(Letter to Govt)
Photo from WildernessCommittee.org
my letter:
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Written with Wilderness Committee's letter-writing tool --you can write one too! --here:
Photo from WildernessCommittee.orgmy letter:
TO: Nakusp Mayor & Councillors, Premier Horgan, Minister Heyman, Minister Donaldson, Minister Beare, Mr. Andrew Weaver
RE: PLEASE PROTECT SPECIAL TOAD HABITAT!
Dear Madam/Sirs,
I was so very dismayed to learn of plans for more logging to take place at Summit Lake, home to the largest population of western toads in the world. Every summer thousands visit to watch baby toads migrate from the lake where they are born to the forest they spend their lives in. In fact the BC government once called it “one of the greatest wildlife migrations in the world”.
I recently learned that the Nakusp & Area Community Forest Company (NACFOR) has cut some core toad habitat for timber in recent years. These new cuts could easily endanger these famous toads --& I cannot stand for that to happen!
I am still reeling from this terrible news, as I am shocked you would allow this iconic species to die out due to destruction of their habitat for a one-time profit grab! This shows a very UN-CANadian disrespect of our iconic, precious native wildlife - especially in light of recent exposés on BC's ruthless & unsustainable logging policies. This obsolete attitude is the very antithesis of what we want to honour here in beautiful BC, & i find it unacceptable.
I am asking you today to please set aside a minimum of 670 hectares of this prime wildlife habitat instead of cutting it for timber. The toads rely on intact forest habitat across Highway 6 from Summit Lake, where they migrate & spend 97% of their lives: losing this unique endangered living species would be an unmitigated ecological tragedy that your decision noT to log could prevent! The Wilderness Committee of BC states:
"We ask that no more logging occurs in the 670 Ha of NACFOR’s tenure that has been research-identified as core terrestrial toad habitat. This small area is 'Species at Risk' habitat.. As of 2018 over $800,000 has already been invested to prevent toad deaths on Highway 6, which cuts off Summit Lake from adult toad forest habitat.."
Please: Let’s not waste this investment by recklessly destroying toad habitat across the highway! Many thousands of people would be utterly destroyed by such a callous, careless action..
These world-renowned toads are responsible for Toad Fest, a raging ecotourism success drawing thousands of visitors each year. This event alone can provide sustainable economic opportunity in the growing sector of ecotourism if the native toad population is preserved, being the largest of its kind for this species..
This forest is also home to wild grizzly bears, great blue herons, couer d’Alene salamanders & other species at risk. Protecting its rich biodiversity is a critical imperative, if we are to survive this global crisis let alone thrive -- which isn't likely if we keep logging the healthy forests & wilderness areas that sustain us!?
Instead of irresponsibly cutting down this forest & undermining all cherished values except the one-off sale of timber (which in my opinion would be criminal given the global state of things due to deforestation etc), Nakusp should respect its native local wildlife species & preserve their important habitat, thereby facilitating peaceful enjoyment of this favourite tourist spot for decades to come..
As the sole owner of NACFOR, Nakusp can choose not to log & instead be key conservation partners going forward: this option is preferable for everyone -- except perhaps the habitat destroyers, the logging co's that have unsustainably raped too much of BC for far too long. We cannot afford to lose more carbon-sinking forests, or drive more wild species to extinction..
Enough is enough: a climate emergency is underway, & Canada's performance so far has been shameful at best -- ie. our destructive resource-mgmt methods have contributed to this 'climate crisis' - & we must transition to liveable, sustainable methods that protect remaining healthy ecosystems from harm - for future generations at the very least..
Please do the right thing & protect these toads from unnecessary habitat destruction!
Thank you very much.
Sarah Chesterman
Maple Ridge, BC
RE: PLEASE PROTECT SPECIAL TOAD HABITAT!
Dear Madam/Sirs,
I was so very dismayed to learn of plans for more logging to take place at Summit Lake, home to the largest population of western toads in the world. Every summer thousands visit to watch baby toads migrate from the lake where they are born to the forest they spend their lives in. In fact the BC government once called it “one of the greatest wildlife migrations in the world”.
I recently learned that the Nakusp & Area Community Forest Company (NACFOR) has cut some core toad habitat for timber in recent years. These new cuts could easily endanger these famous toads --& I cannot stand for that to happen!
I am still reeling from this terrible news, as I am shocked you would allow this iconic species to die out due to destruction of their habitat for a one-time profit grab! This shows a very UN-CANadian disrespect of our iconic, precious native wildlife - especially in light of recent exposés on BC's ruthless & unsustainable logging policies. This obsolete attitude is the very antithesis of what we want to honour here in beautiful BC, & i find it unacceptable.
I am asking you today to please set aside a minimum of 670 hectares of this prime wildlife habitat instead of cutting it for timber. The toads rely on intact forest habitat across Highway 6 from Summit Lake, where they migrate & spend 97% of their lives: losing this unique endangered living species would be an unmitigated ecological tragedy that your decision noT to log could prevent! The Wilderness Committee of BC states:
"We ask that no more logging occurs in the 670 Ha of NACFOR’s tenure that has been research-identified as core terrestrial toad habitat. This small area is 'Species at Risk' habitat.. As of 2018 over $800,000 has already been invested to prevent toad deaths on Highway 6, which cuts off Summit Lake from adult toad forest habitat.."
Please: Let’s not waste this investment by recklessly destroying toad habitat across the highway! Many thousands of people would be utterly destroyed by such a callous, careless action..
These world-renowned toads are responsible for Toad Fest, a raging ecotourism success drawing thousands of visitors each year. This event alone can provide sustainable economic opportunity in the growing sector of ecotourism if the native toad population is preserved, being the largest of its kind for this species..
This forest is also home to wild grizzly bears, great blue herons, couer d’Alene salamanders & other species at risk. Protecting its rich biodiversity is a critical imperative, if we are to survive this global crisis let alone thrive -- which isn't likely if we keep logging the healthy forests & wilderness areas that sustain us!?
Instead of irresponsibly cutting down this forest & undermining all cherished values except the one-off sale of timber (which in my opinion would be criminal given the global state of things due to deforestation etc), Nakusp should respect its native local wildlife species & preserve their important habitat, thereby facilitating peaceful enjoyment of this favourite tourist spot for decades to come..
As the sole owner of NACFOR, Nakusp can choose not to log & instead be key conservation partners going forward: this option is preferable for everyone -- except perhaps the habitat destroyers, the logging co's that have unsustainably raped too much of BC for far too long. We cannot afford to lose more carbon-sinking forests, or drive more wild species to extinction..
Enough is enough: a climate emergency is underway, & Canada's performance so far has been shameful at best -- ie. our destructive resource-mgmt methods have contributed to this 'climate crisis' - & we must transition to liveable, sustainable methods that protect remaining healthy ecosystems from harm - for future generations at the very least..
Please do the right thing & protect these toads from unnecessary habitat destruction!
Thank you very much.
Sarah Chesterman
Maple Ridge, BC
Powered by Ne
& some nice.after-effects *beam*