A new report released Monday draws attention to the importance of a South Okanagan-Similkameen national park reserve to Canada’s international conservation commitments.
The report by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), as would be expected for such a group, strongly advocates that Canada should meet its commitment to protect 17 per cent of its land and inland waters by 2020.
That commitment was made in 2010 under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and the report notes that Canada is now last among the G7 countries with only 10.6 per cent protected.
What is significant though is the importance the report gives to the proposed national park reserve on our doorstep.
Only 13 special areas are mentioned in all of Canada and our park is the only one on the list in B.C.
That’s not to say there aren’t other areas in B.C. deserving of protection, but the unique ecosystem here is singled out for special attention.
“The region is home to more threatened and rare species than anywhere else in B.C.,” says the report. “Over one third of all provincially listed species and a staggering 57 federally listed species at risk live in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. This desert ecosystem is incredibly fragile and faces enormous pressure from an expanding human footprint, made worse by the compounding effects of climate change.”
Admittedly, the size of the proposed national park reserve has been scaled back considerably over the years in efforts to appease opponents.
In terms of meeting Canada’s 17-per-cent commitment, this won’t make a huge difference.
But this is more than just about meeting an arbitrary number.
As a CPAWS representative points out, grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems on the planet and they represent a huge gap in Canada’s decades-old plan to represent each of the major ecological areas in Canada’s national parks system.
The timing is right for the federal and provincial governments to move forward on a national park reserve with the support and participation of local First Nations.
Many in the tourism industry see great opportunities for well-run, sustainable eco-tourism to raise the profile of the region as a destination.
Local governments and business groups are overwhelmingly onside.
Politically, the B.C. Liberals evolved considerably in the past few years in their attitude towards a park before losing power.
It will be hard for them to fault the new NDP government for moving forward with the process the B.C. Liberals started.
The NDP has more consistently supported a national park reserve in the South Okanagan.
Their election platform stated: “We will work with the federal government, South Okanagan communities and local First Nations to create a plan to protect the large number of endangered species in that area, as the federal government develops a new national park.”
It’s still early days in the life of the new government, which faces many urgent demands from across the province.
But given the importance of this unique and fragile ecosystem – a true national treasure – this is one commitment we expect the new provincial government to keep.
