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In January, 2008, Ontario Parks released the Preliminary Park Management Plan for Komoka Provincial Park. This draft plan, which sets the long-term direction for the management of the park, is one of the first to be produced under Ontario's new Provincial Parks and Conservation Reserves Act, passed in 2006. The Komoka management plan can thus be considered a test of the government's approach to implementing the new Act and maintaining the ecological integrity of the province's protected areas.

The public has an opportunity to submit comments on this draft management plan online via the Environmental Registry or by letter to the Park Superintendent before March 25, 2008. We believe that there is reason to be concerned about some of the policies and recommendations contained in the plan, and urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to express your support for a management approach that will adequately protect the park's significant natural features.

About the park: Komoka Provincial Park lies along the Thames River, near London Ontario. For many years the park has functioned as a non-operating Recreation Park, with hiking being the main activity. The park is home to more than 100 species of plants and animals that are rare in Middlesex County. A significant number of endangered species have also been found in the park, including Blue Ash, Least Bittern, Black Tern, Northern Bobwhite, American Badger, Spiny Softshell and Eastern Hog-nosed Snake.

Issue: classification does not offer optimum protection. The draft plan proposes to reclassify Komoka as a Natural Environment Park, with a large Nature Reserve Zone covering most of the area. Within the 15% of the park that is to be less fully protected as a Natural Environment Zone there is habitat that is important for amphibians, Grasshopper Sparrows, waterfowl, rails, shorebirds and species such as the threatened Eastern Hog-nosed Snake. The park's flora and fauna would be better protected if the entire park were reclassified as a Nature Reserve. This would direct management to give much higher priority to the protection of the natural values. Further, from a system-wide perspective, there are very few provincial Nature Reserve Parks in the Carolinian zone of southern Ontario but many Natural Environment and Recreation Parks. Pinery Provincial Park already satisfies the MNR's need for at least one Natural Environment Park in the area (Ecodistrict 7E-2). Komoka Provincial Park should be classified as Nature Reserve.

Issue: non-conforming uses to continue. The proposed management plan intends to allow recreational activities such as horseback riding and biking to be permitted in the Nature Reserve Zone for two more years after the new plan has been adopted. These activities do not conform with provincial policy regarding Nature Reserve zones, and their continuation could be construed by the public to indicate that park management has no serious commitment to managing Komoka Provincial Park according to accepted ministry standards. It also sets a precedent that argues for the permanent establishment of these activities within the Nature Reserve. Such non-conforming and incompatible uses should not be allowed as they threaten park values and set a poor precedent.

Let Ontario Parks know that Komoka Provincial Park, like other parks across Ontario, must aim first and foremost to protect and restore ecological integrity. The reclassification of Komoka Provincial Park as a Nature Reserve would give much higher priority to the protection of natural values within the park. At the same time, the management plan needs to immediately prohibit non-conforming uses such as biking and horseback riding in the Nature Reserve Zone.

Please submit comments by March 25, 2008, online, via the Environmental Registry:

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do? noticeId=MTY1NjY=&statusId=MTY1NjY=&language=en

» Sign the Online Petition

Our Greatest Conservation Opportunity: Protect Canada's Desert, Grasslands and Ponderosa Pine Forests in Southern BC!

Currently, Canadians are being presented with one of the most exceptional conservation opportunities in our history. The BC and federal governments have agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study for a potential national park reserve to protect the desert, grasslands, and Ponderosa pine ecosystems of the South Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys in southern British Columbia. The local residents and the millions of Canadians who've visited the area know it is perhaps the most beautiful region of the country. Whether the national park reserve becomes a reality - or a lost opportunity - depends on YOUR input and the input of all Canadians.

This region, around the towns of Osoyoos, Oliver, Keremeos and Cawston, has more species at risk than any other region of BC. Canyon wrens, white-headed woodpeckers, badgers, California bighorn sheep, tiger salamanders, spadefoot toads, pallid bats, spotted bats, scorpions, and rattlesnakes all inhabit the area. A national park here would encompass a greater diversity of ecosystems than any national park in Canada - 6 of BC's 14 major ecosystem types ("biogeoclimatic zones") are found in this little region.

National parks are very rare - there are only 7 national parks in BC, in contrast to over 1000 provincial parks and protected areas here. National parks tend to be much larger than provincial parks and have the highest standards of environmental protection. A national park reserve in the South Okanagan-Similkameen region would be the greatest conservation opportunity for an area that is the greatest conservation priority in Canada.

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!

» Take Action Now!!

For further information please contact:

Western Canada Wilderness Committee
651 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1M7
Phone: (250) 388-9292
Fax: (250) 388-9223
Email: info@wcwcvictoria.org
Website: www.wcwcvictoria.org

South Okanagan Naturalist Club
Contact: Jim Ginns
1970 Sutherland Road
Penticton, BC V2A 8T8
Phone: 250-492-9610
Email: ginnsj@telus.net