Chetwynd The Echo in Chetwynd, British Columbia

Chetwynd Native Saves Muskwa-Kechika in National Geographic

Wayne Sawchuk of Chetwynd and Rolla gained National Geographic attention in November 2008 for protecting the Muskwa-Kechika, a 16 million acre Northern Rockies ecosystem. Once a logger, he helped designate Mountain Creek Valley as Pine Le Moray Provincial Park in 2000 and led a campaign to secure MK as protected, with 25 percent provincial park, 60 percent special management, and 15 percent wild land zones. He warns that political changes could undo gains and stresses ongoing defense against open pit mines and oils sands development.