natural areas, reading, urban issues1 Comment

Reading challenges

Mark Ahlness

Since posting Summer Reading a couple of weeks ago, I’ve been drawn into reading on the environment which has become more and more challenging, in the sense that my preconceived ideas and notions have been repeatedly taken to task, and I have been asked to look at things differently, and to even look at issues that I never even thought about. Here are three of the most recent: From National Geographic, a discussion of the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act in, 50 Years of Wilderness. The adding of new wilderness areas brings more challenges to the maintenance and regulation issues surrounding … Continue reading Reading challenges

communication, natural areas1 Comment

Passive Use …a Thin Green Line

Denise

(This post was updated  on 8/27/14 and is also available as a pdf here. Feel free to share) Passive-Use, a Thin Green Line Now that we’ve marched down the aisle and pledged our eternal and undying love for Seattle parks, one question remains. Will we love our parks to death? Seattle is changing fast. Our population is exploding, neighborhoods are densifying, traffic is just plain nuts. We’ve come up in the world, which is wonderful. But, city life takes its toll and we’ll need greenspaces to keep us healthy and happy. We’ll also need careful planning so we don’t ruin … Continue reading Passive Use …a Thin Green Line

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Keep Cheasty Greenspace a Natural Area

Mark Ahlness

Seattle Nature Alliance is opposed to transforming Cheasty Greenspace from a designated Natural Area into an active sports area. We oppose installing a Mountain Bike Skills Course into the previously undeveloped, rare, maturing forested greenspace—or any such space in a Seattle Park. Our position was first stated in a widely read open letter from Alliance co-founder Denise Dahn, and then again in a letter the we just sent to the Mayor and City Council: Open Letter from Denise Dahn 3/26/14 Seattle Nature Alliance position on Cheasty Greenspace 7/18/14 Please consider signing the petition, Maintain foot traffic only policy within Cheasty … Continue reading Keep Cheasty Greenspace a Natural Area