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30 Metres of Appreciation

Letter to: 
Dr. Patrick Deane, President and Vice Chancellor, McMaster University
Roger Couldrey, VP Administration
Terry Sullivan, Director Security and Parking

 January 24, 2013.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for supporting Restore Cootes' desire to see the 30metre naturalized buffer installed between  Lot M parking and Ancaster Creek. For the obvious reasons of environmental integrity, this is a necessary step in the right direction, but more than that, it is accommodating a bold move forward for sustainability.

It is clear that the University Administration, through the efforts of many but especially Messrs. Couldrey and Sullivan, with implicit support from the President's Office, listened and responded to the concerns of stakeholders like Restore Cootes, and the PACCP.

It is refreshing to see McMaster take positive action to address the campus' relationship with surrounding natural lands. This action is significant in the midst of McMaster's 125th Anniversary as we remember the founding vision for the Hamilton site of McMaster,  in the words of Chancellor Howard P. Whidden to Thomas B. McQuesten:

"Do not forget that from the beginning I have been under indebtedness to you for constant support and inspiration in connection with the bringing of McMaster to Hamilton, and the making possible of its beautiful surroundings and setting." 

Hopefully the 30m buffer is only the start of a restoration of the natural lands lost to parking in Lot M. As demographic shifts move people to alternatives to single-occupancy vehicle commuting, we must keep the potential of a renewed commitment to the environment in sight as we move forward.

If there are any updates on the restoration work, I would appreciate any information you could provide.


Thank you for your efforts,


RESTORE COOTES
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