Dear Editor,
The logging that is proposed for the Kananaskis area is of great concern to me.
Although I understand that logging is a necessity in order to keep up with our currently inexhaustible demand for material goods, as a developing environmental biologist who cares greatly about conservation and the preservation of wilderness, it disappoints me to hear that an area just outside of the protective bounds of Sheep River provincial park is proposed to be logged.
Specifically, I am concerned by the chosen logging method of clear cutting that is proposed for the majority of the logging sites. This method will expunge the hillside of every tree, leaving zero natural habitat for the biologically diverse communities of animals occupying this space.
In a world where habitat loss poses the biggest threat to all endangered and currently thriving species alike, it is difficult to comprehend that clear cutting is a practice still being carried out today.
I propose that if logging must proceed, a method of selectively cutting ‘old growth’ trees with a focus on minimal disturbance of the younger trees and other greenery should be executed. Although imperfect, this plan would leave behind a portion of the natural wildlife habitat so as not to greatly impact local animal populations, as well as it would leave the hillside in a much more attractive state which would in turn avoid damaging the thriving levels of tourist traffic that the Kananaskis country brings to our province.
Personally, I believe this is the only method which treats the earth system to which we belong with respect, while also meeting our productive needs.
Jordan Russell,
High River
