OSPSOKANAGAN NEWSLETTER SIMILKAMEEN PARKS SOCIETY Fall P.O. Box 787, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0 2010 Phone: 250-494-8996 • Email: [email protected] What Has The O.S.P.S. It’s Your World Been Up To? by Bob Harrington t the end of June, Orville Dyer (BC future, safe non-motorized pathway links n spite of all talk to the contrary, a con- MoE) and Mike Miller (consulting could be joined to form a continuous route servation ethic is a long way from becom- botanist), conducted a Rare Plant from Summerland south to . Your ing a reality. We may be an enlightened ASurvey on Oliver Mountain. There is currently society will endeavor to continue to be one race,I but as long as the dollar ethic is more a proposal to make this mountain a protected of the leading forces behind such a vision. important that a conservation ethic little will Area. The survey recorded three new locations be changed. for three red-listed plants on the site. A little further to the north, in Summerland, the OSPS has helped to ensure that the his- Unfortunately, the question of worth must The Similkameen Parks Society torical aspects of a couple of parks will be become attached to all our deeds. That is sponsored the plant survey and will be also explained and celebrated through informa- one of the reasons why many conservation- sponsoring work to be done on snakes and tional signage. The 19th century Fur Brigade oriented people have questioned the politi- invertebrates to be done at the same site in the Trail will be advertised, recalled and explained cal and economic philosophy of our time, fall of 2010. The two surveys will be used as to locals and tourists alike through the use of and asked whether it is committed to the part of the research for a report from the B.C. researched and documented information and long-term success of the race or only to Ministry of the Environment documenting vignettes on the sturdy signs. The society is expediency. the plant and wildlife ‘values’ of the Oliver proud to have assisted with getting the project Mountain area. Your contributions have off to a start and hope for many more agencies We are so busy pursuing the illusion of accom- assisted with this valuable work that assists to take part so that the history of our region plishment that we fail to see ourselves in the with the sustainability and conservation of can be appreciated along with the natural world of nature. The symbols we substitute our natural region. flora and fauna. for more honest ones are measured in mean- ingless digits called dollars. By the number The input of the society has been sought Special Thanks of these we can stack alongside ourselves, we with regard to bicycle and roller-blade paths We are of course always grateful to the con- measure our worth. The choice of the dollar with the construction of new highways. Our tributors to the Okanagan Similkameen Parks as a measure of our value as humans, rather ‘expertise’ in and commitment to such paths Society. Sometimes these contributors are than a symbol of nobler merit is unfortunate; have led to the consultation with regard to members and sometimes they are not. This and perhaps depicts the yet primitive nature the highway work south of Oliver. In the fall we would like to recognize the contribu- of the human beast. Dollars in the bank or tion to the society from Allegra Penticton, bones in the cave are valued because the the printers of this newsletter. The society mind must measure in concrete terms and acknowledges the layout, printing and admin- seems incapable of abstraction. It easily fol- istrative services that Allegra has provided lows that a dead grizzly bear represents x to us at discounted rates. They have not just number of dollars spent in its chase, while had a business relationship with us but truly a live one has incalculable value because it they have assisted in bringing the message of is harder for statisticians to pin down cash conservation, protection and sustainability to value in an aesthetic framework. our quest to provide parks for our grandchil- drens’ grandchildren in the southern interior Unlike those who believe that freedom is license of . to turn all ends to their own gain, a conserva- Currants in our National Parks tion ethic involves sacrifice of present gain for future good. It involves a restriction of freedom. Please used the enclosed membership form on the back page to help us carry out our mission. Continued on page 2…

OSPS Newsletter www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca Fall 2010 • 1 Harold King, OSPS President Elton Anderson Award

arold has lived in the South Okanagan BC Nature spring and fall general for 80 years, during which time he meetings where his contributions has made knowledge and protection have guided a strong course for natu- Hof nature a way of life. He has willingly passed ralists. Harold has contributed his on his knowledge to others. expertise on many issues, both at meetings and through email discus- Harold has been a member of the Oliver- sions on conservation matters, where Osoyoos Naturalist Club since 1978, serving his unique CAPITALIZED words in various capacities as director, vice president, certainly add emphasis! Harold was president and corresponding secretary. He a member of BC Nature’s subcom- was awarded a FBCN club service award in mittee on the future direction of 2000 and since that time has continued his the foundation and was a big help tireless work on behalf of our environment. in keeping the foundation on track with its teer warden of Haynes Lease Ecological Reserve Harold and his late wife Joan coordinated the original purpose. since 1980, an environmental representative on Christmas Bird Count for more than 10 years the West Kootenay Power Committee form and Harold still provides homemade soup for Harold served as BC Nature’s rep at transmission lines and a director and inter- the after-count feast. He has also found time to the Okanagan Shuswap Land Resource pretive guide for the Osoyoos Desert Society. run the family orchard and is an active member Management Plan as well as the follow-up Harold has also been involved with the Smart of his church and community. Harold credits monitoring committee and has done so for the Growth Community planning movement, with Joan with providing the support that has made past 13 years. As such, he has taken an active scouting and with a restoration oxbow project his conservation work possible. role in hundreds of hours of meetings. near Road 22 on the Okanagan River.

