National Park meeting update

Just a quick post to give everyone an update on the National Park meeting tonight... I'll post more details later when I don't have so many tasks to finish.

We had a good crowd... didn't get an exact count, but I'd say 15-20 anyway. I was thrilled to have Haney Linden show up partway into things... also present were such notable SL names as Elle Pollack, Jamie Otis, Loki Piko, Higbee Protagonist, Torley Torgeson, and many others equally important whose names I just can't recall at the moment. (Forgive me, my mind's still buzzing from the meeting.) Thanks bunches to all who showed up... it does me good to see so much interest.

Ideas were discussed as to organizing, managing and funding a park... I'm working on an edited (for relevant content) notecard with a meeting transcript, so if anyone wants to see it, just IM me later in the week.

A group was created, Friends of the Forest, to work on preserving this and other natural areas for all in SL to enjoy. The group is open to all-- anyone interested can join from the groups page, or IM me for more information.

Among the proposed ideas was for the parkland to be group owned, using donations... several people at the meeting have offered land already, and I'm happy to report that the group has 6758 m2 already in proposed donations. Thanks again to all of you, you're the best.

Another meeting has been set for next Sunday, same time and place, to discuss a group charter and a proposal for the park. All are welcome to attend, whether you're a group member or not. The more the merrier! Hopefully we should also be getting a group forum soon.

It was the first event for the Waterhead stage, as far as I'm aware, and my first event, so I'm really pleased it went so well. Thanks again to the Lindens for listening and showing interest in this. Hopefully this is just the beginning of something great!

It was a fun meeting. We learned that we have a lot of work to do, but fortunately, we are all fairly like minded in wanting to preserve the forests while adding content that will make it a destination.

A few of the things we talked about (in addition to what Ilianexsi mentioned) was having hiking trails, off road vehicle routes, boat rentals, bird watching, nature study, camping/cabin rentals, etc. It will take a lot of work, but as a shared effort it should not tax anyone more than the next. It is an exciting project shaping up and the more ideas we have the better.

If your interested in preserving green space and would like to seek ways to introduce others to the enjoyment of natural environments, feel free to join the Friends of the Forest.

The Friends of the Forest group was up to 20 members last night by the time I finally went to bed. Yay! And welcome to all the new members.

I just recently acquired 8192m of Forest land in Lonsdale (96, 64). I will be conserving the forest and making a park/pond type setting. This will take some time for me to create, but it will keep its natural beauty.

I'm glad to hear that others are wanting to do the same.

Huggerz,
MJ

Ilianexsi, thanks for organizing this meeting. It was cool to see so many people interested in helping to preserve forested areas.

I would encourage anyone interested in showing support to this cause to become a member of the Friends of the Forest group (do a Find in the Groups Tab for "forest". Membership is free. After becoming a member, consider contributing some land tier to help give the group some much needed resources to work with.

Wow, MrsJakal, thanks! It's great to see other people who want to preserve, rather than develop. Malls and clubs have their place, but I like seeing spaces that are free of them.

And you're welcome, Salazar.... it was great to see everybody! Actually an even bigger thanks should go to Elle Pollack, who recently reminded me that I'd said something about organizing a meeting, and gave me the push needed to make me stop being discouraged, keep up hope, and go ahead with my plans. Without her encouragement I probably would have just given up and gone home to sulk. Thanks bunches, Elle!

Not a problem, in fact this is something that I planned to do before I saw anything about this. In fact, since the last post i aquired another 8192m parcel right next door and although it had already been cleared by the previous owner I do intend to put the forest trees back to help it look like its orginal state.