Government collusion with industry is turning western Alberta's forests into a patchwork of clearcuts. In spite of government studies showing that Alberta's parks and wilderness areas contribute "the same amount to the economy

Halt the destruction of Alberta's West Country

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.18 - No.06, Summer 1999

Coalition Launched to Protect "Bighorn Country"

Local citizens, outdoor recreationalists, ecotourism operators, guides and outfitters from the Sundre, Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer areas, along with provincial organizations, have formed a coalition to promote the protection of Bighorn Country. It will mean recreation-based economic development rather than more industrial activity in the area west of the Forestry Trunk Road (Secondary Highway #734).

The Coalition is pursuing the establishment of Bighorn Country as a place where:

  • the natural landscape is maintained and protected for present and future generations;
  • the area is managed for outdoor recreation, environmental education and ecotourism;
  • the area is also managed for the protection of wildland landscapes, watersheds, wilderness and ecological resources, wildlife, natural ecological processes, and the natural and cultural heritage;
  • tourism development provides services necessary for the enjoyment of wildland recreation; and
  • there is no new surface-disturbance from industry and no new industrial dispositions.

    • Part of the proposed protected area within Bighorn Country is the Bighorn Wildland Recreation Area, which was named by the government in 1986 and zoned for "Prime Protection and Critical Wildlife" but has never received legislative protection.

    "We're not asking the government to pour money into the area for roads and tourism facilities. There are already operators there and enough public roads," explains Dave Jensen of Ram River Outdoorsmen. "We're asking government to ensure long-term protection of the area for this and future generations to enjoy and in doing so, to restore some balance and provide an environmentally-sustainable development alternative to resource extraction."

    "We Albertans have been complacent about our wilderness for too long," notes Lane Moore of the Lazy M Ranch. We ALL must realize that they are rapidly disappearing. Decisive action is imperative before they are all but gone!"