OPEN LETTER TO ALL BC MLAs CONCERNING A PLAN TO TURN THE MANAGEMENT OF OUR WILDLIFE OVER TO A NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCY June 27 2017 On March 22, 2017, the BC government announced a decision to transfer wildlife management from the provincial government to a separate agency funded by sales of hunting licences and potentially donations…
Cover letter and proposal regarding an ecosystem-based approach to the management of natural living resources in British Columbia
THE COVER LETTER Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources Operations PO BOX 9049 STN PROV GOVT Victoria, BC, V8W 9E2 By e-mail: FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca 20 June 2017 Dear Minister Thomson Re: Proposal for an alternative approach to wildlife management The BC Liberal government announced in April 2017, just prior to the provincial…
(Part 2) Toward Ecocentric Stewardship: Inviting fresh vision for B.C. wildlife and ecosystems.
THE CONTEXT British Columbia is currently experiencing political turmoil. It is a time of social/cultural transition and an opportunity to do things differently, rather than revert to patterns of the past. For the past 16 years, wildlife protection has been systematically eroded through underfunding, staff cuts and lack of long-term vision. It is a history…
On the issue of an independent wildlife agency: some reference points. (Part 1)
THE ISSUE When the government announced that all hunting license revenue, plus $5 million in government start-up money, would be invested in an independent agency to manage BC wildlife, we in the wildlife advocacy community asked: how could such a critical public policy decision about the future of B.C. wildlife be decided upon by a…
The Right Thing to Do
Killing wild animals for sport and trophy display was popularized in the mid 1800s by predominantly male hunters. It glamorized killing as a way to demonstrate virility, dominance and prowess. Things have changed since 1850. For one thing, we know a great deal more about the intelligence and emotional life of Grizzly Bears. They experience…
THE FACE OF BC GRIZZLIES
How do you describe the face of a Grizzly Bear? It’s an impossible question. Here’s why: The face of a Grizzly Bear is – all of the above. And more ….. in the moment ….. Photo credits with thanks to: Bob Benvenuti, Charlie Russell, Jamie Scott, Jim Lawrence (kootenayreflections.com), John E. Marriott (wildernessprints.com), Steve Williamson…
PARADIGM SHIFT
Is there a future for B.C. Grizzly Bears? “As a paradigm shift in thinking, feeling and acting … we must be bold, proactive, positive, passionate and persistent.” ~ Marc Bekoff 2015 ~ Teetering on the edge of provincial politics, economy, ecology and ethics, the B.C. grizzly hunt holds a mirror to British Columbians’ values. Retiring…
Grizzly ethics, conservation and social value in an age of rapid change
Compassionate Conservation At the passenger arrival gate in Victoria airport I am greeted by a stunning poster of a large Grizzly Bear with a salmon in his/her mouth. This is a majestic creature. My first response is to gasp at the wonder of him. My second is to hope he is still alive and makes…
EMERSION
Image used with direct permission of the artist, Robert Bissell. Description: Bear figures dominate the visual space of the art, with some featured prominently in the foreground and many others emerging from the background in a seemingly endless stream coming towards the viewer out of the water. The soft muted blue colour gradient highlights…
Sensing the Beauty
Spiritual dynamics are at the core of justice and ecological issues.
The lens of choice
Bear viewing and bear killing cannot exist in the same locations OR in the same value system. They are antithetical.
Peaceful Coexistence
Grizzly Bears and people live in peace where there is the will, knowledge and understanding to do so.
Justice for BC Grizzlies 