Listen Now

Do we have a moral obligation to Nature? Most people extend moral standing to their family, friends, town, country, maybe as far as human species. What about beyond that? Animals? Sure, they have a nervous system and they can be cute. What about things that are nothing like us? Trees? Fungi?… Rocks? What universal force obliges us to act respectfully toward them? Does ethics even apply to rocks? Or was this just the tired ramblings of an overthinker? Listen and see… Resources Nathan Kowalsky Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 29.09 - 29.23: “That’s often how the respect ethic has accounted for larger ecosystemic problems, is by saying that there are other human beings that are affected.” Takeaways Out of doors (05.44) Nathan explains that many environmental writers prefer to say ‘out of doors’ instead of outdoors, to step away from the connotations of masculinity and related activities that the outdoors are usually associated with. Depth and profundity (13.55) Nathan defines philosophy as “the search for the meaning of things”. Philosophy helps us understand if things are meaningful and why, by posing helpful questions about meaning. It offers a rigorous process to get closer to answers. “Part of being a philosopher is being frustrated” (16.23) Nathan finds that philosophy attempts to answer questions that humans have always wondered about, and the process of finding the answers repeats over and over. The answers one comes across could be what work for them, but may not be the final answer. Moral frameworks (23.19) Morality, Nathan says, is about “trying to discover the answer to questions of human behaviour,” and is used interchangeably with ethics in philosophy. Harm minimization (utilitarianism) and respect (deontology) are two frameworks of ethics. If you believe you can or Kant (27.24) Immanuel Kant, the classical deontologist, believed that only rational beings could be the recipients of moral regard because they could reciprocate respect, which Nathan believes is a deeply anthropocentric position to take. How useful is utilitarianism? (31.49) Nathan talks about utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer’s theory that our circle of consideration must evolve to include non-human animals, but he also defines the limits of that circle. “If you are not having anxiety when you are philosophizing, you are not doing it right” (37.53) Nathan finds a sense of meaning in a sense of belonging in nature in a way that is embedded into what already exists. His identity comes from nature rather than in opposition to it. To him, respecting nature and its components is important. Mindfulness (53.12) Nathan believes that a person’s sense of connection with and belonging to nature may impact the outcomes of activities done in nature, but it will surely help them discover things about themselves. Thinking is piety (1.05.03) Nathan believes that the way in which we should relate to nature is to fit into a larger framework, so we can see ourselves as connected to nature, instead of as the center of the universe. Re-indigenizing the planet in the Anthropocene (1.20.07) Nathan laments the atrocities that were committed in the conquest of the land that has now come to be known as Canada. However, he finds hope in nature, that it is stronger than a culture can be.

How important are forests? How important is the wood we harvest from forests? The answer to both questions is - crucially important! We can imagine the role forests play in ecological function of the globe, but have you ever really considered where we would be without wood? The truth is we are dependent on both, and that is not going to change. In the re-release of his 1989 book “A Forest Journey” John Perlin explores the “Role of trees in the face of civilization.” Resources Forest Journey: The Story Of Wood And Civilization Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 16.08 - 16.17: “Wood being the primary fuel enabled our species to survive.” Takeaways John’s books (05.41) John’s first book delineates the history of solar energy to generate heat, which inspired him to study the importance of wood in doing so. His second book discusses how “we have misunderstood the underpinning of all cultures” based on the material that was deemed important in that age. The living planet (18.20) Archaeopteris, the first true tree, ensured the Darwinian evolution of terrestrial life. John’s book talks about how 130 million years later, an excess of carbon dioxide due to deforestation nearly caused all large life to become extinct.  Sustaining civilizations (24.55) Humans’ use of wood for fire, tools and cooking, allowed them to congregate for the development of language and storytelling. Fire also helped in hunting and made nighttime safe, while aiding in developing settlements and metallurgy-based technologies. Trees influence history (32.07) Greek mythology is based on fire, and the presence of wood defined the Greek empire. Masting timber was the first cause of conflict in the American colonies. Differences also developed over the use of wood between Indigenous Americans and settlers. The defeat of the British also occurred because of the lack of masting timber. We are living in a material world (49.08) John highlights that planks under roads are wooden, and ceramic needs fire to be created. Wood has been used to produce fire for countless applications in metallurgy, and there used to be entire economies based on wood. Trees protect (1.00.03) John explains how biodiversity is a natural barrier to diseases and removing forests removes predators of disease-causing organisms, which can lead to an epidemic or pandemic. On the flip side, what may be perceived as directly harming trees may in fact be harming another species that fertilizes the soil. “There’s nothing new under the sun” (1.11.07) John is constantly inspired to gather knowledge, collect ideas and accumulate information and share it through his books and lectures. He talks about opposing schools of thought in forestry and the anthropomorphization of and ageism against trees, causing misinformation to live in the world. The web of life (1.18.51) John was fascinated to learn that roots do most of the carbon sequestration by creating carbonates which go all the way down to the oceans, where they become locked in the limestone and help animals like mollusks and gastropods build their shells. Facing forward (1.21.52) John has faced flak for expressing his opinion on how all humans bear the responsibility for resource depletion and turning “the world into a wasteland”. His book explains how landscapes have been completely transformed over time due to deforestation.

