The Yukon Conservation Society wants to see a network of protected areas throughout the city.

Karen Baltgailis said Wednesday the city's existing patchwork of green spaces does not capture many areas treasured by residents, nor does it provide adequate protection of critical wildlife habitat.

A 30-metre buffer zone along stream courses just doesn't cut it as protection for the natural wildlife corridors, Baltgailis contends.

She said there are green spaces in the city, like the maze of trails behind Crestview, which are dear to residents, but carry no guarantee they won't be bulldozed for development.

"So I think you not only have to look at how do we grow, and how do we expand more, but also how do we expand the quality of life for the people who want to live here," she told the Star.

The conservation society issued a press release Wednesday calling for the establishment of a protected area network, and recognition of such a network during the current exercise to update the Official Community Plan (OCP).

Baltgailis said the society doesn't expect to see a network completed during this review, given what will likely be some extensive discussions and negotiations to define boundaries for each protected area.

Finalizing the plan could take a few years, though she believes it can be done by 2015, the city hall's deadline to create a green space plan, as part of its strategic sustainability plan.

Baltgailis said it is possible during this OCP review to at least identify candidate areas and provide blanket protection until there is time to address the individual areas in more detail over the next several years.

The conservation society, she added, not only wants to see a network identified and offered interim protection in this review, but also a commitment to finalize the network of protected areas by 2015.

Everybody already knows, for instance, that Paddy's Pond between Hillcrest and Granger is precious, and sensitive wetland, Baltgailis said.

Ditto for McLean Lake, she noted.

The executive director said city officials could use the current OCP exercise to gather more input from residents on their neighbourhood green spaces, on localized wildlife activity, and then establish a general network of protected areas to be refined later.

It is of the utmost importance, she insisted, that the interim protection for such a network be given some teeth. Baltgailis said even today, there are no guarantees designated green space won't be turned into pavement.

With the city targeting the Whistle Bend project to provide for urban expansion over the next 20 years, it's an opportune time to sit back and take a close look at what residents hold close to their hearts, with the pressure of development knocking on the door, she said.

Baltgailis said there are some large cities in the world that have established park space in what would otherwise be extremely valuable real estate.

"I think we have to look at our city, before it is too late, and figure out where those areas are that are really precious and really important to quality of life."

Baltgailis points out, for instance, that city hall is thinking about driving a new road across McIntyre Creek, over to the Alaska Highway, to service the Whistle Bend subdivision.

In her press release, Baltgailis notes it's ironic that Whistle Bend was to remove the heated pressure that surfaced a couple of years ago for housing lots along the McIntyre Creek corridor. Now, that same development is threatening the very same corridor it was going to protect, the press release indicates.

"Not only would that road be in contravention of the OCPs environmental protection zoning," says the press release. "It would drastically reduce McIntyre Creek's effectiveness as a wildlife corridor and well-loved recreational area.

"YCS wants interim protection of areas important for wildlife and recreation until the protected areas network is created, including all areas currently zoned natural open space, greenbelt, and outdoor recreation, McIntyre Creek, at least 500 metres around McLean Lake and the Paddy's Pond area near Hillcrest."