This is the fourth is a series of editorials from the East Kootenay Wildlife Association, aimed at raising awareness on the state of renewable resource and wildlife management in B.C. and our region.
Kevin Podrasky
British Columbia’s natural assets are the envy of the world, but our ability to access wild places and enjoy the outdoors is being overrun and accessed by many modes of motorized and non-motorized modes of transportation, into areas only once attainable by foot.
The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation protects wildlife as a shared public resource, allocated fairly to common folk. It is meant to be democratic and forward-looking. Over the past 30 years, British Columbia has drifted away from this egalitarian, sustainable model, particularly as the government embraces short-term political expediency.
Earlier this year, people were rightly outraged when the provincial government tried to rush changes to the Land Act. The backlash convinced our elected officials to rethink their strategy and restart their public consultation process. This lack of consultation is causing confrontations, habitat destruction and disruption to wildlife rearing and feeding areas.
As you can see in the graphic, all of us have an effect on wildlife and the reason why some regulation of our activities are needed, especially during critical times such as rearing of young, use of critical habitat for survival and moving through essential corridors.
To have proper and thoughtful restricted activities requires engagement with the public to make them aware of where and when wildlife and habitat needs to be left alone or less frequented to arrive at meaningful stewardship planning.
By doing this we will ensure that all British Columbians can enjoy the beauty and the bounty of this province in perpetuity.
Ask questions of your candidates and demand answers.
Kevin Podrasky is President of the East Kootenay Wildlife Association