From the BC Nature perspective, Harold Along with furthering the aims of BC Nature, Harold exemplifies a profound degree of has served as board director for more than Harold has been active in many organizations dedication, devotion and energy worthy of 20 years. In that capacity, he has faithfully including acting as director of the Okanagan this award. attended regional meetings and also the Similkameen Parks society for 20 years, a volun- BCNature – Summer 2010

… continued from front page will be the shout. How can we exist if we don’t mink, the heath hen, the Labrador duck and continue the upward trend of the GNP? other species will never be seen again alive on It involves recognition of the fact that the accu- Earth. Sadly enough, North America has lost mulation of wealth at the expense of ravaging the The answer ...better that the market collapse more species in the last 100 years than Europe Earth is not justifiable. However, soothsayers of but the world still be able to exist. Better has in the last one thousand years. the modern age will have their way. They will that the trees continue to grow on the slopes avoid truth by citing half truths. The wrecking than that money stack up in the vaults of the Yes, it has also been suggested that another of some portion of the Earth for monetary gain already wealthy. Better that the birds return species be added to the list of endangered or political capital will be smoothed over with with the spring and that the people be poor animals – this one is a bit more personal – for neat packets of figures indicating how many than the Earth be saturated with pollutants it is us – the species Homo sapiens. people will be employed, how much a region and the people be dead! Better that we live a will increase its net worth, or how much it will life of principle than that the rivers be great Do we need a conservation ethic? – only as increase its tourist potential. The only answer to sewers. Better that we enjoy the awesome we need life. It’s Your World! this kind of oratorical banditry is the adoption wonders of nature than proving that we know of a binding ethic – that immediate gain will how to produce and export, while we wear Bob Harrington lives at Galena Bay, B.C. His not be justifiable when long range ecological gas masks in the smog. latest book: Testimony for Earth and a new damage may occur. edition of The Soul Solution with a foreword In North America’s relatively short history of by Dr. David Suzuki are now available at www. “Heresy!” will be the cry in the market place. settlement, many species of living things have hancockhouse.com or telephone 250.369.2281 Stupidly idealistic, the destroyers will chant. passed over the Great Divide and are now for autographed copies $23.pp The canned answers are all available to be forever gone from the Earth. The passenger opened and thrown at anyone who proposes pigeons will no longer bow the branches North of 50° Local Latitude, Global Attitude that something less than an ideal situation beneath the weight of their flocks. The great – July 2010 vol 8, issue 7 exists. “Look at the Gross National Product” auk, the Carolina paroquet, the giant sea

2 • Fall 2010 www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca OSPS Newsletter Group Renews Push for National Park by Jorden Dixon, Penticton Western News – June 9, 2010 Seven years ago the idea of a national park over one-third of them on British Columbia’s Depending on who you are talking to, the in the South Okanagan surfaced, and the tug threatened and endangered lists. criteria of a positive decision surrounding of war between supporters and opponents the conflict has its differences. continues as they use the federal government “It’s the most deserving place for a national as their rope. park,” biologist Dick Cannings said. “It has “As far as we are concerned it’s a dead this combination of diversity, richness and issue,” said Greg Norton of the Grassland Recently a poll that was organized by the rarity, it’s very sensitive habitat. These grass- Park Review Coalition. “We’re just waiting Western Canada Wilderness Committee, and lands especially, it’s just spectacular.” for Parks Canada to wake up and kill the conducted by McAllister Opinion Research thing.” showed no major revolts to the idea of the The area also has a rich heritage when it national park. Of the random 405 South comes to the people who have inhabited The proposed park area encompasses some Okanagan-Similkameen residents surveyed, the area over the years and used the landscape already protected areas under the Land 63 per cent said they were in favour of pro- to make a living. Ranching, mining, agricul- Resource Management Plan, which Norton tecting a portion of the South Okanagan- ture, logging, the fur trade and First Nations feels is more than adequate, and anything fur- Similkameen through a national park. have all contributed to the area’s legacy, and ther will just hinder business and recreation it seems the battle between those at either opportunities. A total of 95 per cent of those polled also end of the rope has come down to whether said it’s important to protect the ecosystem or not to preserve its story or continue to let “What the LRMP manage to do is reflect the in the South Okanagan, and put it above it write itself. community activities both historically and the economy in issues that are of concern for the future,” Norton said. “Parks Canada is in the region. “If we don’t protect it, in 20 years we are going just straight exclusion, and the vast majority to wake up and say ‘oh my God, why didn’t of us will be thrown out.” The proposed park area, running south from we do the right thing,” said Gwen Barlee, Oliver and west to Keremeos and beyond, is Wilderness Committee policy director. “It’s Co-ordinator for the South Okanagan- Canada’s only “pocket desert” and is said to be frustrating because you keep hoping that in Similkameen National Park Network Doreen the home of birds, mammals and plants that the next six months the federal government can be found nowhere else in Canada, with is going to make a positive decision.” Continued on page 5…

