Nature preserve neighbour concerned about communication

Editor:

The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has a logging project planned at the Creemore Nature Preserve, located on Concession 6 South, also fondly referred to as the Mingay Tract. The logging is slated to begin sometime this month.

Numerous local residents are concerned that information about this project is not being shared, and it is up to local residents to bring this to the community’s attention. This is a departure from the previous courteous and transparent relationship the community had with the NCC.

Healthy sustainable forestry practices include the involvement and education of the community. The NCC states that the logging work is being done in the name of biodiversity. This is a word I can get excited about as I consider myself a supporter of the environment. As neighbours of the Preserve, however, we are deeply concerned by the lack of transparency with the residents of Concession 6 South and the Creemore community.

I ask the NCC: Why have the information requests by the immediate neighbours been largely refused, including the NCC’s refusing to provide biological surveys and Property Management Plans that were relied on by NCC to justify the logging? Why has there been no public consultation or education sessions about the logging? Why has the community not been alerted to the upcoming closure of the Preserve? Why has the community not been alerted to potential safety hazards on Concession 6 South during the logging period (heavy machinery, road access and staging areas) or the potential impacts to drainage and runoff?

The neighbours and residents of Creemore place great value on the conservation of lands, the protection of birds, local flora and fauna, and the safety of local roads. The NCC, a charitable organization receiving favourable tax treatment and as a steward of the land, should be building trust with residents through transparency and community consultation. This episode puts a cloud over the NCC’s accountability and intentions.

Paige Cowan,

Concession 6 South, Creemore