Stop Logging the South Benson/Wolf Mountain Trails of Nanaimo
The Issue
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THE "Actionable Items to Protect South Benson" UPDATE POSTED JAN 31 2025
Note: do not feel obligated to donate to change.org. Your signature and spreading the word locally is the most important thing you can do.
Recent logging activity in the South Benson trail zone has damaged and destroyed multiple mountain bike trails. Additionally, the lower road called NLR47 was dug up and a bridge removed. There is now a new cut block on at least two of the most popular trails in town.
This zone is used daily by hundreds of users and is a source of health and joy for locals and visitors alike. It represents an asset for the city of Nanaimo in that it is a tourist attraction. People actually move to Nanaimo for the mountain bike culture! Destruction of the remaining trails will be a massive loss to the mountain bike community, the local bike shops, and the families who frequent the area. Logging on these slopes causes erosion and a reduction in floral diversity.
With apparent further planned logging to affect trails such as Mattmo and Sexy Flanders, two of the most popular trails in Nanaimo, the community needs to act fast to save what is left. We urge Nanaimo City Council move to cease logging operations in the area. We need to show Mosaic logging what this area means to the citizens of Nanaimo. The city is in a position to engage with Mosaic to create a permanent community forest whether by leasing, buying, or under a goodwill agreement. Just because this is private land doesn't mean nothing can be done.
First step: share this petition with your Island mountain bike friends and family. Secondly, please sign it yourself. And finally -- most important -- contact the Nanaimo City Council directly by email with what these trails, mountain biking, the trees, and the area mean to you.
Ultimately this petition is not a means in and of itself but a platform from which further advocacy and negotiation can be pursued. Those in positions to do so need engage with Mosaic (who are the land owners), NMBC, and the City of Nanaimo. If you are in a position to make professional inroads with Mosaic or have other skills related to land access agreements, legal expertise, or advocacy in general please leave a note below. The community at large would benefit from something beyond a piecemeal agreement. Mosaic are not the "bad guys" -- they have in fact been extremely accommodating up to this point. What we seek is an official agreement moving forward that will protect the trails without risk of sudden reprisal.
Contact info for mayor and council (click link).
EMAIL: mayor.council@nanaimo.ca
Thank you!
FAQ:
Q: Do I need to donate money?
A: No. The money goes only to change.org to help promote this page. That said, change.org has been helpful even in these early stages with promotion and as a media liason.
Q: Are they really going to log these trails?
A: Mosaic have confirmed logging is to occur in the future.
Q: Which trails have already been logged and which ones are in danger?
A: Kid Gorgeous and Blitzkreek were destroyed. Lower Uter was partially logged as was a section of Endor. There are plans to log near Fawn Frenzy/Meat Draw as well as the aforementioned Mattmo/Sexy Flanders/RIP 67. On Benson proper there is new flagging across the top of Hitman and across the top of Pink Unicorn above the clear cut.
Q: Who should sign this petition?
A: Real trail users. You might be a Nanaimo resident, from a neighbouring community, or someone who appreciated the trails while visiting.
Q: Is there a downside to signing this petition?
A: Signing this petition means you declare your appreciation for the trails and desire to preserve them. It is a respectful way of making your voice known.
Q: Why should I sign my name? A petition isn't going to "do" anything.
A: We all know these trails are used by a huge number of people but we will need to prove it in the near future! This petition is only one element of advocacy and will be helpful when communicating and negotiating with various stakeholders.
Q: I'm a policy maker trying to understand where these trails are located.
A: They are off Nanaimo Lakes Rd on logging road 142 Main.
Q: Are these trails really worth saving?
A: These trails are without a doubt world-class. The South Benson/Wolf Mountain trail network represents priceless and irreplaceable effort and are the face of mountain biking in Nanaimo.
Disclaimer: this petition was started by a concerned citizen with no official ties to the NMBC. The petition is unaffiliated with the club, does not speak for it, or have any authority in decision making.