Meadowlark More Popular Than Ever by Steve Kidd, Penticton Western News – May 26, 2010 fter 13 years of operation, you might Naramata property available to the festival Dunford said word continues to spread about think the Meadowlark Festival had for the last three years as a lunch stopover on the South Okanagan celebration, which reached its peak, but if you look at one of the birding tours after naturalist Dick offered 85 events over five days this year. Athe success of this year’s festival, it appears Cannings asked her to join in. it’s still growing. People are still recommending the festival to “The awareness of this history and the wildlife friends and family and even farther a field, she “We’ve still go to evaluate – the festival only here combined with Dick’s expertise just said, with people even flying in from Mexico finished yesterday – but early signs are that makes it a great time,” she said, adding that and other countries to take part. ticket sales are up from last year, which is fan- she believes in the goals of the OSCA. “It’s tastic,” said Antia Dunford, the Meadowlark important to keep this space natural, as you “It is one of our key objectives is to increase its Festival Coordinator for the Okanagan can see by looking at our property.” popularity outside the area as well, which in Similkameen Conservation Alliance. turn will help tourism and the local economy Without volunteers like Kitson, the tour guides, by bringing in more visitors,” she said, emp- “I think there is potential for the festival to sponsors and other contributors, Dunford hazing that they are working hard to promote grow even further, it’s certainly not losing any added, the festival couldn’t happen. awareness of the festival across Canada. momentum in terms of its popularity from the people that want to visit,” she continued. The Meadowlark Festival is held each May, “The word is still spreading and the festival with the money raised through the annual fes- is looking like it’s going to grow, which is Dunford said support from the community tival helping OSCA continue with its environ- fantastic for the area.” is an essential factor in the festival’s suc- mental education and outreach programs. cess. Margaret Kitson has been making her

OSPS Newsletter www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca Fall 2010 • 3 OKANAGAN SIMILKAMEEN PARKS SOCIETY DIRECTORS Words of Advice: Three of my favourite the South Okanagan. Mary Trainer words are “Someday is here.” They remind Wishes for the Society: To continue me that time goes by quickly, and to act now - Director to have a reputation for leading interested on what’s important, rather than waiting for Summerland, B.C. parties in establishing protected land areas some vague time in the future or for someone [email protected] and encouraging the use of the wonders else to act on my behalf. of B.C. Background: I have been an OSPS mem- ber for more than 10 years, and am enthu- siastic about my new position as a director. I have a deep love of the Okanagan and John Bremmer Michael Similkameen Valleys. Born and raised in - Director Meheriuk - Summerland, I returned here after a career South Okanagan in communications at SFU and later at Director Oliver, B.C. the Greater Vancouver Regional District, Summerland, B.C. where I worked in the Parks and Corporate Communications Departments. I was for- Background: John has been involved in Background: Michael was a researcher tunate to have worked for an organization the B.C. Wine industry in the Okanagan Valley for Agriculture Canada at Summerland for that valued preserving parkland, and over in many different capacities since 1966. He 30 years. He is now happily retired. a 20-year period saw firsthand how board was winemaker, production manager and members, staff, the public and various lev- general manager for Andres Wines over 12 Area of Interest: Michael is concerned els of government could work together to years, a viticulture consultant for St.Michelle with historical structures and wetlands. acquire and manage significant amounts of Wines for 2 years and production manager for Wishes for the Society: That The land – which today is a magnificent system Brights Wines for 10 years. He has served on Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society can of regional parks in the Lower Mainland. the viticulture committee for the Association continue the work done so far. of Grape Growers and was a technical advi- I am also a big fan of B.C. history and have sor for wine research to the Summerland written Slumach’s Gold (with co-authors Research Station. John presently owns and Rick Antonson and Brian Antonson; Heritage operates a 2 hectare vineyard in Oliver and House 2007) and The Edge of the Centre is a partner with Lynn Bremmer in Mount Ian Graham - (history of Naramata Centre) published by Kobau Wine Services supplying field sam- Wood Lake Books in 2009. I continue to pling, teaching and viticultural services to Director work as a consultant and volunteer for several the B.C. Wine industry. Summerland, B.C. organizations. [email protected] John has a degree in Agriculture Science Area Of Interest: I’m supporting the from UBC and a Pesticide Applicators OSPS by using my communications skills License as well as numerous courses in Background: My wife Donna and I have to revitalize the society’s website. The soci- viticulture and wine production. He has been OSPS members for the past decade and ety’s significant accomplishments over its traveled extensively touring wine areas of a half. At the last annual general meeting of 40+ year history, ongoing projects, dedi- Germany, France, Argentina, Chile, California the society I let my name stand for election cated members and dedication to preserving and and aiding wine businesses parkland in the Okanagan and Similkameen as a director and was fortunate enough to in Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Armenia, be trusted with a position on the board of Valleys require an enhanced presence on Serbia and the Caribbean. the Internet. directors. Born and raised in B.C.’s lower VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS: mainland my career as an educator has taken My other areas of interest are supporting the proposed national park, preserving and - Past President of Oliver Rotary Club me to many areas of the province including promoting historical and recreational lands, the North Coast, the Chilcotin Plateau, Fort - Past President of International Bicycling and setting aside trails for walking and biking Nelson and, for the past nineteen years, the & Hiking Society between municipalities. Okanagan Valley. - Director for Okanagan/Similkameen Parks Wishes for the Society: I hope that Society With an education degree from S.F.U. and an an invigorated website will help to attract MEd. From U.B.C. I earned my Professional increased awareness about the society and - Member of South Okanagan-Trail Corridor teaching certificate and was a teacher or a potential new members, especially younger B.C. government consultative committee public school administrator for 33 years prior people in the Okanagan who are enrolled in to retiring a year ago. Today I continue to - Past director for Oliver Recreation environmental/land use planning courses. work as an educator, instructing part time Commission We look forward to hearing their perspectives at Okanagan College. and welcome their involvement! Area of Interest: Development of walking CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE… and bicycle paths between communities in

