Still the best place to see what's happening in North Cowichan is from atop Mt Prevost.

From there you can see what some call progress... vital agricultural lands under threat from urban sprawl... the very '50s-type of strip development along the highway.

But what is most sad is poor old Mt Tzouhalem, in the distance, in the photo below.

That once lovely mountain is being denuded. Everyone is clamoring for a view of Quamichan Lake. Houses are snaking up the northwest slopes. Old hiking trails have disappeared. Wildlife and the few native plants remaining are caught between residential developments and the municipal forests.
 

This is the fate of Echo Heights and surely, if the proponents of Dumb Growth have their way, of Maple Mountain. And, hey, the views are great from Mt Prevost too. And Mt Sicker. All that land in municipal hands, makes any politician and developer just want to drool.

Untrammeled growth, the dependence on the culture of the car and the culture of consumption… why do these people do it? They say it’s in the name of progress, “for the future”. It seems like they are very scared of the future, that they think they can control it, but realize, deep in their hearts, that they don’t have a clue.

I’d like to take the mayor and council and senior staff for a hike to the top of Mt Prevost. Once they’ve caught their breath, let them take a look at what’s happening below them. And them pat them gently on the head and say:

“It’s okay. We know you want to be Very Important People and transfer more of the industrial tax burden on to residential properties and build swimming pools. Just take it easy. Slow down. There’s really no rush. Chill out for a generation or two… for a generation.”

Someone said that those who sell or buy a view don’t know how to see.