| School and Children's programs call the Surrey Nature Centre at 604 588-6825 The Green Timbers Heritage Society is the steward of the Green Timbers
Urban Forest. Since 1987 the Board of Directors have been working closely
with the Surrey Parks, Recreation and Culture to improve the trails
and open the forest up to residents of Surrey for their recreation and
education of the forest, plants and wildlife.
The Green Timbers Heritage Society was incorporated with the aim of preserving the square mile of forest, which was replanted in the 1930's after it was logged, and then dedicated by the Tolmie government to remain treed. Eventually the City of Surrey traded land on 192nd Street in exchange for a major part of the forest. We thought the forest was finally saved. However a former Surrey mayor thought he had a better idea and logged a major section of the forest in 1987 to build a football stadium and parking lot.  Our Society took up the torch and fought to keep the forest in its natural state. Working closely with the City Council we managed to get a referendum passed by residents that saved the forest from the football stadium. But we only saved the urban forest from 92 to 100 avenues.
The city councillors wanted to sell the forest land north of 100 Avenue to developers for residential condominiums. The City was offered $32 Million for the land. The Green Timbers Heritage Society thought it was worth more to leave it as forest. The City called another referendum and 97 per cent of citizens supported keeping it as a forest. While the Society was trying to save this part of the forest, they built trails through it connecting this section of the forest with the rest of Green Timbers. Over the years the Society has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for work in the forest. All the trails are now built to high standards and with bridges and gravel they are passable all year long. The Society also manages a program called Surrey Stewardship of Natural Areas Partnership (SSNAP). It is a partnership between five environmental groups in Surrey managed by the Green Timbers Heritage Society. Four to five university students are hired to work in Surrey forests and parks from May to the end of August. The Society is a wholly volunteer run organization and any money raised goes directly into the forest. Volunteers are needed for trail building and tour guides work.
Ellen came across this poem from one old friend to another when they were saddened by the loss of natural habitat in the early 90s. They were friends for close to 80 years...and called each other, Jake and Joe. John died 2003, age 89 and Harry 2005, age 92. They grew up in various parts of Surrey, and knew it well. Today, Ellen is sure they would have been pleased with the way that the Green Timbers Heritage Society's projects have brought new life to the forest and the creeks. This poem is printed by hand on a slice of vine maple that John gave to Harry. On the back are two marks in the wood that look like tears, so Harry carved out two eyes and a sad mouth...to complete his message. This poem was forwarded by Ellen Edwards, daughter of John Tompson, remembering the days of her roots, at Bear Creek... To John Tompson In 1926, many years ago,
Two lads met, Jake and Joe.
By Bear Creek, crystal clear,
There roamed the bear - the deer. In spring stood a doe with new born fawn,
In fall, salmon swimming up to spawn.
In 1925 after the big slash fire,
Wild blackberries and fireweed -
Blossoms to admire. The two boys walked the trail
At the back,
On rainy days, playing in Jimmy's shack.
On the trail where they took their hikes,
Passing Mr. Nixon's old ram pikes. The bridge over Bear Creek,
Constructed of logs,
At night hearing the sound of the frogs. The old growth Green Timbers
Standing close by,
Its mighty tree tops reach to the sky.
Gone are the old growth, and
Creek waters so clear...
Gone are the salmon, the bear and the deer. Now what do Jake and Joe think of this?
All that remains -
Memories to reminisce. | 
