The development we're all seeing in our own towns and cities
emphasizes 2 underlying points:  greed, and the disconnect between
people and the natural world.

I do agree with the gentleman who wrote about how easy it is to sway
town officials and agencies in favoring development projects, and how
weak most zoning laws are.  Most town governments have very short-
sighted perspectives in thinking that allowing development would add
to the tax base, all the while, neglecting the costs that would offset
any such benefit.
I'm sure there are plenty of kickbacks and payoffs going on all the time.
Besides, who could resist any development that holds the false promise
of "reducing property taxes"?

Looking at Griswold Airport, most people would think, it's just a
useless patch of weeds.  They haven't a clue about the natural world,
how essential it is to our well-being and very survival.  They just don't
connect with it on any level other than the usual recreational pursuits.
This is where environmental education is so sorely needed, beyond
"preaching to the already-converted", and helping people connect with
nature, understand the relevance of it to their own quality of life, and
become better stewards.  You can't protect what you don't know.

Patrick, would I be correct in assuming there was an environmental
impact study done on the proposed Griswold development?
If so, have you seen it?  Are there any flaws that would provide
potential grounds for disallowing the development?

Meredith Sampson
Old Greenwich

-- Katz1449@aol.com wrote:

Thank you for all the input on "threat recognition".  It  was fascinating and
very informative!
Regarding coastal development near Hammonassett/Griswold  Point, it is a sad
commentary for the future of open space and preservation of  wetlands.  I ,
for one, will write some letters to state  officials.
But that same thing happened (is happening)  on New Haven  Ave. in Milford
where a good size condominium development is going up right on  the wetlands
where I have observed many shorebirds.
If anyone has seen the movie "Evan Almighty" ,  a  cute G rated movie, and
worth seeing, it makes several good  points.  One of the points being the
"behind the scene" deals that are made  regarding development of once undeveloped
lands.  It is a very family  oriented movie, but makes some very worthwhile
points regarding respect of land  and animals ,if one listens to the message.

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"preaching to the already-converted", and helping people connect with
nature, understand the relevance of it to their own quality of life, and
become better stewards.  You can't protect what you don't know.

This reminds me of Steve Irwin saying that people protect what they love.

While on the thought of environmental education, how do you change things
when so much is cut out of public education today and there is a general
apathy of kids in schools?  I can't tell you how many kids I interned with
are under the impression that they will become sports or rock stars and make
big dollars and have huge homes and expensive cars.  Planet Earth will turn
totally into a concrete jungle if we don't reach enough people.  I can only
hope to make more connections to the environment when I get my own science
classroom.

Donna Lorello
Branford