It’s a sad day when a forestry company has to issue a court injunction against a group of citizens who are seeking to protect forest values. What has happened to the role of government to balance competing interests? Are crown lands supposed to be managed for multiple values?
We can do better. The technologies exist for detailed management of the landscape. This includes tree species, wildlife species, soil conditions, water and air quality. The same is true of our seascape. In other jurisdictions, it is no longer a race to the bottom. There are other values besides the $$$.
What needs to change?
- the accountability of government.
- the accountability of our educational institutions.
- citizen engagement.
We need a society which values our differences. That recognizes the richness of our landscape/seascape and its capacity to support a wide range of viewpoints. We should be a haven for different perspectives and points of view.
Southwest Nova Scotia did not embrace the biosphere reserve concept to see it ‘flushed down the toilet’ because of the inability of our government representatives to understand that society can uphold multiple values.
Let’s wake up! If not now, at least after the COVID pandemic is over. Indeed, now we have the time to think about doing things differently. If the politicians don’t understand it, then let’s change them. In turn, if the civil servants don’t understand it, then let’s change them. If educational institutions don’t understand it, let’s change the teaching and research agendas.
Perhaps, we could start by renaming the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry to the Nova Scotia Department of Landscape Ecology. A radical idea. Meaningless, unless there is a change in behaviour.
Ernest Blair Experiment 
Hi Bob, have you considered sending this to the Chronicle Herald? Jane
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Jane. I think my ‘rant’ will reach the necessary folks.
Will it lead to change ?
Bob
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