The City of New Westminster’s urban forest management strategy is earning accolades from planners.
The Canadian Institute of Planners has selected the strategy as the winner of the 2017 Award for Planning Excellence in the category of Natural Systems Planning. It also received an honourable mention in the Excellence in Policy Planning by the Planning Institute of British Columbia.
“Thank you to the CIP and PIBC for recognizing our urban forest management strategy as an important plan for ensuring the protection of our urban forest,” said Coun. Patrick Johnstone in a press release. “Thanks also to city staff involved for your efforts in planning, seeking community input and recognizing the importance of implementing the plan quickly.”
The strategy provides initiatives aimed at addressing the decline in the city’s urban forest as the city densifies. It includes a plan for maintaining the urban forest for the future of the community.
Youth wanted
The New Westminster Youth Ambassador Society is looking forward to a new year with a new team of teens.
The society seeks to provide New Westminster youth aged 15 to 18 with valuable lifeskills and opportunities they might not otherwise be exposed to, by promoting New Westminster and their sponsors throughout Metro Vancouver and B.C. In addition to volunteering at events like the New West Grand Prix and Canada Day, the ambassadors attend events like the White Rock Sea Festival Parade and the Penticton Peach Festival.
Anyone wanting an application can contact [email protected] or 604-524-5675, visit the New Westminster Youth Ambassador Society page on Facebook or go to www.nwyas.org
Save the date: Aug. 27
ArtStarts returns to River Market on Sunday, Aug. 27 with a Fuzzy Bees and Food Forest presentation with Renee Sala. Sala, an artist from Crafty School of Art in Victoria, uncovers the history and magic of wool. Attendees will be using colourful, unspun wool, lots of soap and water and their own energy to create cute and cuddly fuzzy bees. Geared to kids aged five and up, groups of eight kids at a time will be led through the process. Workshops are free, but donations are welcome. Sessions take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. River Market is at 810 Quayside Dr.
’Bellies Nation celebrates
Queen’s Park was filled with “fish” for the first ever Salmonbellies Day.
Held on June 17, hundreds of Salmonbellies headed to Queen’s Park to enjoy a variety of activities, including a bouncy castle and shot contests for the younger ones and a beer garden for older lacrosse fans. The event brought together all levels of local lacrosse, including minor, junior and senior teams as well as alumni.
The City of New Westminster proclaimed June 17 Salmonbellies Day in New Westminster.
