In reading numerous letters of opinion to the editors of local newspapers at times, one wonders if our landscapes can continue to supply our society with food and water in spite of the efforts of some of our citizens to jeopardize these sources.
There are positive functions happening, particularly in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, such as well-managed cattle grazing and well-managed three harvesting supplying food, water and shelter to our urban centres.
These are positive functions and activities.
However, there are negative activities as well.
Firstly, recreation in the form of camping, quading, hiking and general tourist traffic in spite of regulations to govern the long term have a negative impact as a whole. Secondly, all along the Eastern Slopes adjacent to Kananaskis Country you have communities that have developed over the last 50 years or more with residents who want the landscapes to meet their particular goals in life. They are focused on self-interest rather than the public interest of our urban centres which require the food, water and shelter these ecosystems supply.
For the long-term prosperity of southern Alberta, we need to protect the ecosystems that provide a healthy and productive environment that supports people to live and prosper.
The future will bring more people to southern Alberta but our land and water resources are finite. We must continue to manage our grazing and forestry lands well as they will supply, in part, our food, water and shelter for future generations of Albertans. We cannot afford to have large parcels of our public lands set aside for the wants of small communities.
Harvey Buckley
