Canada is making “reasonable” progress toward sustainable forest
management, but there remains a lot of work to do, a panel of experts
has stated after evaluating the National Forest Strategy Coalition’s
progress in the last five years.
“In 1992 it was clear that we were not making the most of forest
resources. Now there is evidence that Canada is moving toward sustainable
forest management. There are areas of tremendous progress, but there
are still some big holes,” said Gordon Baskerville, a UBC Forestry
professor who chaired the four-member panel.
The panel recently released its final evaluation report and Baskerville,
who will attend the coalition’s regional forum in Vancouver Sept.
8-9 at the Coast Plaza Hotel, said he expects that delegates attending
the forum will pay close attention to the detailed evaluation of
the coalition’s progress.
The coalition, formed in 1992 to promote sustainable forestry practices,
comprises more than 90 organizations across Canada representing
industry, government, environmental protection groups and academics.
Following its formation, the coalition made about 100 commitments
which together formed a five-year plan known as the Canada Forest
Accord.
The Vancouver meeting is one of several regional meetings across
Canada where coalition members will consider the evaluation report
and discuss strategic directions and objectives in anticipation
of the coalition’s national forum in Winnipeg in November.
The coalition plans to present commitments in a new five-year accord
in February 1998.
In its report, the panel cited several issues that require the
coalition’s special attention. They are: creating ways to allow
First Nations people to contribute more to sustainable forest management;
finding effective ways to measure sustainable levels of valued forest
components other than timber, such as wildlife populations; training
foresters in the rapidly evolving knowledge base needed to attain
sustainable forest management; and encouraging private woodlot owners
to embrace sustainable forest management practices.
Attending the Vancouver forum will be coalition Secretary André
Rousseau of the Canadian Forestry Service and coalition Chairman
David Neave of Wildlife Habitat Canada.
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