Protecting British Columbia's Flathead Valley

"A unique community of carnivore species resides in the Transboundary flathead region that appears unmatched in North America for its variety, completeness, use of bottomlands, and density of species that are rare elsewhere." Dr John Weaver

British Columbia's Flathead Valley provides not only beautiful scenery and postcard perfect pictures, but also a home for many diverse animal species, mainly grizzly bears. As one of the only untouched, undeveloped wilderness areas left; the Flathead Valley is the birth place of many varieties of flowers, roaming grounds for animals, as well as a key connecting point for animals moving north and south. The Flathead Valley also provides some of the purest, fresh water flowing through waterfalls and rivers, containing over 300 aquatic insects, 10 species of native fish, and 12 species of introduced fish.

"Despite the biological productivity of the area it is the most threatened portion of the Yellowstone to Yukon landscape. The biological functionality of the landscape is threatened by human actions ranging from recreation, resource extraction and probable major expansion of the Highway 3. Currently this landscape provides large mammals with the opportunity to move between the south side of Highway 3 and the north. This maintains what we believe... is a large, connected population unit. This unit includes animals from Glacier National Park and southward. To the northern in Canada,m there is gene flow with animals in Wateron Park and the rest of the Canadian Rockies west and northward. This connectivity means that large mammal populations are the more resilient to changing environmental conditions because they have more habitat and genetic diversity to draw on in times of stress." Dr. Stephen Herreo

British Columbia's Flathead Valley is a beautiful sanctuary for both humans and wildlife. Just a month ago this land was threatened by the desire for ineffective land use and selfish humans that believe mining comes before national history and homes for wildlife.

On February 9, 2010 The province of British Columbia announced a ban on all mining, oil, and gas development in the Flathead Valley. I believe the Flathead Valley offers everything and more than a protected National Park. It has been saved, although not yet protected with the label of a National Park. Future generations will be thankful for these grounds, and by turning the Flathead Valley into a National Park will help preserve this sanctuary for many years to come. Saving the Flathead Valley from mining corporations is a step in the right direction. I believe that with the persistence of British Columbians, the Flathead Valley will be added to Canada's 42 National Parks.