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The first time Sandra Milligan marched with a placard was to protest the Walmart development when it was proposed to be next to the Campbell River estuary.
“That really galvanized the community and really brought the community’s value for the Campbell River in particular, but for natural spaces in general, and that sort of put me in a leadership role for the first time,” she said.
Milligan has been volunteering with Greenways Land Trust since moving to Campbell River in 2003 and has been president of the society for the last few years.
She also sits on the BC Hydro Liason Commission and regularly does presentations on a variety of topics for Elder College and schools within the community.
Growing up, her parents were always volunteering, so as an adult that was something Milligan sought out wherever she lived.
She first learned about engaging in the political process to make change when she was living in Mill Bay. She read a book that recommended looking over the official community plan as that was a good way to gauge the community’s values; are they planning on protecting streams or planting trees?
She continued along that path when she moved to Campbell River, setting up a Smart Growth workshop for the mayor, councillors and city planner to attend.
“It was really the start of engaging with city council and educating about the benefits of developing in the least detrimental way, in a way that really improves your community,” she said.
And she has continued using the political process to make change since then.
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