Help Establish a Sizeable Okanagan-Similkameen National Park
From our friends at the Western Canada Wilderness Committee…
Protect BC’s “Pocket Desert”, Grasslands, and Ponderosa Pine forests: Help Establish a Sizeable Okanagan-Similkameen National Park!
Currently, Canadians are being presented with one of the most exceptional conservation opportunities in our history. The BC and federal governments have agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study for a potential national park to protect the desert, grasslands, and Ponderosa pine ecosystems of the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia. The local residents and the millions of Canadians who’ve visited the area know it is perhaps the most beautiful region of the country. Whether the national park becomes a reality – or a lost opportunity – depends on YOUR input and the input of all Canadians…
The petition drive needs your help! Currently the WCWC has collected about 7000 signatures – help us hit 10,000 signatures by the end of February!
http://www.okanaganpetition.org
This region, around the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, Keremeos and Cawston, has more species at risk than any other region of BC. Canyon wrens, white-headed woodpeckers, badgers, California bighorn sheep, tiger salamanders, spadefoot toads, pallid bats, spotted bats, scorpions, and rattlesnakes all inhabit the area. A national park here would encompass a greater diversity of ecosystems than any national park in Canada – 6 of BC’s 14 major ecosystem types (“biogeoclimatic zones”) are found in this little region.
National parks are very rare – there are only 7 national parks in BC, in contrast to almost 1000 provincial parks and protected areas here. National parks tend to be much larger than provincial parks and have the highest standards of environmental protection. A national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region would be the greatest conservation opportunity for a region that is the greatest conservation priority in Canada right now.
Anyone who lives in North America knows that national parks greatly enhance local economies by increasing tourism revenues and providing local jobs, not to mention increasing the environmental quality of life for local people and all Canadians.
This proposed park – a once in a lifetime opportunity – will only become a reality if enough Canadians speak up to the political decision-makers!
Petition Drive needs YOUR help!
Once you download copies to circulate at www.okanaganpetition.org
you might wonder:
How can I gather signatures?
Here are some suggestions:
– The most direct way is simply to ask your neighbours on your street (door to door):
“Would you like to sign a petition for a new national park in the Okanagan Valley near Osoyoos and Penticton to protect BC’s grasslands, desert, and endangered species? We currently have 7000 signatures, our goal is 10,000 by late February.”
– On busy streets! This is the quickest way to get the most signatures. Expect that about half the people will sign, the rest will wander past you in a rush, there will be a couple rude people too – but generally a lot more supporters.
– Also during Christmas / Holiday season family gatherings – especially if you have many extended relatives!!
– At church – pass them through the aisles if the minister approves!
– In class! Pass them up and down the aisles!
– At work!
– At movie line-ups.
Whether you collect 1 signature or 1,000 signatures, it’ll all add up!
PLEASE SEND-IN COMPLETED SIGNATURES by late February 2008 to:
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
651 Johnson St., Victoria, BC V8W 1M7