Protect Talisman: Public Lands Matter

This spring, Grey Highlands Council asked us, their constituents, for our vision of the Beaver Valley. We are part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which includes the jewel of Talisman, and as such our responsibility is to reconcile the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use. Hundreds of us took the time to participate in these “visioning” sessions. We heard from so many of their fierce desire to protect the valley, including the Talisman lands, from over-tourism and development that is inappropriately sized for what this ecosystem can handle.

The visioning report has not yet been released and yet Grey Highlands decided to sell 133.8 acres of publicly owned land on the Talisman site to an unknown company, and we are very upset. Something has gone wrong with the process that led us to this critical moment. The public was consulted and then ignored. An alternate offer was brought forward by a community group which did not receive a response. We are disappointed by the municipality's lack of transparent due process, their minimizing of their own information sessions, and the magnitude of work that has happened behind closed doors.

We are concerned that Council is making the most important decisions out of public view. We want our Municipal Council to STOP THE SALE to Westway, to develop a vision and site plan for the Talisman lands with public input and broad community engagement, and to commit to an open and transparent process.

Funds raised here will be used to help make our public voice heard by Council regarding the lack of public deliberation, the unpublished results of the visioning sessions, and the general secrecy around these municipal activities. All money donated will assist with communications and strategy on these issues. Our community has many questions and wants answers!

Please donate to this critically timed effort. 

You can sign the petition here at Protect Talisman