2,451
The Issue
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THE "Actionable Items to Protect South Benson" UPDATE POSTED JAN 31 2025
Note: do not feel obligated to donate to change.org. Your signature and spreading the word locally is the most important thing you can do.
Recent logging activity in the South Benson trail zone has damaged and destroyed multiple mountain bike trails. Additionally, the lower road called NLR47 was dug up and a bridge removed. There is now a new cut block on at least two of the most popular trails in town.
This zone is used daily by hundreds of users and is a source of health and joy for locals and visitors alike. It represents an asset for the city of Nanaimo in that it is a tourist attraction. People actually move to Nanaimo for the mountain bike culture! Destruction of the remaining trails will be a massive loss to the mountain bike community, the local bike shops, and the families who frequent the area. Logging on these slopes causes erosion and a reduction in floral diversity.
With apparent further planned logging to affect trails such as Mattmo and Sexy Flanders, two of the most popular trails in Nanaimo, the community needs to act fast to save what is left. We urge Nanaimo City Council move to cease logging operations in the area. We need to show Mosaic logging what this area means to the citizens of Nanaimo. The city is in a position to engage with Mosaic to create a permanent community forest whether by leasing, buying, or under a goodwill agreement. Just because this is private land doesn't mean nothing can be done.
First step: share this petition with your Island mountain bike friends and family. Secondly, please sign it yourself. And finally -- most important -- contact the Nanaimo City Council directly by email with what these trails, mountain biking, the trees, and the area mean to you.
Ultimately this petition is not a means in and of itself but a platform from which further advocacy and negotiation can be pursued. Those in positions to do so need engage with Mosaic (who are the land owners), NMBC, and the City of Nanaimo. If you are in a position to make professional inroads with Mosaic or have other skills related to land access agreements, legal expertise, or advocacy in general please leave a note below. The community at large would benefit from something beyond a piecemeal agreement. Mosaic are not the "bad guys" -- they have in fact been extremely accommodating up to this point. What we seek is an official agreement moving forward that will protect the trails without risk of sudden reprisal.
Contact info for mayor and council (click link).
EMAIL: mayor.council@nanaimo.ca
Thank you!
FAQ:
Q: Do I need to donate money?
A: No. The money goes only to change.org to help promote this page. That said, change.org has been helpful even in these early stages with promotion and as a media liason.
Q: Are they really going to log these trails?
A: Mosaic have confirmed logging is to occur in the future.
Q: Which trails have already been logged and which ones are in danger?
A: Kid Gorgeous and Blitzkreek were destroyed. Lower Uter was partially logged as was a section of Endor. There are plans to log near Fawn Frenzy/Meat Draw as well as the aforementioned Mattmo/Sexy Flanders/RIP 67. On Benson proper there is new flagging across the top of Hitman and across the top of Pink Unicorn above the clear cut.
Q: Who should sign this petition?
A: Real trail users. You might be a Nanaimo resident, from a neighbouring community, or someone who appreciated the trails while visiting.
Q: Is there a downside to signing this petition?
A: Signing this petition means you declare your appreciation for the trails and desire to preserve them. It is a respectful way of making your voice known.
Q: Why should I sign my name? A petition isn't going to "do" anything.
A: We all know these trails are used by a huge number of people but we will need to prove it in the near future! This petition is only one element of advocacy and will be helpful when communicating and negotiating with various stakeholders.
Q: I'm a policy maker trying to understand where these trails are located.
A: They are off Nanaimo Lakes Rd on logging road 142 Main.
Q: Are these trails really worth saving?
A: These trails are without a doubt world-class. The South Benson/Wolf Mountain trail network represents priceless and irreplaceable effort and are the face of mountain biking in Nanaimo.
Disclaimer: this petition was started by a concerned citizen with no official ties to the NMBC. The petition is unaffiliated with the club, does not speak for it, or have any authority in decision making.
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Petition created on September 29, 2024