban beavers are cherished by children, parents, and tourists in cities across Canada. Raising social awareness about the importance of protecting the Woodlot’s beavers will begin with the showing of the IMAX film “Beavers” on November 28th, 7 pm at the Charlotte Street Arts Centre. At this event the winner of the ‘Rename the UNB Woodlot Contest’ will be announced. There will also be door-prizes announced for the children among us!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Charlene Mayes and Carla Gunn, Spokespersons, The Friends of the UNB Woodlot

Telephone: 1-506-447-3442 (Charlene)

Telephone: 1-506-455-0695 (Carla)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE FRIENDS OF THE UNB WOODLOT

Website: www.smartgrowthUNB.ca

Facebook: “I don’t want the UNB woodlot turned into Big-Box Strip Malls”

YouTube: search for “UNB Woodlot”

E-mail: friendsoftheUNBwoodlot@gmail.com

Telephone: 1-506-454-5119

The Friends of the UNB Woodlot Strategy Group:

Jennifer Abbott

Andrew Bedford

Nolan Cornish

Mark D’Arcy

Kathryn Downton

Ross Ferguson

Heather Fogwill

Lui Greco

Carla Gunn

Dr. Caroline Lubbe-D’Arcy

Charlene Mayes

Kathy Moulton

Janet Phillipps

Dr. Monika Stelzl