Education and Conservation issues in Abbotsford

General

The aim of the Central Valley Naturalists is to help foster a spirit of good stewardship of the environment in our community. Global factors, notably the relentless population increase and its impact on the environment, will ensure that the world we live in will change beyond all recognition. If we can help to achieve a measure of sustainability in our region we may also be able to help preserve a measure of liveabity . But we do face many challenges.

Educational issues

From an environmental point of view the main educational challenge to be addressed is the need for a much better understanding of the impact of man’s activities on the natural environment and of the options available to reduce that impact. This involves :
• Participating with other groups in the study of nature and natural processes
• Participatting in monitoring of the environment and of environmental changes
• Participating in programs to enlighten schoolchildren in the ways of nature,
• Presenting programs to our members and to the general public to enrich our knowledge of the environment
• Participate in programs and projects that aim to reduce or to repair environmental damage.

Conservation Issues

From an environmental point of view Conservation issues facing Abbotsford fall into two groups :

1. Issues resulting from the rapid increase in local and regional population including
• Urban-rural landuse conflicts
• Long-term food security is endangered by loss of agricultural lands
• Over exploitation of economically valuable natural resources including forests resources and fishery resources leading to depletion.
• Loss of bio-diversity

2. Issues resulting from current standard of living and lifestyle of the community :
• Air pollution
• Pollution of groundwater and surface water resources
• Loss of soil fertility

Organizational Issues

Non Government Organizations with specific environmental interests have been proliferating during the past 15 years. The challenge is to find ways to coordinate the efforts of these groups to deal more effectively with funding issues and with Government. Some form of umbrella organiztion is being contemplated.

Henk Saaltink December 2005