High River Town Council has given the go ahead to administration to hire on a wildlife biologist as they attempt to create a green space master plan for High River.

During a presentation to Council on Tuesday, October 15, concerns were raised regarding the natural habitat of wildlife in areas such as the Mercer Lands.

There are nesting Osprey in the area, and some residents and Councillors are worried too much human traffic and film or production crews in the area closest to the nests will have negative outcomes on the birds and other species living in the area.

Town Councillor Bruce Masterman supports the move to hire a Wildlife Biologist, he says the Town hires experts in all areas to guide them in making the correct decisions.

He says the Biologists main job would be to work with administration to prepare a report detailing what should and shouldn't be included in the Town's master plan, and that would include protections in natural areas like the Mercer Lands.

"We've been working on this since before the flood, but since the flood we've been working on getting things back to normal, back into improvement mode and trying to make life better for people in town and all the creatures that live here too."

He says protecting natural areas and parks in town is important, as green space is a big draw when it comes to growing the population.

"I think it's important to everyone, because these areas add so much to our lives." Masterman adds "We talk about quality of life in High River, or jobs and entertainment, but the parks and natural areas, or the creatures that live there add so much to our lives and many people get enjoyment from walking or exploring out there. We can use those areas to educate children on the relationships between nature and people, and how we can impact the earth."

He says it's also important, as this is one of the things people look for when they're looking to live in High River.

"It's important to realize that so many people, when they're deciding where they're going to live, parkland, natural areas and green space come into that. It's part of the whole picture. Someone came up with a name for it many years ago and it's called natural capital. It's looked in terms of planning, as just as important as housing and business."

Masterman says it's important to have a plan in place as many green spaces owned by the Province, will eventually be turned over to the Town and they have to have an idea of what they're doing with them.

"The Rio Vista Golf Course, or places like Wallaceville and Beachwood, those areas that were closed down after the flood and had all of their houses removed, the Province owns those pieces of land now, but we will end up with it eventually and when that happens it will be such an incredible boost to the Town to have so much natural area and parkland for residents to explore."

While the Osprey nest on the Mercer lands will be included in the master plan, council says it's important to have a plan for the use and maintenance of all natural areas that is fair and equitable but doesn't stop residents from pursuing activities in those areas.

 

Send us your news tips, story ideas and comments at news@highriveronline.com