4 • Fall 2010 www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca OSPS Newsletter …CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE I have lived and worked in many areas of Forest-protection Agency Set Up the province and have a deep respect and Penticton Herald – May 23, 2010 appreciation of the natural world. My belief is that we need to examine the relationship Oslo, Norway (AP) A political agreement brokered by President that we, and future generations, have, or will multinational deforestation confer- Barack Obama at the last U.N. climate sum- have, with the ecosystem. Whether living ence will set up an agency Thursday mit in December in Copenhagan, Denmark, through the Pine Beetles’ first infestation to monitor aid for helping poor called for warming to be kept below that around Riske Creek in the early 1980’s or Anations protect their forests – a major move 2-degree mark. But the Copenhagen confer- interacting with the trappers in the northern delegates hope will build momentum for ence disappointed many in failing to produce fringe of the province later in that decade, progress at U.N. climate talks this year in a legally binding deal for countries to limit or worrying about interface fires and water Mexico. emissions. quality here in the Okanagan, I have seen the natural catastrophes. I feel it is up to us to The program – called REDD Plus, for Deforestation, from logging, crop-growing broadcast the need for humans to stop and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and and cattle grazing, is thought to account for consider their role in the relationship with Degradation – will encourage rich nations to up to 20 per cent of carbon dioxide released nature. This is another educational challenge voluntarily finance forest-protecting projects into the atmosphere – as much as is emitted that I am ready to take part in. while co-ordinating that aid to avoid waste by all the world’s cars, trucks, trains, planes Area Of Interest: Since joining the and ensure transparency. and ships combined. OSPS board I have been assisting with the editing of the Newsletter. We hope to use “Forest are worth more dead than alive. Success in setting up a n agency to moni- the newsletter to keep you up to date with Today we commit to change that equation,” tor forest-protection programs could help issues and occurrences that are related to Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg encourage progress at the next U.N. climate our mandate in the southern interior region said in opening the Oslo conference, summit at the end of the year in Cancun, of British Columbia. I am most gracious to attended leaders and representatives from Mexico, by creating good will and co-oper- Sheila White, who edited the newsletter 52 countries. ation between rich and poor nations, Oslo for many years, for all of the patience that conference delegates said. she has shown while I get up to speed with By curbing deforestation, Stoltenberg said the job. the world can achieve the “largest, fastest Thursday’s meeting was the last on REDD Wishes for the Society: I hope that we and cheapest cuts in global emissions” of Plus planned before Cancun, with work can continue with the stellar work that has greenhouse gases thought to be causing the now starting on establishing the agency’s been done by the society over the past 40 Earth’s average temperatures to rise. infrastructure. years or so. We need to honour the past, work in the present and dream about the future Protecting the forests could account for one- The agency should foster transparency that will of our parks, be they municipal, regional, third of emissions cuts needed to keep tem- “decrease a trust deficit” that has stymied prog- provincial or federal. Parks are something peratures from rising more than 2 degrees ress in wider climate talks, as wealthy countries that we can all share. Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial express concern about how aid money is used in Words of Advice: Find your passion and levels by 2020 – which scientist say could poor nations, said Indonesia’s President Susilo become active. It does as much for you as trigger a climate catastrophe. Bambang Yudhoyono, who is co-chairing the it does for the Cause. summit with Stoltenberg.

…continued from page 3 recreation are activities that would come to an “It’s one of the most endangered ecosystems in Olson said there has been a lot of misinfor- end if the national park is formed. all of Canada,” she added. “And we think (the mation surrounding the park. federal government) has all the information However, access and most self-propelled they need to announce they are moving for- “Those who are opposed are admittedly activities would be allowed under the rule of ward to the next step of park establishment.” opposed, and they come with their reasons,” a national park. Horseback riding, backpack- Olson said. “Some of them are valid and ing, fishing, biking, swimming and boating In order to reduce mailing costs, some of them are just outrageous because are some of the activities that are encouraged they aren’t the facts.” within park boundaries. the Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society would like to send the With the creation of a national park in the South “I think some people think the land is going newsletter by e-mail. If you have Okanagan some things that go on in the area to get expropriated or everything is going now would have to be limited or eliminated. to be taken away,” said Chloe O’Loughlin, an e-mail address, please contact Livestock grazing would have to be reduced in executive director of Canadian Parks and Michael Meheriuk at this address; order to meet objectives for ecological integrity, Wilderness Society’s B.C. chapter. “But that’s [email protected] and hunting, mining and off-road motorized not true at all.”

