I've several times attached myself to organizations like CPAWS and Earthroots and participated in hearings as an individual. If you know a specific area, doing so can really add a voice, in that you can address what's on the ground unspecific areas. Iin one case, I did my own presentation to hearings held on the area, co-ordinating with Earthroots. and other organizations so that our research didn't overlap.
You can see my report on the gathering of NGOs hoping to save the Wolf Lake Forest Reserve here,
WLG_pg3
And the Ogoki Forest here.
The Ogoki Forest
Both were great exercises and I met a lot of interesting people, but neither of these campaigns led to significant changes in policy, except that the Ontario Government has now cancelled the framework of public review where the public even gets a say. Which in a way was an act of kindness, given that for all our effort our opinions were pretty much ignored.
I hate to be over pessimistic, I have a friend who has a degree in Evrironmental Science and has fought more than a few of these battle through public hearings etc.. and to be honest with you, every government over the last 10 years have taken legislative steps to ensure people like yourself don't have a forum to speak. So while my pages have provided many Canadian students with ideas for school projects, they have not produced any meaningful response from the Government. People still write me updating me on recent developments in the above areas, ( because they mistakenly believe I'm 'In the loop' and can actually accomplish something) and because youd think because all this development would be in direct violation of Canadian Law and government policy. The environmental NGO that takes on legal challenges is pretty much overwhelmed by the attack on wilderness, and really has to pick and choose, their cases. People say they want to preserve the environment, but they don't want to contribute to campaigns to do that. They find it easier to buy into government propaganda that tells the public what a great job they are doing.
So, my advice would be, find as many locals as you can that support your point of view. I know where I live, hunters have a disproportionate say. because they are loud, noisy and aggressive (and drink too much beer at the hunt camps). But there are lots in the community who would be happier if they were more restricted. These things usually break down into a really nasty legal battles between factions. My friend had her place trashed when one of her opponents favouring wetland development phoned the local bi-law enforcement and "anonymously" (they knew exactly who phoned and why she was phoning, and were pretty much part of her faction) complained she had thirty illegal asian immigrants living in her basement. They apparently had to trash the house looking for immigrants.
But don't go sticking your nose in there thinking this is going to be a short fight, or a clean fight… if the law is really on your side, you may be able to get something done.
I originally put my pages up on Apple's idisk.. they have been transferred to HostPapa (and lost some functionality in the transfer.) , I have several domain names registered there. None of my pages are being maintained, I keep them there reference, and when relevant send the links off to politicians etc.
By they way, just to end on a positive note, my friend was on the executive of STORM, (Save the Oak Ridges Morraine) and the work of herself and many others led to the creation of the Toronto green belt that now covers much of the moraine. I won't say people in these efforts always lose… but it always takes one heck of an effort, usually by a lot of people. Politicians like numbers, and support.