To the editor: Re: "Fish pond in sanctuary doesn't fly with neighbours," June 5.
The Sanctuary at Hastings Park was opened in 1999. There have been 130 different bird species identified in the Sanctuary, some of which have nested there. This small green space within the boundaries of Hastings Park is situated next to Playland and Hastings Street. It is a fragile developing ecosystem that needs careful stewardship to support the species that have felt safe enough to make the Sanctuary home. For this reason, the urban fishing initiative is a problem. Experts in responsible maintenance of natural habitat raised the alarm with respect to this fishing course that has already threatened the safety of nesting birds.
Despite the warnings, the fishing program was approved by the PNE Board. This initiative does not teach children about natural habitat or the environment. Fishing in the pond in the Sanctuary may be fun, but it is definitely not fun for the natural creatures trying to establish themselves there. The new dock and increased traffic of fishers is damaging to the Sanctuary. Sadly it is no longer a Sanctuary for the creatures it was intended to protect.
Let us teach our children to learn about nature from observation. Let us teach them to care for the natural environment, not exploit it.
Hastings Park Conservancy members have volunteered for years to educate the community about this small natural green space. Volunteers regularly offer Nature Walks and Bird Walks.
The schedule can be found at the Hastings Park Conservancy website.
Gale Tyler, Vancouver
