Fair’s Fair “For Book Lovers”

We writers, readers, birdwatchers . . . need our parks. SARAH CROOKS of CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, has launched a letter writing campaign to voice our needs. HERE IS THE INFORMATION. (To contact Sarah send an e-mail to me at ytrainer@fairsfair.com and I will forward the letters and info. to her. We welcome letters from throughout the world and will forward them to the appropriate government offices. And yes! Our letters are being read with positive responses from the government on both a provinical and national level in Canada, but every letter brings us closer to saving our National Parks from mining and other destruction.)

Here is an excerpt from a Nov. 23, 2007 letter, sent to me from Salpie Stepanian, Assistant to the Prime Minister of Canada.

Dear Dr. Trainer:

. . .

Please be assured that this Government recognizes the importance of preserving our environment for today’s Canadian and future generations. As you know, our August 2007 announcement allows for the protection of an additional 5,400 square kilometres of land within the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem. The initiative ensures that more of this precious land, and the unique wildlife population it sustains, will be protected.”

–Salphie Stepanian.

(While this letter demonstrates a start, what concerns me here is the word “more.” “More” [of the park] is not enough; “All” is the answer we need to hear.)

The address for all MP’s is: House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. NO STAMP NEEDED, POST TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IS FREE!

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Nahanni National Park (North West Territories, Canada) Reserve Campaign

Background:
The Greater Nahanni Ecosystem consists of the entire South Nahanni River watershed and an area known as the Nahanni Karst (that drains under the ground into the system). The total area is 39,000 sq. km. It lies in the NWT approx.1300 km north-west of Calgary.
The lower portion of the watershed was set aside as a National Park Reserve in 1972.
· However the Park includes only one-seventh of the total watershed, making the Park vulnerable to any pollution occurring upstream (from the growing pressure to exploit oil and gas, mineral and timber resources).
· The risk of accidental discharge of pollutants into the South Nahanni River is increased by the area being seismically active and prone to flashfloods.
· In addition the Park is not large enough to sustain viable populations of wide-ranging animals such as bears, caribou, Dall’s sheep and mountain goats. These must seek resources outside the Park boundaries, where they are vulnerable to organized big-game hunting.
Since 1984, Parks Canada has been on record as wanting to increase the size of the Park to enhance the ecological integrity of the Park Reserve.
· In August this year Prime Minister Stephen Harper with the agreement of the Dehcho First Nations, announced a significant expansion of the Park – see map below

Map of South Nahanni River watershed (outlined in black); yellow area is existing Nahanni Park Reserve; blue area is proposed expansion of the Park; red lines are existing roads; orange area shows proposed site of zinc, lead and silver mine. Protection of the watershed to north-west is subject to a separate agreement with the Sahtu First Nations (discussions ongoing)
Why protect this area?
a) Wildlife
· Within Canada’s system of national parks, an expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve will protect a significant and representative example of the Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region.
· The size and length of the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem allow for major differences in local climate and weather systems. Highly specialized habitats exist such as limestone Karst; mist zones of waterfalls; hot and cold mineral springs, and areas of rare, un-glaciated terrain.
· These variations result in an extremely diverse range of vegetation within the Ecosystem, with over 700 species of vascular plants and 300 species of moss and lichen.
· Over 40 different mammals are found here, many in significant numbers: an estimated 660 grizzly bears live within the watershed (about 550 of them in the newly protected region), 3 herds of woodland caribou as well as mountain goats, black bears, and Dall’s sheep;
· A total of 180 bird species have been documented, with 21% of these species remaining in the north year-round. Two lakes within the region are of particular importance to aquatic birds, one of which supports a small nesting population of rare trumpeter swans.
· Such large wilderness areas allow species the opportunity to move significant distances. In the future this may be important as habitats alter due to the effects of global warming.

b) Recreation:
· The South Nahanni River is a world-class canoeing, rafting, and kayaking river. 580 km in length it meanders through scenic mountain valleys and hurtles through deep canyons before calming and joining the Liard River at Nahanni Butte. This dramatic change in character, along with the varied and spectacular terrain that it passes through, have given the South Nahanni its international reputation as a premier wilderness river.
· Highlights include the Virginia Falls, one of North America’s greatest waterfalls with almost twice the vertical drop of Niagara Falls; and the First, Second, Third and Fourth Canyons. These are up to 19 kilometres long and 1200 metres deep, and form a major part of one of the most extensive canyon systems in the world north of 60 degrees.
· Along the river are many attractions within hiking distance. Hotsprings emerge from terraced mounds of tufa (calcium carbonate precipitate) that rise up to 27 metres high and 70 metres in diameter; caves that contain the ancient skeletons of nearly 100 Dall’s sheep; naturally occurring saltlicks that attract sheep and other animals, that in turn attract the regions large predators; areas of wind-eroded sandstone land-forms up to 6m high; and local hotspots of unusual species of plants such as rare orchids.
· Other recreational opportunities include river and lake fishing, and superb granite rock-climbing..

BUT, PROTECTION OF THE NEW AREA IS JUST TEMPORARY – THE NEW EXPANDED PARK MUST BE FORMALY DESIGNATED BEFORE IT BECOMES PERMANENTLY PROTECED.

We need to make sure the proposal is put before the cabinet for approval and the Park is formally designated, BEFORE….
· OTHER PRIORITIES TAKE OVER
· ITS GETS ‘FORGOTTEN’
· A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT OCCURS!

