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February 5, 2003
Dear_____________:
The accompanying remarks by Charles Lamb have motivated us to
write to you. We agree with
Mr. Lamb that “religious people…all people of good will” should
take active roles in helping to protect the environment.
We also believe that many people of good will do take active
roles, writing and calling their elected officials, supporting those
organizations that fight for environmental causes with memberships and
contributions, and by living their lives in ways respectful of the
earth.
There is a need, however, and an opportunity, for the
religious community’s greater involvement in a local restoration
proposal--along the gorge rim between Niagara Falls and Lewiston, New
York. This requires the
removal of all parkway lanes and the construction of a hiking and
bicycling path along the gorge top, which the Niagara Heritage
Partnership has proposed.
Achieving this goal would protect and extend the fragile
gorge environment with long-grass wildflower meadows, creating an
extended park attractive to residents and eco-tourists.
Its economic component would be helpful to the region.
A detailed rationale for this proposal is provided on our
website.
We are writing to extend an invitation to your church to
support this proposal. Your
support can be offered on several levels, singly or in combination.
- You
are personally invited to add your name to the online petition of
supporting individuals and to make a comment. www.niagaraheritage.org.
- Please
consider encouraging your congregation members to sign the online
petition. They may be
informed by newsletter or in some other way.
(We also have paper petition sheets available if that would
be helpful.)
- After
favorably considering the proposal, please instruct us to add your
institution’s name to the nearly fifty other supporting groups
listed on the website.
If we do not hear from you, we will call to ask about your
response. Please join with
us to help recreate a serene and beautiful natural landscape along the
Niagara Gorge rim.
Sincerely,
Bob Baxter. Conservation Chair |