I was shocked last night when I walked my dog at Willow Way trail - between Keating & Stelly's, along the hydro trail. A machine has gone on a clearing rampage, eliminating one side of the hedgerow. The underbrush and small trees have been cleared up to the fence line. Only last week I saw a pair of cedar waxwings there. I can see no reason for the clearing, especially during bird nesting time. This underbrush is home to several quail. I immediately emailed Central Saanich and also BC Hydro, but have had no response, as yet. I am not clear as to whose jurisdiction this is, and I am shocked that this kind of work was allowed to proceed with no sensitivity as to the bird life along this trail.
Does anyone have any ideas as to who I can contact further?

Contact your MP. Call the City or Prov authorities. Find out who is responsible for road clearing (may be a provincial contract) REALLY make a fuss about this.

Here on Gabriola I have had to go to battle on this several times.....the people hired to do
the road work have got themselves these huge monster machines that just devastate the
roadsides and they do not ever consider the time of year, the use of the plants they are destroying or anything....just gotta use those big toys.

They are horribly destructive and you should get onto them right away.

thanks for your response. Last night I contacted the Ministry of Environment, the local newspaper, a local biologist, and a local ex-community councillor. You are right, it is up to citizens to be vigilant, and to make people aware of these issues. I am still astounded that this kind of destruction happens, I thought we were all more aware of the environment, but seems not to be. Yes, big boys with big toys....
I will post again when I get some answers. All the best for you on Gabriola.

I heard back from Central Saanich, road crew. It was them. Highly unenlightened, very depressing...

Take it from you...you have to go public with this sort of thing. Do not accept what the road crew say...they are just being paid to do a job. I would fire a letter off to the local papers etc etc. When it happened here I was writing an email at 1am to our local Islands trust person because I couldn't sleep (also worried about tiny new fawns laying in the tall grass and the ditches). She gave me the number to call at the RDN and I went after her and the work was stopped that day. Of course Gabriolans are kinda known for being rather
difficult to deal with so she probably wanted to avoid yet another contretemps with islanders. At any rate it stopped. Firstly there is no need for this kind of destruction of habitat and secondly if for some reason they cannot stop themselves then do it in the fall - NOT in the spring. Make a bit noise! Get other local birders and wildlife protectors with you.

thanks for your support! Yes, I have contacted the local newspaper and MOE...As well as the local ratepayer assoc. It's too late to halt this destruction, but as you say I will lobby for it to be minimized and done at non-nesting time in the future....and for them to exercise some sensitivity around these issues.
take care.

Your local MP Gary Lunn..... may not be very sympathetic, from is background in forestry and mining,,, but maybe he likes to see himself on TV.

http://www.garylunn.com/main_ektid32.aspx

Go big,,, contact local tv news, since the environment on everyone's mind because of the oil spill,, would make great home spun story.

This link has direct links to all the radio stations and tv stations!

http://www.vancouverisland.com/general/ ... .asp?id=41

cheers

thanks! Have sent emails to several on your list. Hopefully something will come of it. I know it's a small issue, but one that really got me upset, it was so unnecessary.
Cheers.