Communities to Protect Our Coast has chosen Danny Hall as this month’s Climate Hugs recipient. Hall is a teacher of science, math and French at Kwalikum and Ballenas secondary schools. He also finds time to be on the executive of Nanaimo Area Cycling Coalition and Strong Towns Nanaimo. An advocate for alternative transportation in the RDN, Hall brings careful research to this topic and offers thoughtful planning suggestions. “We can make small changes that will make a big difference for cyclists and pedestrians,” he said. Enthusiastic when he highlights the examples of good planning in Qualicum, Parksville and the Old Town area of Nanaimo, he still feels there is room for improvement. Traffic-calming designs and reformed parking mandates are tools he would like to see municipalities consider using more judiciously. He notes the Parksville Transportation Plan could better reflect the 80 per cent of people surveyed who wanted better walking and cycling infrastructure. He refers to the Qualicum/Parksville cycling route as excellent and well-used by cyclists of all ages. “Roads and parking for cars take up at least half or more land space in an area,” he said. “Cities and towns are a lot more sustainable if they have a diversity of housing options. This can be supported by alternatives to cars.” To add further clarity, Hall added, “if you want people to choose viable alternatives, they have to feel safe. I’m looking to make places where people can walk and cycle safely.” Hall’s parents were both teachers and he learned from them that volunteer work as an individual or with a community group could make a difference. As a young student hiking and skiing in the outdoors near his home, he was inspired to study science. “Green spaces even in high-density urban areas are important,” he said. “Large paved areas create heat islands and impermeable surfaces cause flooding. By design, these areas physically force people to drive. Walkable residential and business hubs are popular with everyone.” Hall points to the heat dome in June of 2021 which killed hundreds of people in B.C. and billions of sea creatures as a pivotal moment. He wanted to make a meaningful difference because “this is a crisis that threatens us all.” He became involved at that time volunteering with NALT to help eradicate invasive species and participating in the dialogue around climate change at Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. At home, he helped his parents to replace their front yard with pollinator plants. NALT was a source for these plants as well as Streamside Native Plant Nursery in Bowser. Now as a teacher himself, Hall said, “my hope is to help build a future where my students can be happy and thrive.” Hall asked that his $50 Climate Hugs award be donated to the Hamilton Wetlands and Forest Protection Society fund for purchasing Hamilton Marsh.
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