Can we consider forests to
be a renewable resource?
Peut-on dire que la forêt est
une ressource renouvelable?

Let us know what you think!
On aimerait bien savoir ce que tu en penses!

"We will never ever be able to balance to the satisfaction of the environmentalists the use of our natural resources in the province."
This is an election statement I would like to respond to. I am a forestry contractor who owns and operates a cut-to-length tree processor to selectively harvest private woodlots. I selectively cut the slowest growing and poorest quality trees, leaving the healthy and productive trees to remain growing. While the option does not supply all of the wood in one forest to the mills at one time, it does supply wood to sawmills, considerable income to the landowners, full time employment for three people and, perhaps most importantly, it saves woodlots from being needlessly and indiscriminately clearcut. In fact, in the long term, the economic value of the woodlot is enhanced because the remaining trees grow faster, and are of higher quality and value. With due consideration during the harvesting process, the natural Acadian forest ecosystems of Nova Scotia can and are actually being restored using these selection management techniques. A growing number of harvesting contractors are switching to these methods as landowners in the province become aware that clearcutting isn't the only option for their woodlots. It rarely requires replanting and rules out the need for herbicide spraying.
I personally feel that it represents a balance between what is best for forest ecosystems, economic well being, and Nova Scotian communities. We all depend on healthy productive forests and a healthy economy. Every environmentalist I know supports this kind of selection management.
One fact remains however: that in the short term, contractors and large industrial harvesting companies will likely have better net profits this year if they keep "efficient" and cut every tree in every location. What John Hamm said about environmentalists is exactly what big industry would have us all believe so that they could continue with their goal: maximum short term economic gains at the peril of our natural resources and at the peril of the Nova Scotia our children and grandchildren are inheriting.
A true statement would be that "We will never EVER be able to give big business everything it demands and still be viewed by Nova Scotians as using our natural resources wisely."
Whether we know it or not, the wise use and protection of our natural resources is the most important issue facing the future of Nova Scotians. Though I never have before, this year I'm voting for the NDP, who tried twice during the last four years to pass legislation that would require a permit for large clearcuts, and that would outlaw indiscriminate/ unjustifiable clearcuts and the associated herbicide spraying. Both times Hamm's Tories quickly squashed these legislative bills. I think Hamm should find some way to make his living other than by selling out our future to industry.
I will not go so far as to call Hamm a liar; I will assume he is either naïve or a fool or he just hasn't done his homework. From what I can see, he has absolutely no grasp on what is good for Nova Scotia. Certainly Mr. Hamm owes Nova Scotians who care about their environment a huge apology, maybe even two apologies: one for stereotyping environmentalists, and another for his complete lack of ecological awareness and environmental concern during his (hopefully short) time as a premier.
DeLancey Bishop
Harvesting Contractor
Canning, Nova Scotia"

Pourtant, la forêt est la phase ultime de la nature, son état le plus stable. Ne serait-ce que pour ces quelques considérations, car il y en a beaucoup d'autres, je suis persuadé que nous volons à la nature plus de matière ligneuse qu'elle ne peut en produire. ll en va malheureusement ainsi pour presque toutes les richesses naturelles. Nous avons par conséquent la mission gigantesque mais vitale de combattre cette dégradation galopante. Je ne suis pas très optimiste, mais je me repose sur le principe que la conscience est le premier jalon et que ll'union fait la force.