Symposia

The Institute of Urban Ecology regularly conducts symposia on issues of land use, habitat restoration, lifestyles and urban biodiversity. They have been attended by a broad range of people - concerned citizens, industry and government representatives and students. The following is a list of the symposia we have offered with the dates in brackets.

Let it Rain (2005):

On March 18, 2005 the IUE hosted the "Let it Rain" conference, which focused on managing rainwater runoff with Low Impact Development methods. Ten presentations from professionals in the field of rainwater management focused on a variety of topics. A PDF with a complete list of speakers is available.

You and the Fraser River (2002):

Exploring Connections and Conservation. A forum that examined the role the Fraser River plays in our lives, the services it provides to us and the ways our lifestyle choices affect the river. Offered in partnership with the Fraser River Discovery Centre. A PDF is now available of this symposia.

Vital Signs of Progress: Monitoring Environmental Restoration Projects (2001)

A discussion on the importance of environmental monitoring and what constitutes a successful restoration project.

Greening the Gravel:

A forum for ideas on environmental engineering, habitat restoration and reclamation in the aggregate mining industry.

Coquitlam River Watershed (1999)

An examination of the state of the environment in the Coquitlam River Watershed and approaches to reducing environmental impacts of residential, commercial and industrial development.

Green Links (1996)

An overview of the use of greenways and other natural corridors to connect green spaces, highlighting projects and opportunities in Greater Vancouver.

Douglas College, New Westminster - Saturday, October 19, 1998

There were two main objectives of the symposium. First of all, we raised awareness about Green Links, a project to increase urban biodiversity. It also provided everyone an opportunity to cultivate support and gather information on issues involving urban ecology, connectivity and other projects, both past and present.

There were displays and exhibits, along with a multitude of information about various "green" projects going on in the Lower Mainland and parts of the province.

The day was a success. Many contacts were made, information was exchanged and the exhibits were great!

These are some of the things people said about the event:

• "It exceeded my expectations. The displays were excellent."
• "Excellent speakers - especially Doug Paterson and Doug Backhouse"
• "Very good poster displays and information handouts"
• "Panel speakers [were] inspirational - common struggles of volunteer groups"
• "A good opportunity to see what initiatives are out there"
• "Was an excellent networking vehicle for those involved in 'Green Linking'"

Green Links Symposium by Arthur Hanks

"This will be the end of the single family home," says Doug Paterson of UBC's school of landscape architecture. This controversial prediction was among the keynote speaker's closing remarks at the Green Links symposium.

The symposium was organized by the Institute of Urban Ecology. The Institute was host to 18 community and 4 corporate groups, as well as a representative from the GVRD. Dr Valentin Schaefer, director of the Institute, acted as host and coordinator. About 90 people attended the all-day event.

Paterson's words set the tone of the symposium. Participants were meeting to discuss Green Links, a community-based plan that aims to transform the face of urban life in the Lower Mainland. The goal of the plan is to incorporate the natural world with the urban.

"We live in a highly fragmented world," emphasized Paterson, referring to a slide of the Marlboro Man, "where society consumes the image more than the real thing." Reintroducing nature into the city would help end one of the major juxtapositions of our times. In a future where the majority of the world's population will live in cities, programs such as Green Links will lead to a greening of the world.

This is very much a case of bringing the environment into the face of the city population.

The other speakers and the various breakout panels grappled with issues associated with urban ecology, and how to implement these principles. There was talk of preserving and reintroducing urban streams, plans to bring a salmon run at Vancouver's Hastings Park, school ground naturalization programs and the linkage and revitalization of existing green areas in the Lower Mainland into a city-wide sustainable web of life.

Doug Backhouse, of Nanaimo's Lanarc Consultants, said, "Greenways make common sense, but implementing them is the problem." He emphasized an ecosystem first approach to planning and development, listing the many benefits:

• integration of the community into the the landscape, giving it a sense of place
• maintenance of a healthy ecosystem (and healthier psychologies)
• usage of the natural infrastructure to engineering solutions
• the economic value

Backhouse stressed this last point in particular. When asked by a member of the audience about how planners are going to convince people to make this change, Backhouse replies, "By the Golden Rule. Whoever has the gold makes the rules. Your arguments have to make strong economic sense." Backhouse emphasized that all planning has to involve true-cost accounting.

Hence the end of the single family home. A development full of these dwellings is very expensive, given the hidden costs of highways, power and sewage that have to be built to serve them. An ecological approach, one that emphasizes community green space instead of the private lot, would bring lower costs to the entire community. In these value conscious times that's a bonus. More quality for less money!

Paterson agreed. "This is not just a pleasant exercise. This is very much about what we value in life."

As to the future, the Institute plans to continue working on the Green Links project to promote nature in the city and to educate more people on it's importance.

To purchase a copy of the Green Links Proceedings or for more information about the Institute, please call 604-527-5522.