An Earth Day event Saturday afternoon will celebrate the Belleville Marsh and its many inhabitants.
But Bay of Quinte Green Party of Ontario President Lori Borthwick says the Earth Day Parade of Marsh Critters along the Shirley Langer trail is also intended to send a message to the province about the threats posed by Bill 23.
Borthwick says they’re making it a fun event to attract families.
“We’re encouraging people if they would like to, I think it would be a lot of fun, if we dressed as our favourite wetland critter but, also understanding that might be a little difficult, we are encouraging people to bring signs and we’re hoping to have someone there to do some face painting.”
Borthwick says the concern remains that areas deemed Provincially Significant Wetlands like the Belleville Marsh could be threatened if they are reassessed under Bill 23 and lose that status.
“So we’re really wanting to highlight just how important these areas are. They catch rain water to help mitigate flood risks. They release slowly like a sponge so they also help to mitigate drought. The Belleville Marsh is important in stabilizing the shoreline and cleaning the water that enters the Bay of Quinte.”
There are plans to send photos of the event to Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith’s office.
Borthwick says the parade is a Yours to Protect event.
Yours to Protect is an environmental group of individuals and organizations supporting clean water, farmland, biodiversity, and healthy communities in Ontario.
Yours to Protect is holding several events across the province Saturday and Sunday as part of its second annual Yours to Protect Weekend.
The Parade of Critters begins at 2 p.m at the Herchimer Boat launch.