OSPS Newsletter www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca Fall 2010 • 5 BC Parks A Jewel in the Crown, Albeit Somewhat Chipped by Maggie Paquet . I enjoyed tiny peaceful oases chain of lakes, river, creeks, and portages in no larger than a few picnic tables and a fire Bowron Lake Park are sedimentary rocks that y introduction to BC Parks came grate, such as Memory Island in the middle contain fossil trilobites and primitive corals. about one sweltering summer of Shawnigan Lake. I wandered through parks afternoon about 35 years ago. that celebrate settlement history, such as Fort What all this says is that British Columbia, MActing on a rumour, I drove to the camp- Steele in the East Kootenay, and Cottonwood as a jurisdiction, has one of the largest and, ground at Goldstream Provincial Park. River and Barkerville in the Cariboo. I mar- along with ecological reserves, most ecologi- Getting directions from park staff, I hiked velled at magnificent waterfalls, such as the cally varied park systems in the world. It is up a trail to an innocent-looking side branch 137-metre-high Helmcken Falls in wells Gray, definitely something of which we can all be and went carefully down the steep slope to and danced in the spray on the big rocks over very proud. But, like liberty, the price of all the river. Amazement greeted me! A waterfall which the Bijoux Falls tumble in the Pine this grandeur and diversity is eternal vigilance plunged into a deep green bowl lined with Pass northeast of Prince George. I fished for (and we’re lucky to have a lot of “park patri- shrubs, flowers, and ferns, and towered over steelhead (and caught one!) along the banks ots” in our province). Before I get into that by huge Douglas-firs and red cedars. The of the Quinsam River in the campground topic, however, let’s have a brief history of water was cold and sublimely refreshing. park of Elk Falls park near Campbell River. how we got this still great park systems. There were a few people there, but it was Eventually, I even made it into tow spectacular peaceful. I went back to the swimming hole wilderness parks: the Stikine river RA (now BC PARKS HISTORY on hot days throughout that summer and the a class A park) in BC’s rugged and remote There have been three primary waves of incen- next. I explored the rest of that remarkable northwest, and Strathcona – BC’s very first tives to establish BC’s parks. The earliest was park on Victoria’s doorstep, including attend- provincial park – in the north-central part of to provide mountain wilderness parks largely Vancouver Island.

Years later, while researching my books on BC Parks, I discovered even more about provincial parks that convinced me we had something special. For example:

• The massive Lloyd George Icefield in the heart of Kwadacha, southwest of Fort Nelson and east of the Rocky Mountain Trench, is the largest icefield in the Rockies north of Elkhart Lake the 54th parallel. Campsite clearcut at Elkhart Lake ing some of the evening ‘naturalist talks’ in • Spatsizi and the newer Muskwa-Kechika visited by adventurers and wealthy tourist with the park’s amphitheatre. I did some research area parks protect habitat for Stone’s sheep, time and money to spare. Concurrent with com- on its history. I wanted to know how and why nearly all of th world’s population of which mercial tourism promotion was an expansionist this precious place came to be dedicated to occur in northern BC. desire by governments to entice settlers into the public. Ultimately, I was inspired to look new areas. To facilitate this, national and pro- into this BC Parks thing.” •Volcanics are a major feature of some vincial governments ceded long tracts of Crown parks, including Wells Gray, Mt. Edziza, Mt. lands to accommodate building railroads. What I learned motivated me to go explor- Seymour, and Garibaldi. ing around the province at every opportu- In BC, the first park was Strathcona and the nity. Over the years, I visited other family • Khutzeymateen is Canada’s only grizzly railway was the E & N. On March 1st 1911, camping parks – Alice Lake near Squamish, bear sanctuary and is home to about 50 Strathcona Provincial Park was legislated with Cultus Lake near Chilliwack, Wasa Lake grizzlies. passage of the Strathcone Park Act. While near Cranbrook, Charlie Lake near Fort the original Act clearly intended to protect St. John, and Lakelse Lake near Terrace. I • Liard River Hot Springs are ranked in the the park from mining, logging, and similar combed incredible ocean beach parks, such top five of all North America hot springs. industrial development, both mining claims as Rathtrevor near Parksville, and French and timber holdings had been granted prior Beach west of Sooke. I went to parks that • Strathcona Park contains the 440m Della to the park’s establishment, and existing rights offered both front country camping and Falls, Canada’s highest and one of the ten and interests were exempted from the Act. In incredible back country experiences, such highest falls in the world. 1918, the Act was amended to open the park as Manning, off Hwy 3 past Hope and Golden to the “location, acquisition and occupation Ears, in the Coast Mountains north of the • Inside the 116-km parallelogram-shaped of mineral claims under the Mineral Act.”

