Dear Editor,

Having spent the past 70-plus years of my life living, loving, working, and playing in Langley, there's no section of this community that holds my heart strings tighter than Glen Valley.

An important part of this neighbourhood - incredibly rich in ecology and history - is being threatened by people with short-term vision.

I'm talking about the councillors of the day who, it seems, are pushing to bulldoze second- or old-growth forests and invaluable wetland for some quick coin.

This is a natural resource that, once gone, will be lost forever, and for what? As world-renowned artist and conservationist Robert Bateman said, when throwing his support behind the preservation efforts, this forested area could be key to the well-being - both physically and mentally - of existing and future generations in this community.

In my view, the Township is way too anxious to sell this 25 acres, intent on plowing down trees more than a century in the making, and devastating the wetlands that have been home to numerous animals and families through the years. And another treed area just west, that's also owned by the municipality, will probably be next on the selling block.

What's proposed on this ecologically sensitive land is a series of monster homes or mansions too big for any average family to sustain.

I beg the community to rally together before it's too late.

Join Watchers of Langley Forests (WOLF) in blocking the sale of this valuable land (and I'm not talking about wealth in terms of money).

I can't believe this new community group is being forced to raise $3 million to purchase and ultimately save this land. But we're being told this is the only way they can save it from being sold off.

Instead, I think our elected officials should pay heed to the community outcry and look elsewhere to fill the municipal coffers.

I believe that anyone who walks this land will realize its incredible value - much like Stanley Park is valued now in Vancouver.

This land has to come off the selling block for good.

The Township council has to not only halt any of its plans for an immediate sale, but take all steps necessary to permanently preserve the land as a heritage park.

In addition to rallying support of local citizens, let's get Metro Vancouver, the province, and even the feds involved in saving this land.

That's a legacy we could all be proud to pass down to future generations.

Kudos to the members of WOLF for stepping up and leading this fight.

Marge Shiell, Langley