Misty Wilderness Gem of the Canadian Pacific
FAMOUS CANADIANS TEAM-UP TO SAVE SOUTH MORESBY
A National Committee to save South Moresby comprized of famous Canadians formed this Spring. With nearly 20 members and growing, here's what some of them have to say:
Robert Bateman, Artist Naturalist - May 1985
"There are many reasons for setting aside South Moresby as a natural area. Scientific reasons are important but aesthetic considerations are also crucial. In our rather unsophisticated and hard-headed society, aesthetics are often written off as airy-fairy frills. In actual fact, billions of dollars are spent annually on the arts, music and the appearance of things. The economics of aesthetics deserve much more serious attention in the management of our urban and rural landscape.
Certain areas must be maintained so that they present a total environment, a harmonious whole. South Moresby does this now. The ecological connections of air, water, land and life are among the most lavish on the planet. The overlay of the Haida Culture and its remains is the human touch that enhances the totality.
Therefore there must be a generous area set aside with no logging or modern disturbance whatever. There must be no visible blight on the natural landscape. Preserving bits and pieces is not good enough. It is like preserving a stately historic building and surrounding it with parking lots and apartments. You must be able to look in all directions and move through the landscape with a total harmonious view.
I have flown the length of the Queen Charlottes to the tip of South Moresby. The logging reminded me of the sheared heads of Concentration Camp inmates. Tree cutting is necessary in certain areas, but it is ugly. There is no way to disguise it. It is even uglier than it might be because of the snatch and grab logging methods, employed often on steep erosion-prone slopes. Some areas will never return to a natural state.
Future generations will cast shame upon our short sightedness if we bring this ugliness to a world class beautiful natural heritage."
Farley Mowat, Naturalist, Author-April 1985
"South Moresby is the first of the last remaining regions in Canada that have not been desecrated by the blind avarice of modern man. It must be saved, not just for our time, but for all time. It will be saved if a shred of honest morality still exists in Canadian society."
Bristol Foster, Zoologist, former head of B.C.'s Ecological Reserve Unit - April 1985
"Having seen the wild parts of over 50 countries I conclude that South Moresby's biological and cultural richness, combined with outstanding scenery, makes the area very special. The protecting of such a small area as South Moresby as a permanent outdoor research laboratory should not be missed. Only by saving significant samples of our natural diversity is there a chance to learn from our mistakes thereby helping to make development - particularly in forestry and fisheries- sustainable for eons to come.
We are the last generation to have an opportunity to set aside significant wilderness areas; let us not squander this rare opportunity:'
Jim Fulton, Member of Parliament, Skeena - May 1985
"A South Moresby Park offers the world a unique opportunity to witness the natural environment at its most beautiful and dynamic. As a resident the Queen Charlotte Islands, I view the regi( prime example of our natural heritage that m passed on, in all its splendor, to succeeding g tions. The world awaits our decision to creat park."
Hon. Charles Caccia, Member of Parliament Davenport, former Minister of the Environment current environment critic
"South Moresby is Canadian heritage of class and reputation; together with the peoples we must find ways of retaining it for generations."
Pressure to save South Moresby has 1 steadily since 1974 when 500 Queen Cha Islanders petitioned the Provincial govern asking that this fjord and island- rich 15% of the Charlottes, called the Galapagos of Canada, become protected wilderness. Now more than 50 organizations representing over a half a million Cam have joined in support.
The Committee of well known Canadian naturalists and writers to save South Moresby succeed only if a flood of letters to government from all kinds of Canadian citizens continues increase. The choice is yours. If you care enough you'll do your best to help save South Moresby.