6 • Fall 2010 www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca OSPS Newsletter And so it began – from the very earliest days of provided a detailed classification of provincial management guidelines. our provincial parks system – this seesaw behav- parks, management guidelines, and increased iour of government, shifting back and forth from protection, including restrictions on land uses There were some highly controversial goings protecting lands for recreation and conservation and resource extraction. Conservation, while on during these times, including confronta- on one hand, to allowing – encouraging even a partial rationale for a few earlier parks, was tions with logging and mining interests, such – industrial uses on the other. becoming an important reason for many of as what occurred in Clayoquot Sound, which the newer parks. resulted in the largest mass arrests in BC his- Strathcona was soon followed in 1913, when tory. Nonetheless, these very public processes BC’s second park was established with the Setting aside large areas for conservation and to resulted in significant additions to the parks Mount Robson Park Act. Both Strathcona manage parks for ecological integrity and wil- system, such as Vahalla, Akamina-Kishinena, and Mt. Robson were adjacent to railway land derness preservation was becoming an impor- Kakwa, Carmanah-Walbran, Tatshenshini- grants. Mt Assiniboine in the Rockies and tant goal, both for the public and BC Parks Alsek, Stikine River. These were followed in Kokanee Glacier in the Selkirks were both managers, and represents the third wave. the next decade by large protected areas, often established in 1922, and Garibaldi in 1927. By co-managed with First Nations, like those in 1930, 13 provincial parks had been created, and Parks were starting to be seen as something the Muskwa-Kechika and the Khutzeymateen at least another 50 areas had been reserved “for other than simply places for the public to Grizzly Bear Sanctuary. the pleasure and recreation of the public”. visit for sport and refreshment, or places to take the kids so they could blow off steam The reality of First Nations aboriginal and Not all early parks catered to wilderness and maybe learn something about “nature.” territorial rights and ongoing treaty negotia- enthusiasts. John Dean Park on Mt. Newton Rather, parks were beginning to be recog- tions asserted itself into the designation and in Central Saanich was established in 1921 as nized as sanctuaries for biological diversity, management of new and existing parks and a day use park and to protect a small bit of old- as gene pools, as sources for pure water, as conservancies. The Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal growth Douglas-fir and Garry oak-wildflower places of beauty in their own right, and as council and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation meadow. Unlike previous parks, this was the declared Meares Island in clayoquot Sound first donation of private land for the specific to be a Tribal Park. In the Stein Valley, the purpose of park designation. Lytton and Mt. Currie First Nations put the BC government on notice that there would Up until the Depression, parks were added be no industrial activity and no compro- and managed haphazardly. A forest Service mises in the Stein. Many of the newer pro- public works program was created in 1929. tected areas and conservancies, including For nearly the next three decades, parks were the stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage, the responsibility of the Forest Service. In Ts’il-os, and Anhluut’ukwsim Laxmihl 1957, the Department of Recreation and Angwinga’asanskwhl Nisga’a (Memorial Lava Conservation was created, including an inde- Bed), as well as the Great Bear Rainforest, pendent Parks Branch. A philosophy of estab- Elkhart Lake campsite have come into being as a direct result of lishing, operating, and managing provincial negotiations with First Nations communities parks became more clearly defined. a source for something intangible that is for co-management and other opportunities, increasingly required, but equally increas- as well as protections for traditional liveli- The next wave peaked in the 1950s and ‘60s. ingly difficult t obtain, in our crowded and hoods and values. This was a time of road-building to meet cluttered lives: solitude, spiritual renewal. the greater mobility of post-war peregrina- During the 1970s, large remote wilderness Information about endangered spaces and tions; matching it was a major expansion parks were established, including Cape Scott, endangered species was hitting the news on of the provincial park system. Destination Naikoon, Spatsizi Wilderness, Mt. Edziza, a regular basis. Climate change, and its effects campground parks to serve the newly mobile Purcell Wilderness, and Desolation sound. on future conditions both in and out of parks, middle and working classes cropped up along was also becoming a concern. equally newly built roads all across the prov- Throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, a number of ince. These parks featured family-oriented public consultation processes took place over The Park Amendment Act 1995 increased the campgrounds, expanded facilities, such as nearly every corner of the province, includ- total minimum area of the province to be des- picnic tables, potable water, outhouses (even ing the Wilderness Advisory Committee, ignated as protected park land form 2,550,000 showers and flush toilets in some), fire grates Protected Areas Strategy, Commission on hectares to 7,3000,000 hectares, which was to and the provision of firewood, and – what Resources and Environment, and numerous be further increased to 10,000,000 hectares became hugely popular – BC Parks’ famous Land and Resource Management Planning by January 1, 2000. As of 2010, BC had 989 interpretation programmes. The big parks (LRMP) processes. One of the most impor- parks and protected areas in over 13 million had wardens and on-site staff to assist visi- tant recommendations of the Wilderness hectares, accounting for over 14% of British tors...oh, and collect camping fees. Advisory Committee was its advice to gov- Columbia’s land base. ernment stressing the need for a clear and A revised Park Act was passed in 1965. It consistent wilderness policy with explicit Continued on next page…

OSPS Newsletter www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca Fall 2010 • 7 …continued from previous page

