While we at the VPSN tend to focus our public space lens on Vancouver’s urban environment, we’re always keen to see what’s happening elsewhere in the province, country and around the world.

That’s why we were especially keen on an article by Bruce Kirby in this weekend’s Globe and Mail. The piece looks at the possibility that the Flathead Valley – located in the south-eastern corner of BC – might become a national park. The area in question is adjascent to a UNESCO heritage area, as well as an already existing set of parks in Canada and the US. The discussion (see The Tyee Jan 3, 2008) has been on-going for a few years, but it’s nice to see some additional profile to this important issue.

Here’s an excerpt, with a link to the full article below:

Take a peek at the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a map, and you’ll notice it looks like a pie – with a large slice cut out. That slice is the Flathead. Hidden on three sides by towering mountain ranges, and to the south by the impassable U.S. border, this remote river basin is a land that guards its secrets well.

In recent years, a real western-style dust-up has been erupting over the fate of the Flathead. The only unsettled, low-elevation valley of its size in southern Canada, and home to the highest concentration of grizzlies anywhere in the North American interior, it is also rich in resources. And plenty of fingers have been reaching for that slice of pie.

For years, conservation groups have pressed for an expansion of Waterton Lakes National Park to encompass a third of the Flathead Valley… (more)

It will be interesting to see how this debate plays out. Already, the fact that both UNESCO and a number of US politicians (including Hillary Clinton) have weighed in to the discussion, offering their support, has caused some anxiety amongst Provincial politicians. Add to that the debate amongst local NGOs (the BC Wildlife Federation, a hunters and anglers group, is opposed; Sierra Club BC, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and others are supportive), and its likely that the consensus on this will not be achieved anytime soon.

The story, in fact, is not unlike the recent conflict over another proposed park in the Okanagan Similkameen region. As with the Flathead site, the Flathead site also sees a variety of ‘issue frames’ being weighed against one-another — economic growth and jobs versus sustainability, tourism versus local residents, First Nations territories and government jurisdictions, raw resources versus the intrinsic values of the natural environment, and so on.

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