Parkland in the heart of Nanaimo isn't threatened now but could be in the future, says Leonard Krog

Leonard Krog wants the Crown land adjoining Nanaimo's Linley Valley Park preserved and he's asking Vancouver Islanders for support.

The government is taking submissions on a draft land-use order to provide increased protection for Douglas fir forests. The Linley Valley, in the heart of the city, is one of several parcels proposed for this protection.

Krog, the NDP MLA for Nanaimo, said the government is desperate for money and is considering selling off Crown assets like District Lot 56, adjacent to the park to be developed.

"This is a rare piece of property, the kind we are losing every day on this Island," said Krog. "It's considered one of the most endangered wilderness ecosystems in Canada and it's important to protect what remains."

Krog urged Island residents to send letters and e-mails of support to push the provincial government to do the right thing and protect Linley Valley.

"The area is not threatened yet, but it could be and I think it should be preserved in its natural habitat forever," he said.

The campaign to protect the Linley Valley and other Crown lands in Nanoose, Little Qualicum River and Bowser on the mid-Island was recently launched by the Western Canada Wilderness Committee.

The Forest Ministry has indicated it plans to try to protect small patches of Vancouver Island's endangered coastal Douglas fir ecosystem and the WCWC is using its Facebook and Internet organizing skills to pull in letters of support for a proposal to protect these areas of Crown land from logging.

"These protections will help species at risk such as Garry oaks and alligator lizards," said Annette Tanner, mid-Island chairwoman for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee.

"Public support would go a long way in ensuring this unique ecosystem isn't lost forever," said Krog, who urged people to send their concerns to Bill Zinovich in the Integrated Land Management Bureau, West Coast Service Centre, Suite 142, 2080 Labieux Rd., Nanaimo, V9T 6J9; by e-mail to bill.zinovich@gov.bc.ca; or by fax to 250-751-7081.