Four years ago…

We remember the morning of November 21, 2012 vividly. The Highland Companies — backed by the $27-billion Boston hedge fund, Baupost — suddenly withdrew its application for its proposed Mega Quarry in Melancthon township northwest of Toronto. The announcement came exactly one month after 40,000 people had gathered at Toronto’s Woodbine Park for Soupstock, a culinary celebration of the Class 1 farmland that was being threatened by the largest proposed quarry in Canadian history.

The news of Highland’s decision spread quickly through the grassroots movement that had fought the Mega Quarry since the application was filed 18-months earlier. Farmers, First Nations, environmentalists, chefs, artists, writers, students, rural residents and urbanites cheered. Many supporters rushed outside with markers to edit their Stop the Mega Quarry lawn signs. Congratulations and thanks to everyone who helped save the land and water that sustain us!