EDITORIAL
by Elaine Robinson
The “Seasons of Mist and Mellow Fruitfulness” are fast fading while the cool damp mist that precedes snow hovers predicating the joy of upcoming Winter activities.
We absorb the rhythms of the earth’s changing seasons as a birthright.
The term “Sustainability” refers to our efforts to exert less disturbance on our surroundings as we strive to balance the multitude and magnitude of interferences in the earth’s natural processes caused by our activities.
Our provincial government talks about “sustainable economic development”. What will be sustained besides the money-making?
The Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society summer newsletter is dedicated to the need for environmental groups to fulfil our duty as stewards of the sustainability of our province’s lands by keeping a watchful eye open.
I extrapolate from Sheila White’s editorial as follows:
“OSPS as Stewards Keeping a Watchful Eye”
Announcements by former Minister of Parks, Bill Barisoff, have made this watch imperative. The proposal to “open the parks” by allowing new roads and lodges (up to 80 beds) to be built within the parks, flies in the face of the stated ministerial duty, to enhance the park qualities. A paper has been produced by the Valhalla Wilderness Committee, Western Canada Wilderness Committee, and the BC Government Employees Union presenting this threat together with the Principles of Parks.
OSPS directors have also been promoting the proposed National Grasslands Park for the Okanagan following the work of all the stakeholders in 5 years of LRMP meetings.
OSPS directors would greatly appreciate your assistance in sharing these concerns with friends and family and everyone else. There are other groups in BC which share these same interests. Let us combine our voices as they will be heard when we speak out for these precious habitats. by Sheila White, Secretary, OSPS”
