Submitted by Ron Titus
Vision:
a biodiverse commercial forest akin to the old acadian forests of 200 years ago, with protected areas and parks. Silviculture and and commercial logging utilizing appropriate technologies that does not include vast areas of clearcutting and the use of herbasides.
Strengths:
At the moment the forests of NS are being denuded faster than they are being replaced. If this continues there will be little strength. However, should a combined conservationist/commercial perspective be taken, there would be a viable commercial forest industry as well as a return of the old Acadian forest species, wildlife, tourists and a healthy environment.
Barriers and Issues:
over-harvesting and clearcutting, chemical herbasides - a non-sustainable forest industry in NS. Short-sighted and greed of the forest industry particularly at the corporate level. A government that is also short-sighted and caters to the corporate world.
Community's Priorities:
To stand up to government and big industry, to say we live here and if you want our trees here are our conditions.
Guiding the health and sustainability:
Biodiversity of the forest, a healthy forest that is home for multiple species of trees and wildlife yet provides for a commercial industry the also has these values.