FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2007
Bragg Creek: Yesterday's Alberta budget increased spending on the environment by $22-million, while resource development got an additional $120-million, $100-million of that will go to forestry management. That means more clearcuts in Kananaskis. Government priorities are clear: unbridled, irresponsible growth will continue at the expense of the environment.
Ted Morton, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development ignored a huge outpouring of concern over his plan to begin logging in Kananaskis from people in Calgary and Bragg Creek. His response to their request to stop logging was to declare a state of emergency over the potential threat to our forest from pine beetles. His solution is to clearcut the forest. He's desperate to cut down the Kananaskis forest. Last year it was to fight the potential of forest fire. This year it's to fight the pine beetle, and now that pressure to stop logging is rising, it's a crisis.
A group of Bragg Creek residents are using the Tag A Tree project to raise awareness about logging in Kananaskis. Why does Kananaskis need protection? Because 42% of it is not a park. It's an industrial development zone and we need to:
- Protect the Elbow River watershed and Calgary's water supply
- Provide recreation and tourism opportunities for people and business
- Do something to preserve Alberta's natural heritage
- Preserve an important natural habitat
The Tag A Tree group is asking people to get a tree tag - a slice of a fallen tree with the "Save Kananaskis - It's Worth It" logo on it, and hang it on a tree in Kananaskis or on their property. Free tags will be available throughout the summer of 2007 at outdoor stores in Calgary and businesses in Bragg Creek.
The campaign will begin at the Bragg Creek Centre on May 12, from 10 A.M to 5 P.M. with environmental and outdoor groups in attendance. At 1 P.M, David Swann, MLA Calgary-Mountainview; Ralph Cartar, President of the Bragg Creek Environmental Coalition; and Brad Clute, Sustainability Coordinator of Mountain Equipment Co-Op will talk about their reasons why Kananaskis needs to be protected. After that, groups of hikers, walkers and riders will head out to Kananaskis to tag trails and enjoy nature.
The Tag A Tree group want the government to stop logging in the eastern districts of Kananaskis and create a park instead.
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Contact
Doug Sephton
949-4274
doug (at) braggcreek.ca
www.tagatree.ca
