First, thanks to Graven for the invite – I’m hoping to develop an environmental consciousness some day, and this should help.
The Globe and Mail reports that Nova Scotia has declared The Brothers Islands, near Lower West Pubnico, and Grassy Island, near Tancook Island, as protected areas. These islands, particularly Grassy Island, are breeding grounds for the endangered roseate tern. A positive decision, with hopefully positive long-term results. Due credit to the government for what I sincerely hope is the first of many good decisions.
My cynical nature makes my first reaction: So, no natural gas or particularly alluring forests to exploit on those islands? Let’s hope that will seem unfair soon.
Welcome Flash. Having worked in the resource extraction field (forestry) for a number of years, I share your cynicism…. I cannot recall the number of “habitat patches” I have seen, whose sole criteria for qualifying is because it is composed of trees whose age (stage of development) or species is such that they are of no interest to the mill. Therefore it costs more to cut them than they are “worth”. I
suspectam sure there is more than a little bit of that in setting these islands aside. However, they do mention roseate(sic?) terns. Charismatic megafauna (such as birds) are the one topic the greenies can seem to get (at least a part of) the apathetic mass of the public herd to give a crap about. If you can show them a picture of a pretty birdie, or something fuzzy with big brown eyes, they’ll react. But hey, we’ll take it… Anytime you can get something like this done is a victory, of sorts.I just wonder how long it will be before some a**hole of a developer decides that rich Europeans absolutely HAVE to have those islands as summer homes – because its pretty there. AND, because they’ll pay big bucks to live there. Provincial Governments, at least in the Maritimes, seem to be particularly ‘nadless when it comes to preserving our scenic areas – particularly when it involves anything like coastline, riverfront or lakeside views. I got one thing to say to the developers: “Hey jack**f, its pretty because some schmuck HASN’T parked an obnoxious friggin’ Mcmansion on it.”
Funny you should mention developers and rich eurotrash graven. I’ve been following the attempt to do just that in Elgin NB, not that far from my own land. I’ve checked the company’s web site (google ann collins property if your’e interested) and to be honest the whole thing looks pretty dubious but it’s a tailor made example of what your saying. Even to the point of describing the area as “environmentally pristine” . This makes it perfect for a shopping complex, 2000 resort homes for the financially unchallenged european and, of course, a golf course. I could comment further but the last line of your comment pretty much sums it up.