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September
1998 Newsletter
Why
We Live Up Trees
(A
true story from England)
We are building tree houses in threatened trees in Derby
City Centre!
These trees stand on Bass Recreation Ground and on the banks
of the Mill Fleam as it joins the River Derwent running
through our city. The park is public open space and the
fleam is part of a grade one wildlife site. I have lived
up a crack willow for six months. On a daily basis I see
swans, bats, ducks, fish, hedgehogs, song birds and a kingfisher
right in the heart of the city.
In
this grey city, environmental issues seem a fringe concern
to the majority of citizens. Most people are aware of green
campaigns, but this manifests itself as awareness of issues
worldwide. However, it's frustrating to save whales or bears,
for example, in places most will never visit, while our
local wildlife areas are being destroyed.
Earlier
this year it became clear that part of one of our oldest
parks is to be sacrificed to a road system as part of a
sweeping city centre re-shuffle. Few objections had been
offered (and these were disregarded!) to the City Council's
plans. A group of friends, including myself, have been inspired
by treetop protests, so a challenging idea presented itself:
the chance to fulfil our ambitions and start a campaign
from scratch in our own backyard.
Michael
Thomas Bass, Liberal MP, city Benefactor and wealthy man
presented his recreation ground to us in 1866. The deeds
he left clearly state his wishes that the park be used for
recreational purposes forever.
In
its time the Rec was a thriving local park but progress
sees it isolated by roads and neglected by its guardians.
Rather than lose the park, we feel this city would benefit
from its regeneration.
Some
have questioned the efficacy of our tree occupation. However,
the majority of Derby citizens did not know that the Rec
was under threat or were aware of Mr. Bass' legacy. They
are now! We feel building in and actually protecting trees
is the strongest statement we can make. I feel our unusual
tactics have proved successful. A large comprehensive campaign
has grown around us. Our tree houses provide a focus that
frustrated folk can relate to - maybe we appeal to the childlike
tree-den builder in people! Heaps more inspiring than patronising
leaflets and dull political lobbying.
We
live in trees because we have no faith in a town planning
system which bulldozes a park to create a road. Our faith
lies in our own abilities and our strength to oppose our
park's destruction. The 400-odd trees we occupy contribute
physically and aesthetically to our city scene. Replacing
them with tarmac is obviously bad ecology.
Whilst
decision-makers seem to pay lip service to green issues
across the board, we live up trees as ordinary people, serious
about protecting and nurturing our city environment.
Reprinted
from the August 1998 issue of the Urban Wildlife News, published
in the UK. The author's name is "Plum".
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