Exercise #4
February 15, 2022 By: True St.Denis
In the Upper Seymour River- a six-hour drive on a logging road from where I live lays an untouched forest of ancient red cedars.1 This forest is now at risk for logging, as two companies have proposed blocks set in this area that are also a known caribou habitat.2 Not only would logging this area destroy acres of thousand-year-old trees, but it would also create pathways for wolves to easily access the caribou habitat.3 Logging creates more access for wolves, causing amplified predation for caribou populations.4 Once reading this article, I was astonished that I had not heard about this logging plan before. I am under the impression that it is not well known by the general public. This area is now called the Shuswap’s version of Fairy Creek.5. I believe that it would be wrong to harvest these old-growth trees. Many other sites are accessible to logging that do not contain these ancient red cedars. Additionally, the increased logging in the area harms the ecosystem in these areas. The article gave me the option to send an automated email letter to BC Forests Minister Katrine Conroy and other provincial leaders about this issue. Here is the link if anyone is interested in supporting this cause. https://secure.wildsight.ca/protectoldgrowth?source=Website%20-%20Action%20Page
The above report reminded me of the struggle that took place over Hetch-Hetchy. The red cedars of Upper Seymour River are in danger of total decimation for the economic opportunity of several companies. Yet, there have not been any civil disobedience acts that have occurred regarding the Upper Seymour River red cedars. Historically Hetch-Hetchy proved that public acts of civil disobedience could bring awareness. Although Hetch-Hetchy activists did not attain their desired outcome, their movement was the first of its kind for environmental activism.6 This protest by Hetch-Hetchy occurred through vigorous protests through scientists, mountain climbers, travelers, and others in person, letters, telegrams, magazine and newspaper articles.7 I believe that if enough people come together to peacefully and respectfully protest an issue, awareness and change can occur.
1 Jim Cooperman, “Guest Blog: Ancient Cedar Stands At Risk In Shuswap’s Own Fairy Creek,” Wild Sight, last modified November 26, 2021, https://wildsight.ca/2021/11/26/guest-blog-ancient-cedar-stands-at-risk-in-shuswaps-own-fairy-creek/
2 Ibid.
3 Ibid.
4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
6 National Archives, “Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates,” Archives.gov, last modified August 25, 2017. https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/hetch-hetchy#:~:text=Between%201908%20and%201913%2C%20Congress,provide%20a%20steady%20water%20supply.
7 Roderick F. Nash, “Chapter Ten: Hetch Hetchy,” In Wilderness and the American Mind, 5th ed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014: 161–181.
Bibliography
Cooperman, Jim. “Guest Blog: Ancient Cedar Stands At Risk In Shuswap’s Own Fairy Creek.” Wild Sight. November 26, 2021. https://wildsight.ca/2021/11/26/guest-blog-
ancient-cedar- stands-at-risk-in-shuswaps-own-fairy-creek/
Nash, Roderick F. “Chapter Ten: Hetch Hetchy.” In Wilderness and the American Mind, 5th ed. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014: 161–181.
National Archives. “Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates.” Archives.gov. Last modified August 25, 2017. https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/hetch-
hetchy#:~:text=Between% 201908%20and%201913%2C%20Congress,provide%20a%20steady%20water%20supply.