Everyone in the North Okanagan has seen Mt. Rose Swanson, even if they don't know its name.  It's an iconic mountain, and a place for many to hike and enjoy the beauty of nature.  From its many viewpoints you can see the entire valley! It is also the source of drinking water for many local residents.

As members of the community, we are eager to keep these trails and ecosystems in place, not just for now, but for future generations to come.  But unless we take action, these trails, and our ability to enjoy them and nature may be in jeopardy. Logging is not uncommon in this area.  However, as upcoming logging plans by BC Timber Sales commence, there is a conspicuous lack of scientific assessments of other values besides timber (hydrology, flora/fauna, rare and endangered species, Indigenous, visual quality, recreation etc.) and how logging would impact them. We also do not have a clear picture of the wildfire risk and need an assessment done for the mountain. Recent scientific research has shown that logging doesn’t necessarily
prevent forest fires.

Normally scientific assessments are done by the Province of BC or in the case of Mt. Rose Swanson, BC Timber Sales, but none have been done to date. These studies are essential to assist in a logical, unbiased decision making process and to ensure that all values are protected and all stakeholders are consulted, including First Nations and valley residents.

We need to address this gap in knowledge so an informed and responsible decision can be made regarding land use on the mountain.

Please sign this petition to ensure that the missing data is collected and made available to the public, so that all values on Mt. Rose Swanson are preserved and protected. If we don’t take care of what we have now, it will cost more to restore our natural areas and waterways in the future.

TO: THE BC GOVERNMENT AND MINISTRY OF FORESTS

ISSUE: Protection and Preservation of Mt. Rose Swanson

• Mt. Rose Swanson is an essential part of our community and region’s way of life.
• Local and regional governments and non-profit groups have been advocating for the protection of Mt. Rose Swanson since the 1950’s.

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, urge the B.C. Government to:

• Acknowledge, preserve and protect Mt. Rose Swanson as a Natural Asset and Natural Infrastructure, for the benefit of its surrounding communities and the Province of British Columbia, for future generations
• Ensure that evidence-based, up to date scientific assessment is carried out as soon as possible and considered in development and land use decision making before development steps are taken.