The United Nations has declared the year 2002 to be "The Year of Mountains". Last year, "The Year of the Bear" was celebrated very successfully here in western Canada and it is hoped that this year, the public will have the opportunity to learn more about the spectacular mountain ranges in our Province. Also, their importance ecologically and economically, to this country.
In my previous articles you have heard me mention the Rockies, the Selkirks, Mount Fisher, the Purcells, Kokanee Glacier and other spectacular mountains and ranges here in British Columbia. Most of my articles have been about towns surrounded by these mountains. Obviously, these huge geographical features are important to people's lives. I look out my window everyday, many times a day, and would be devastated if my view of the Rockies would suddenly disappear. They are crisp and clear in the morning, somewhat forbidding in the heat of the day, and tinged with fire as the sun goes down. I have lived on both sides of this range, each side being spectacular and ever-changing in light and colour.
Mountains provide beautiful scenery, alpine flowers, habitat for wildlife and, extremely importantly for all of us - water! Protection of our mountain areas is vital to maintain a clean and healthy supply of H2O. Governments are looking closely at the effects of clear-cut logging on mountainsides, the effects of population on the soil and on wildlife, and, how the development of ski hills could affect the natural habitats of plants, animals and birds. For anyone who has appreciated the clear spring water that flows down the side of a mountain, one has to believe that this is something we need to conserve for future generations. So many companies now advertise "Mountain Spring Water" and it is has turned into a billion dollar industry. How do we preserve that source?
Erosion is one of the worst causes of mountain destruction and although wind, rain, snow and ice are natural causes of erosion, far quicker to devastate is man and machinery. Logging roads, vehicles, recreational vehicles etc can disturb the fragile soil causing small slides that block or pollute the run off streams that bring our fresh water down the mountain. Trees that grow up to the tree lines hold the delicate layers of soil and rock in place. With those removed, so is the mountainside's stability. The mountains are a source of fossilized rocks, clues to our past and the creatures that have resided here.
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