Re: Saving the sage grouse: politics vs. reality, by Will Verbovin, Page A4, Advocate, July 24:
How sad that Albertans are loathe to protect the last remaining sage grouse in the province.
According to the Alberta Wilderness Association, there were only 13 male grouse counted last spring. Are we really so arrogant and pathetic that we will not spare a few acres to allow the propagation of the species?
I believe land owners and leaseholders have been given very generous amounts of land, some of which is rightfully public land. Similarly, the oil and gas industries are allowed access to an abundance. It is the big machinery and endless disturbance that threaten the nesting of the birds.
It seems Verbovin would willingly let the species be totally extirpated from Canada and just hand accolades to Montana for having “many thousands.” I seriously doubt that.
I commend the governments of Canada and Alberta for taking protective measures at last.
Florence Havill
Innisfail