Last week, Sierra Club members in Powell River halted the logging of a beautiful 5-acre city park. Sierra Malaspina members and concerned citizens were at the logging site, witnessing the destruction of a pristine ecosystem filled with migratory birds, when two herons came swooping over the site. The group spotted a heron’s nest in an alder tree about to be cut. They raised the alarm and the city contractor halted work. Another heron nest was later spotted in the immediate vicinity. Read the Powell River Peak story.

Herons are a species at risk under federal law, which mandates protection not only for the actual nest and the tree it stands on, but also for the habitat around it. The park has two wheelchair-accessible trails, the only wooded trails that can be accessed from the seniors housing in that area. It was slated to be redeveloped as a running track. Read Sierra Malaspina chair Betty Zaikow's letter to mayor and council about the site.

The 88-year-old mother of Sierra Malaspina chair Betty Zaikow frequently walks the trail that would be lost if an athletic track were built.

The City of Powell River is now considering another location for the running track. They are also considering a by-law prohibiting cutting down trees within city limits between the months of April and August.

Watch a video of the logging and herons.

The citizens of Powell River – along with the herons - have now lost three-quarters of a pristine ecosystem right in the heart of the city. To the City’s credit, they have realised their mistake and are now willing to do the right thing. This is an opportunity to save what remains of the park, and to make sure that endangered and migratory birds have sufficient habitat to rear their young and be protected from disturbance. In addition, Sierra Malaspina is asking that the proposed by-law prohibiting cutting April to August is extended to the whole watershed, which harbours many rare and migratory birds.

Please write to the Powell River city councillors today and take a stand for the herons and for accessible green space for Powell River residents. Find mayor and council emails here. You can also pen a letter to the editor of the Powell River Peak.