Preserve Natural Resources

I envision a future Bellingham that understands that the water, land, forests and natural spaces are what made this place the unique town that it is. I might stand at odds with the human centric approach to making everything better for more and more people to move here at the expense of trees, wildlife and unpolluted waters. Unfortunately one cannot cut down greenways and fields and add townhouses, cars and parking lots without creating more and more hardscapes leading to:

1) a hotter and more congested Bellingham

2) more pressure on infrastructure and natural resources.

I would hope that we can look back in 20 years and say we were completely innovative by:

1) planning around the land (parks, farmland, greenbelts, wildlife corridors, wetlands, preserves)

2) slowing growth in order to prioritize the environment and protect natural resources eg. lake Whatcom is our source of drinking water and we still build, log, drive and motorboat around/on it - something that really needs to be addressed if we want to protect it.

3) prioritizing local family businesses and residents who struggle to compete with chains and out of town money.

That is my deepest wish for the future of this town.