Help Establish A National Park In The South Okanagan Similkameen Grasslands

In addition, it is vitally important that a sizeable and fully protected national park reserve is established if the park becomes a reality. To be ecologically viable, the park must encompass large tracts of currently unprotected Crown lands, encompass existing provincial parks and protected areas in the region, and include a significant parkland acquisition fund to purchase private lands from willing sellers and to establish conservation financing options for local First Nations. Anyone who lives in North America knows that national parks greatly enhance local economies by increasing tourism revenues and providing local jobs, not to mention increasing the environmental quality of life for local people and all Canadians. This proposed park - a once in a lifetime opportunity -could very well be derailed by vocal opposition forces unless YOU speak up to the political decision-makers! Please write to the governments of Canada and British Columbia and let them know whether or not you want them to: Commit to the establishment of a sizeable national park reserve in the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys that: - Upholds the standard of protection afforded by the National Parks Act that forbids ranching, hunting, logging, and mining on national park reserve lands. - Encompasses at least 100 000 hectares of currently unprotected Crown lands as well as existing provincial protected areas in the grasslands and forests of the region. - Includes a $50 million parks acquisition fund to purchase private lands from willing sellers, to buy out grazing leases from willing sellers on Crown lands, and to provide conservation financing options for local First Nations. - Encompasses the Vaseux Lake / White Lake region which contains the rarest, low elevation habitats in the proposal. Write to: Prime Minister Stephen Harper 80 Wellington ST. Ottawa, ONT K1A 0A2 Fax: 613-941-6900 Pm@pm.gc.ca (No postage needed if mailed in Canada) Premier Gordon Campbell Legislative Buildings Victoria, BC V8V 1X4 Fax: 250-387-0087 Premier@gov.bc.ca (Postage is required) Be sure to include your mailing address. Please also sign the online petition and download copies to hand out at http://www.okanaganpetition.org You can find out more information at: The environmental coalition’s website: http://www.sosnationalpark.org/ Parks Canada’s website: http://www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/cnpn-cnnp/os-os/index_e.asp

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