One of the last wild free flowing rivers in North America was spared human exploitation for energy by the British Columbia government. The valley unsettled by humans is an unspoiled refuge for wildflowers, lynx, wolverines, mountain lions, brown bears and rare trout. The decision to protect the
Flathead River Valley was announced last week. The valley is adjacent to a cross border park and world heritage site, Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, the world's first, declared in 1932. Environmental groups petitioned UNESCO to investigate proposed mining activities in the Flathead Valley that would have impacted the Park. The UN
delivered a report to the governments of Canada and the United States recommending a ban on mining and the development of a wildlife management plan. Until this decision the valley was a target for coal mining and natural gas recovery at the river's headwaters. The proposed wildlife management areas and new provincial park will connect Banff National Park in Canada with Glacier National Park in Montana. Connected zones of wild country are considered the preferred option for protecting species and the ecosystems they inhabit. Some things are more precious than gold, and it is good to see that fact is being recognized by both the United States and Candian governments. Ah Yuh,
GREEN KUDOS go to British Columbia. Alberta are you watching?
[photo: Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society]