DISTURBING TRENDS & CONDITIONS Okanagan While all these additions were generally welcomed by the public, we shouldn’t fall Trail into the trap of confusing quantity for qual- ity. While public consultations had helped Ravine Edge, Near Vernon establish better rationales for parks and park boundaries, and added many important areas nstead of climbing up for a view, to the system, I think most would agree that this easy (but lengthy) eight kilo- the quality of management and programmes • removal of over 1,000 ha from Graham- Imetre loop will have you perched has declined in recent years. Many of the new Laurier Park in the Muskwa-Kechika on a rim overlooking Kalamalka Lake, parks (and a lot of older ones) do not have Management Area to allow for 11 kms of a Vernon and the Coldstream Valley. management plans. There have been severe road or pipeline through the park; From Vernon, drive east on Highway cutbacks in both office and field staff through- 6, over the railway tracks and past out the system. One of the biggest losses in • legislative changes to allow for resort devel- Coldstream Ranch to King Edward the “institutional memory” of many of the opment and directional drilling for oil and Lake forest service road. Turn right. former public servants who ensured the high gas immediately adjacent to parks; An active route, watch for logging standards BC Parks was once famous for. trucks, ATV’s and dirt bikes. Continue • reduction of 20% of South Chilcotin on this well maintained gravel and As BC Parks entered the new millennium, it Mountains (Spruce Lake) park to allow for road keeping right at about the was becoming apparent that the comparatively mining and tourism in the areas removed; four and eight kilometre junctions. rational days of yesteryear had morphed into Around the nine-kilometre mark turn the days of nickel-and-diming every aspect of • removal (allegedly temporary) of lands right and proceed over a small creek park creation and management, including the in Mt. Robson park to run an oil pipeline (trailhead) and park in the clearing unpopular move to increase the size of parking through it; down the road. The trail, which is lots at the expense of park lands and install marked and maintained by the Vernon parking meters in a number of parks. • the massive number of IPPs and “run-of- Outdoors Club, follows a ravine and river” projects that will affect conditions starts with views of Coldstream Valley Gone are the days of widespread public con- inside parks and fish and wildlife outside and Silver Star Mountain to the north. sultations on park establishment. Gone are parks. At the clear-cut take the right fork adequate numbers of park wardens to assist down the embankment and continue visitors and protect park resources. Gone too TIME TO RE-ORGANIZE & along the edge. Yes, you’re going to are the outstanding naturalist programmes, RE-FOCUS? have to climb later, but the views are which provided an important public edu- Environmental groups like Canadian Parks worth the effort. In spring, wildflower cation service not available anywhere else. and Wilderness Society, The sierra Club, and addicts will want to keep a watch out Contracting out most park services – and the Western Canada Wilderness Committee for shooting star, Indian paintbrush, stretching them beyond effectiveness – has have remained focused on issues to do with blue clematis, fairy slipper orchid and not resulted in an improved level of service parks, but likely the rest of us haven’t; not even chocolate lily. The trail leads to a to the public. so much, anyway. It may be time to have a lovely rest spot overlooking Kalamalka close look at BC Parks to see what’s needed Lake and beyond – so don’t forget A highly disturbing trend has been changing to ensure the system can deliver the promise your camera. You’ll want to fuel up parks and protected areas legislation over that many of us felt 20-30 years ago. Maybe it here because further along the trail established areas to remove land a re-draw has been a case of “out of sight, out of mind” becomes steep. Once you hit the old boundaries to allow for industrial uses, often for much of the public that has allowed some logging road you have a choice. Make with little or no public consultation. Many of the reversals in recent years. It’s never wise a scenic detour (two rights) to the old hard-fought battles involving all sectors of to take anything for granted. The time may hang-glider take-off ramp or turn left society over many years, such as through be ripe for “parks patriots” to regroup. and keep an eye out for the mountain LRMP processes, have been turned around bike trail on your right, which will with no recourse and little respect for the Maggie Paquet, biologist, writer, and editor, lead you back to the clear-cut and previous work. The effects of increased roads, is the author of Parks of British Columbia the trailhead. Allow four hours for pipelines, and transmission lines on wildlife & the Yukon, The BC Parks Explorer, and this one. Hiking boots a must. Poles and habitats to allow for industrial develop- numerous articles about wilderness, parks will come in handy. ments in and adjacent to protected areas and the BC environment. Karen Slivar are a major concern. Just a few examples of Okanagan Life June 2010 this include: Watershed Sentinel – Summer 2010

8 • Fall 2010 www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca OSPS Newsletter Wood v. Water by Chief Fabian Alexis, Okanagan Indian Band

he Okanagan Nation has blocked a supplies for indigenous communities. major logging road. Why? It’s not just a matter of asserting our Aboriginal With the forestry company Tolko about to TTitle and Rights, although that is certainly start logging, the Okanagan Indian Band set part of it. It’s because Tolko intends to log up an information picket on Westside Road, the watershed that supplies the majority of a paved road which runs through our reserve. Wildflowers in the Okanagan the 1,800 residents of the Okanagan Indian High up in the hills we have also established Band with our drinking water. a camp and full blockade of a logging road elsewhere and wither be compensated in dol- near Bouleau Lake. lars or in wood by the Government of British You would think in this day and age in Canada Columbia for the loss of what amounts to that the protection of drinking water would As Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band, I about a three-day supply of fibre for their be well established. Up until 1962 it was. have spent many days and nights both at mill in Armstrong. But back in the early 1960s, the province of the information picket line and up at the British Columbia decided to open up many blockade site, as have many of our band Tolko is not the enemy in this situation, gov- of these protected watersheds to commercial members. The Okanagan Nation Alliance, ernment mismanagement and indifference logging. the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is. The only thing that will change that is if and the Assembly of First Nations have been the politicians in Ottawa and Victoria see Of course most municipalities quickly moved very supportive of our efforts along with the that there are actually enough people who to protect their drinking water supplies. But Western Canada Wilderness Committee and care about the issue of safe drinking water despite its fiduciary obligation to those citi- the B.C. Tap Water Alliance. to make them resolve this conflict. zens it placed on reserves, Canada did abso- lutely nothing to protect the drinking water The solution is obvious, Tolko should go log Water Canada – May/June 2010