Please write to (or phone) members of the Federal Government to show Canadians WANT this Park. Letters can be hand-written or typed, and only need to be a paragraph or two long. Be concise, polite, and directly ask for action on the issue. You can also ask for a reply, and most of the time you will receive one. Some ideas:

· Welcome the proposed expansion of Nahanni National Park Reserve. Commend the current government’s commitment to preserving this marvelous area of great ecological interest and diversity for the enjoyment of its citizens now and in the future. The proposed Park will be the 3rd largest National Park in Canada, a legacy we can be proud to leave our children.

· Congratulate both the Federal Government and the Dehcho First Nations in advancing the vision of protecting the Nahanni for future generations. Ask when the expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve announced by the Prime Minister in Aug. 2007 will be formally designated and receive permanent protection. Request that protection of the north-west portion of the watershed is actively pursued.

· Express your satisfaction that the government recognizes the existing Nahanni National Park Reserve is inadequate as it does not protect the entire watershed, leaving the Park vulnerable to accidental upstream pollution, and is too small to sustain viable populations of many of the larger resident animals Welcome the proposed new park boundary. Say you look forward to the eventual inclusion of the entire watershed within the National Park.

· If, like many, you are concerned over the environment and the effect global warming will have on our wildlife, congratulate the government on the addition of what will be the 3rd largest National Park in Canada. Free movement of mammals and plants within such large protected areas increases the possibility that they will be able to adapt to climate change. Healthy ecosystems act as carbon sinks, are are important in sequestering carbon both in the growing plants and in soils.

· If you enjoy outdoor pursuits, protection of the entire Nahanni watershed will protect in turn the fabulous opportunities it offers for recreation: canoeing, caving, camping, hiking, climbing, fishing, wildlife watching, or just to sit still and be in a remote, beautiful and untouched part of Canada, away from cities, roads and noise. Visitors to National Parks contribute to long-term sustainable economic development of rural communities. Offer your support to make this protection permanent by formally designating the Park before 2008.

To ensure this beautiful landscape receives permanent legal protection as part of Canada’s system of National Parks, write to (or phone and leave a message for) your MP:

MP name and title Riding Constituency Office telephone number
The Hon Diane ABLONCZY
Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Calgary—Nose Hill (403) 282-7980
Mr. Rob ANDERS Calgary West (403) 292-6666
Mr. Art HANGER Calgary Northeast,
(403) 291-0018
The Right Hon. Stephen HARPER,
Prime Minister
Calgary Southwest (403) 253-7990
The Hon. Jason KENNEY,
Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity) Calgary Southeast (403) 225-3480
Mr. Deepak OBHRAI
Calgary East (403) 207-3030
The Hon. Jim PRENTICE,
Minister of Industry Calgary Centre-North (403) 216-7777
Mr. Lee RICHARDSON Calgary Centre : (403) 244-1880

Your MP can be found by guessing from the map below or typing in your postal code on this website:
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/
MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

… and write (or send copies of your letter) to
The Hon. Chuck STRAHL, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
The Hon. John BAIRD, Minister of the Environment
The Hon.Jim PRENTICE, Minister of Industry
The Hon. Jason KENNEY, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity

The address for all MP’s is: House of Commons, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6. NO STAMP NEEDED, POST TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IS FREE!
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Nahanni National Park Reserve
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Location of Nahanni National Park Reserve in Canada
Location Northwest Territories, Canada
Nearest city Fort Simpson
Coordinates 61°05′00″N 123°36′00″W / 61.083333, -123.6
Area 28,000 km²[1]
Established 1976
Governing body Parks Canada
Nahanni National Park*
UNESCO World Heritage Site
State Party Canada
Type Natural
Criteria vii, viii
Reference 24
Region† Europe and North America
Inscription History
Inscription 1978 (2nd Session)
* Name as inscribed on World Heritage List.
† Region as classified by UNESCO.
Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories of Canada, approximately 500 kilometres (311 miles) west of Yellowknife, protects a portion of the Mackenzie Mountains Natural Region. The centrepiece of the park is the South Nahanni River. Four great canyons, called First, Second, Third and Fourth Canyon, line this spectacular whitewater river. The name Nahanni comes from the indigenous Dene language and can be translated as ’spirit.’

At Virginia Falls, the river plunges 90 metres (295 feet) in a thunderous plume. It is more than twice the height of Niagara Falls. In the center of the falls is a dramatic spire of resistant rock, called Mason’s Rock after Bill Mason, the famous Canadian canoeist, author, and filmmaker. There is a proposal to rename the falls after former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Aside from the falls, there are many notable rapids on the river including Figure Eight, George’s Riffle, and Lafferty’s Riffle.

The park’s sulphur hotsprings, alpine tundra, mountain ranges, and forests of spruce and aspen are home to many species of birds, fish and mammals. A visitor centre in Fort Simpson features displays on the history, culture and geography of the area. The park was among the world’s first four natural heritage locations to be inscribed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1978.

Originally established in 1972, by then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau,[2] the park was 4,766 square kilometres (1,840 square miles) in area.[3] In 2003, an agreement between the Dehcho First Nations and Parks Canada gave temporary protection to 23,000 km² (8,880 sq mi).[2] In August 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that an extra 5,400 km² (2,085 sq mi) would be added, bringing the total area to 28,000 km² (10,811 sq mi),[1] making Nahanni Canada’s third largest national park.[4]

The only practical way to get to Nahanni National Park is by float plane or by helicopter. Around 800-900 people visit the park every year.
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Bear Attacks by Stephen Herero
Dangerous River by R.M. Patterson
Nahanni by Dick Turner
Nahanni Portfolio by Pat and Rosemarie Keough
Nahanni Remembered by R.C. Lewis
Nahanni River of Gold … River of Dreams by Neil Hartling
Nahanni Trailhead by Joanne Ronan Moore
R.M. Patterson by David Finch

Some Books about Nahanni