Striking Balance

Last Sunday, we saw two very different views of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Around noon, we joined the protest by Extinction Rebellion (XR) at their encampment near the Silver River Wilderness Area.

Along with fifty or so other citizens, we formed a human chain along the forest boundary. We were protesting the impact of forest harvesting on the mainland moose habitat. The area is designated crown land and forms part of the buffer zone between the core protected area, Kejimkujik National Park and the Tobeatic Wilderness Area, and the working landscape. The Biosphere Reserve covers five counties in Southwest Nova Scotia. The mainland moose is designated as a species at risk.

In the evening on TVO, they aired the documentary Striking Balance.

Season 2, Episode 9 presented the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. This one hour program showed numerous examples of invasive species (e.g. green crab, pickerel, woolly hemlock adelgid) in the region and the efforts, particularly by Parks Canada to control their spread. Other segments looked at sea level rise and coastal communities, lichens and acid rain, plus the development of an interactive digital atlas.

What was missing, was any reference to the forestry practices and their impact on wildlife habitat. In particular, the impact of clearcutting and spraying in the buffer zone. The buffer is made up of both crown land and private land ownership.

As we drove home from Digby County to Paradise (Annapolis County) we listened to the radio. There were interviews with the three candidates for leadership of the provincial Liberal party. They all made reference to the Lahey report and its implementation in 2021. As well, there was talk about revisiting the definition of ‘crown lands’. We must wait to see whether our government can find a better balance between ecological, cultural and economic sustainability.

Meanwhile, XR will continue to occupy their encampment. We are hoping for reform within the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry — a renewed respect for the forested landscape and the habitat of species at risk — by implementing the Lahey report recommendations, redefining of crown lands, and thus reducing the need for clearcutting and spraying.

Acknowledgements

Heather Stewart, Doug Hickman, Nina Newington and many others who support this worthy cause. Edward Wedler for his graphics contribution.

Reference

Striking Balance, tvo.org Season 2 Episode 8 Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve.

Footnote

Forest protectors from 30Nov2020 Encampment Update Note. Credit: Laura Bright.

MEDIA UPDATES
Latest coverage	Chronicle Herald – McNeil Turns Blind Eye to Endangered MooseNS Forest Notes – Follow the new logging roadsNS Forest Notes – Shanni Bee to Iain Rankin
Social Media	Blockade to Stop Clear-Cutting – Facebook Event pageStand up for Moose Country Rally – Facebook Event pagePhone Blitz – loggers have arrived – Facebook Event page
ACTIONS OF SUPPORT
Calling WestFor & Government	Show support for the blockade by calling the company in charge of the logging and the government.   WestFor main line: 9020-530-2362Marcus Zwicker (General Manager) 902-210-7073 communications@westfor.org See below for Derek Mombourquette’s contact information.
Letter Writing	Send a letter to the Minister of Lands and Forests and others to note your support for the blockade and request an immediate moratorium on all proposed and current logging on Crown lands from Fourth Lake south to the Napier River in Digby County.  The opinion piece by Bob Bancroft from the Chronicle Herald) Clearcuts squeeze out beleaguered mainland moose is a great resource you can use to help with crafting your letters.  Contact Info: Minister of Lands and Forests – Derek Mombourquette – Mindnr@novascotia.ca Halifax Main Office: (902) 424-5935Sydney Office: 902-562-8870Premier – Stephen McNeil – Premier@novascotia.ca  (902) 424-6600Minister of Environment – Gordon Wilson –  Minister.Environment@novascotia.ca (902) 424-3600Your MLA: https://enstools.electionsnovascotia.ca/edinfo2012/and contact info here: https://nslegislature.ca/members/profilesLeader of the Opposition – Tim Houston: pictoueastamanda@gmail.com (902) 424-2731Auditor General –  Terry.Spicer@novascotia.ca (902) 424-5907