Eating Our Way Saying No to Genetically-Engineered Alfalfa by Joyce Nelson export markets in 28 countries. They are also Back to the Future: having to pay for costly testing and cleanup. Low Greenhouse Gas Agriculture pponents of genetically-engineered (GE) crops and foods are urging Lucy Sharratt, Co-ordinator of the Canadian by Joyce Nelson Canadians to oppose the introduc- Biotechnology Action Network (www.cban. Otion of GE alfalfa. The Harper government ca) is urging Canadian citizens to voice their eak oil may soon give us peak has already approved Monsanto’s GE alfalfa, support for Bill C-474, a private mem- food. As we run out of fossil but Monsanto has not yet applied for “variety ber’s bill introduced in Parliament by Alex Pfuels, food will get increasingly registration” – the next step before the crop can Atamanenko, the NDP Agriculture Critic expensive not only to produce, but to be commercially grown in Canada. and MP for BC’s Southern Interior. The Bill import and export. Changes to this would require “an analysis of potential harm system can also be good news, how- Patrick Connor, a Toronto member of the Non- to export markets be conducted before the ever, since globally, agriculture and GMO Project, told me, “If genetically-modified sale of any new genetically engineered seed our industrial food system account for alfalfa is introduced into Canada, it would deci- is permitted” in Canada. almost one-third of all greenhouse- mate organic farmers” by easily contaminating gas (GHG) emissions that contribute their alfalfa crops. Alfalfa is widely used as a Bill C-474 passed second reading in the to climate change. Changing how we cover crop and as a high protein livestock feed. House of Commons on April 15 and moved farm our food can literally change the If their alfalfa is contaminated by GE seeds, to committee for further study, especially fate of the world. organic farmers could lose their markets for throughout June. This is the first time a bill organic meats and dairy. to change the rules on GMOs has passed Switching to organic farming methods second reading. Sharratt says “We can’t allow can reduce carbon dioxide emissions Flax farmers in Canada are now paying a heavy Monsanto’s GE seeds to destroy the liveli- from soil by up to 92%. price because of GE contamination. Late last hoods of farmers and jeopardize the future year, Canadian flax exports were discovered of organic farming.” Watershed Sentinel – Summer 2010 to be contaminated with a GE flax that is not approved in Europe, and farmers lost their Watershed Sentinel – Summer 2010

OSPS Newsletter www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca Fall 2010 • 9 MEMBERSHIP FORM Okanagan Similkameen Parks Society • Box 787, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0

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Donation: ______(Income Tax Deductible) I wish to receive the OSPS newsletter by email ! Kettle River and “Sacred Okanagan Odyssey: Public Opinion Survey shows South Okanagan Headwaters” jointly top Journeys through BC’s Most Endangered Similkameen residents Rivers List for 2010 Terrain, Terroir & in favour of establishing Need for water policy reform Culture a National Park. and protection of northern Rocky Mountain Books, Calgary wen Barlee of The Wilderness rivers highlighted A new book by Don Gayton Committee (FORMERLY Western (Copy by Friend of the Stikine Society) Canada Wilderness Committee), was South Okanagan-Simillkameen Gin Penticton June 3 coordinating a tour, for local Wednesday, March 24, 2010 Conservation Program Newsletter and provincial media, of the proposed South – June 2010 he Kettle River and a remote north- Okanagan – Lower Similkameen National ern area widely known as the “sacred Park. WC announced the results of a telephone “Okanagan Odyssey is a quirky and headwaters” have tied for top spot on poll of 405 residents in the South Okanagan TBritish Columbia’s most endangered rivers lyrical examination of BC’s Okanagan and Similkameen on establishing a national park. 63% of those polled were in favour of list for 2010. Valley. Sticking to the backroads and the park while 26% were opposed. A further byways, Gayton gently pokes and prods The Kettle River runs through BC’s south- breakdown indicated 7% of those polled were local ecosystems, histories, vineyards ern interior near the towns of Midway, Rock very opposed, while 42% were very in favour Creek and Grand Forks. This river, already and people. The author revels in the of the park. Watch for further media coverage of the poll results and media tour. suffering from seasonal low flows and high biological and social diversity while water temperatures, is threatened by signifi- sampling local wines and fruit along cant new water extraction proposals near its South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation the way. In his unique version of wine source. Unless greater efforts are made to Program – Newsletter – June 2010 address this issue, the fate of this beautiful paring, Gayton matches up local books interior stream and its fish stocks may well and landscapes with local vintages, foreshadow what many other streams in the giving terroir a whole new meaning. region will confront in the face of ongoing Gayton deftly negotiates the tension climate change. “Most importantly, the issues unfolding on the Kettle highlight the urgency between the Okanagan that is home of updating BC’s outdated Water Act so as to to many endangered species and ensure the needs of fish and river ecosystems ecosystems, and the Okanagan that are adequately considered before making deci- is a mecca for developers and urban sions on water extraction for various industrial uses,” says Mark Angelo, Rivers Chair of the refugees. Okanagan Odyssey is not Outdoor Recreation Council and an Order a travel guide, but represents travel of Canada recipient. The province is currently writing at its idiosyncratic best.” Trout Creek seeking public input on Water Act reform.

10 • Fall 2010 www.OkanaganSimilkameenParksSociety.ca OSPS Newsletter