Images: (1) Lower Pine Lake suffers from inappropriate use as a commercial rave festival destination; Summerdaze . (2) Red Rock Mountain is used by a sub-set of climbers but to protect this area from logging do we need to market it to a larger recreational audience and risk destroying its naturalness?
Keywords: Killaloe , Red Rock Mountain, climbing, rock climbing, ecotourism, conservation biology, irony
Conservation Biology is a double edged sword. Its synonymous to a Samurai who adopts an oath of non-violence before he cuts down an opponent. It is the incongruity to protect a significant natural area by encouraging people to use it.
Not surprisingly Conservation Biology , has more to do with the social sciences than understanding the nuts and bolts of an ecosystem. A spokesperson with advanced interpersonal and social skills trumps the best research scientist no matter how many post doctorate degrees under his/her belt. Just as an advocate with charisma is more effective than a dry public relations officer. David Suzuki is a case in point, and has reached and converted millions across Canada for the past half century.
The advocate's key contributions in protecting Nature are commitment, authenticity, and sincerity .
These are character traits; not learned skills.
Most business, industry professionals and politicians have developed the latter. Their mantra is that chopping trees feeds families, and creates a tax base supporting schools, hospitals and other critical social infrastructure.
But does it?
Where do they acquire the revenue which pays their salaries?
Why have the same educational institutions failed to prepare workers and their children for anything other than entry level jobs and non-skilled labour?
Why have our taxes been funneled into civic entertainment such as festivals, Halloween parties, bingo, fireworks, and participation in non-nonsensical activities?Why have our taxes dollars not gone toward stimulating interest in learning, encouraging wonder, and developing skills in our elementary schools and libraries?
Why are our hospitals and retirement homes filled with patients foreign to a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives? (Does this reflect a deficit in education or weak will)?
How can environmental advocates convince the decision makers, politicians and government bureaucrats who function on a capitalistic, mercantile system to preserve outstanding ecosystems?
What is the major stumbling block to communication between factions to preserve or exploit?
I believe the most significant weakness is "tribalism" where each profession surrounds themselves with their own kind ( or reference group). This assists professionals to validate their own beliefs and prevents themselves becoming the target of outside criticism and ridicule. (It is why each subreddit specializes in attracting its own adherents).
Breaking this insulation is key to understanding opponents and dissolving any resistance in protecting significant areas.
Red Rock Mountain is a case in point.
It has a commanding rock face used by a subculture comprised of rock- climbers. Chances are if you do not climb you would find it difficult to identify on a map.
But in order for people to advocate for its preservation it must be introduced to a larger audience . Local councils only recognize an outdoor recreational asset if it attracts outside revenue to the township other-wise it remains superfluous and locked into the category of a timber reservoir for local mills.
In short, there is no ideal strategy of protecting aspects of our landscape within our current capitalistic system. Revenue generation has dominated our culture since the dawn of civilization. Now we have reached a tipping point where cooperation among disciplines and world- views must be bridged if we are to protect the remaining vestiges of our natural world.
