ForestWise: Fall 2008
Table of Contents:
1. Introductory Remarks
2. Society Business
3. Editorial Commentary
4. Concluding Remarks
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Introductory Comments
Welcome to our abbreviated Newsletter for Fall 2008. Our Society is gearing up for a push on public-dialogue-about-forests. We are developing a proposal that will encourage discussion and change within our forest sector - it’s called the Public Forests Centennial report. It recognizes that 100 years ago, the first forest legislation was written, and now is a good time to revisit the principles and actions from that important period.
So watch the Forests Centennial section of our website for regular updates that outline our thoughts about forestry in the 21st Century.
Letters, Ideas, Questions, Suggestions - contact us: hdrage@shaw.ca |
Society Business
The Society will be raising our profile between January and March 2009 by contacting many of the players in forestry in our province and introducing the Society. Our general goals are to increase the opportunities for meaningful discussion and debate about forestry, and raise the knowledge and comfort level of people, providing them with more confidence to participate. Also our membership initiative will continue in order to increase our numbers and our capacity to engage with the issues. Please refer to the about us page for meeting minutes.
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Editorial Commentary
As 2008 draws to a close, and our forest sector is reeling from the worldwide and local economic troubles, this could be an opportune time for us to conduct a comprehensive ‘forest review’. Everything from legislation and policies, to tenures and resource stewardship, warrants an inspection ‘under-the-microscope’ to see if we’re on the right track. Many things have changed over the past few years - has our forest sector kept pace?
Some people seem reluctant to support formation of a formal Royal Commission to look at how we’re doing. So why not have something else, such as a public Task Group or Working Committee or Review Board. Notwithstanding the name, the goal would be to conduct an indepth analysis of the BC situation and report back to Government with recommendations, to keep and build upon the good, and push past the bad.
A complete review would leave ‘no tree unturned’ and offer an open public process for everyone to be heard. Possibly one full year may be required to do justice to such an important opportunity. It could also be useful to keep part of the process ‘alive’ into the future by establishing a ‘standing committee’ to regularly look at forest issues. These actions could help reconnect people to their forests and forest uses, so that decisions were not being made out of the public arena and involve people as a part of the solutions. More support for forest industries and communities would result, as trust and respect built from informed participants. The Forests Society will contribute to the discussions as a constructive contributor.
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Concluding Remarks
Forestry in B.C. should be healthy, dynamic and invigorating, supporting a full range of resource values, and stable industries and communities. What we see today is much less than we expected 100 years ago with the first Forest Act. So it’s time for careful reflection and review. Visit the Public Forests Centennial page regularly to see our proposals for change.
If you are interested in becoming a member of our society, please visit our Membership page.
