Hobbies/Education

D. Simon Jackson
Age: 18
Title: Director, Spirit Bear Youth Coalition
Web Site: Spirit Bear Youth Coalition

From Simon: The land of the spirit bear is a complex web of life, a model for the interdependence of species, a reminder of all that is right in this world.

Chat Transcript Page II

bobbo What is the BC governments stance on this issue?

Bee did it not scare you?

AlleyKat bears are very beautiful

Simon The BC government has yet to take a firm stance as to what should happen to the area we have asked to see saved.

AlleyKat How are you taking a stand for there protection?

Simon seeing the white bear up close is a humbling experience, not a scary one.

Simon yes the bears are very beautiful

AlleyKat I've only seen black bears up close

AlleyKat very close

WendyHOST and also along that line what can we and youth do to help?

Simon I have asked the BC gov. to protect a 250,000 ha. wilderness conservancy for the bears in the last place they can call home.

Simon and youth can play a big part in trying to save them.

Simon I talk to schools, conferences, etc. to help raise awareness and encourage youth to make their voice heard in this complicated land use issue.

Simon the best thing anybody can do for the bear is write a letter to the bc premier and ask him to save the whole proposal

WendyHOST how long have you been at this Simon?

Simon I have been working to save the spirit bear since I was 13

Simon so for 5 years

Cali I wanted to know if the government has responded to your proposals to the wilderness conservancy

Simon yes they have

AlleyKat Have u made a big impact on there conservation?

Simon the current gov. is not likely to win re-election, but they don't want lose any more votes

WendyHOST who is helping you in your fight Simon? any supporters?

Simon right now they want all parties involved in the issue, the industry, the first nations, and the ENGO's to find a compromise that meets all parties needs

WendyHOST ENGO??

Simon enviro. groups

Cali wow ok...that's too bad...

RonHOST Do you do all your work on this from the computer or do you go into the field as well?

Simon A lot of my work is done in the city.

Simon I try to go to see the spirit bear each fall

RonHOSTDo you go out into the bush and help count or whatever is needed?

Simon otherwise I do presentations, meetings with the concerned parties, media interviews, and attempt to get high profile figures on board

Simon no, i am not a scientist, just a kid who wants to save the bear. my work is a lot of politics and little hands on

Simon there is no real study into the population of the bear

WendyHOST are the loggers understanding of your cause?

Simon yes, Western Forest Products has given me a great deal of time.

WendyHOST that's great Simon

Simon but their bottom line is money - so we have agreed to disagree

WendyHOST understandable

Simon but today we are closer to coming to a consensus than ever before and i am hopeful that a resolution will be found in the next few weeks.