Trees communicating? Protecting their offspring? Sending warning signals? Even helping “competing” species? These are some of the incredible things we have heard about the “Wood Wide Web”. But, is it true? Or has the story got ahead of the science? A team of mycorrhizal researchers has discovered some painful truths about these fungal connections we have all come to be fascinated with. Justine Karst breaks down the myths and misconceptions about Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMN), and the pain it caused her to do so. The first 50min is the science, the last 50min is the story behind it. Resources Justine’s Lab Justine’s paper Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 58.47 - 59.00: “If it makes you really mad, or if it makes you really happy, pause.” Takeaways The wood wide web (09.17) Justine talks about how the belowground transfer of carbon in the field is not conclusively proven to occur through a mycorrhizal network, what some call the ‘wood wide web’. A common mycorrhizal network is formed when roots of two different plants are physically connected by fungal tissue. Exploring functions (15.22) Only two studies in the world have done high-resolution sampling showing with high certainty that the same fungus links two roots of different trees. Mycorrhizal fungi are essential in forests, but the function of common mycorrhizal networks is inconclusive. Debunking myths (27.23) The paper that Justine, Melanie and Jason worked on evaluated some of the widely held assumptions about common mycorrhizal networks - that they are widespread in forests, their benefits to trees, and the communication of warning signals between trees through the networks. Not enough studies have been done to conclusively support these ideas, and the methods used are difficult to control for confounding effects. The truth (43.40) Justine, Melanie and Jason could not find any peer-reviewed, published field studies testing the claim that trees recognize their kin and send warning signals to them. One graduate thesis even proved those claims wrong. When they looked at how scientists interpret these claims, they found that nearly 50% of the papers today citing original studies made unsupported statements.  “We’re looking to nature for how society should behave or act” (55.50) While Justine wants to see people rethink their connections with nature, she does not want science to be distorted towards that end. Because of the misinformation about common mycorrhizal networks, the difference between possibility and established fact has blurred. “I’d rather know the truth than believe in a fairytale” (1.06.00) Justine acknowledges that her study may have burst the bubble for many but believes that the truth is helpful to all scientists. However, the lack of conclusive evidence on mycorrhizal common networks, in her opinion, does not devalue the conversations around species interactions. Critically engaging with feedback (1.13.12) Justine, Melanie and Jason’s study had three scientists sign the review, and their associating their reputation with the study was reassuring to her. The trio revised the manuscript based on their feedback and ensured it was thorough.

Against all odds, one species is making a comeback! Whitebark Pine! At the top of the mountain, where few other trees even try to survive, this species thrives. It is a keystone species that has developed a particularly peculiar way of spreading its young about the mountain side. Co-evolution anyone? If you like old trees, cool birds, species killing fungi, and most importantly, a story of hope, than this is the podcast for you! Resources Planting the Future: Saving whitebark and limber pine Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 1.12.12 - 1.12.20: “One of the most important things and hopeful things you can do is plant a tree under whose shade you won’t sit.” Takeaways Telltale signs of whitebark pine (9.42) Contrary to their name, whitebark pine barks are not white, but silver, and their thick canopy makes them look like broccoli tops. Their needles occur in bunches of five instead of two. Mutualism (15.52) The Clark’s Nutcracker opens the cones of the whitebark pine and stays healthy on its high-fat seeds. It has evolved a pouch under its tongue to store up to 90 seeds of the tree. Keystone and pioneering species (23.02) Brenda finds that the whitebark pine is important for many species of birds and small mammals. Prescribed fires could be beneficial to their survival. Whitebark pine proliferation (28.22) Amelie describes the Clark’s Nutcracker’s specialized beak, which can open the hard egg-shaped cones of the whitebark pine. The bird’s range is 12-28 km. “A species that gives back more to the ecosystem than it takes” (33.28) Brenda expects the subalpine ecosystem to be different with the loss of whitebark pine, a community on which many species rely. Threats to whitebark pine (41.18) Blister rust, the mountain pine beetle beetle, fire suppression and climate change are all threats to whitebark pine. 100 Tree Survey (50.59) Brenda’s role in Parks Canada is to help whitebark pine recover and survive. They visit 100 large-diameter trees in the stand in mast years and assess them for blister rust resistance. Developing infection resistance (56.50) Brenda’s team extracts the seeds from infection-resistant whitebark pine cones and sends them to nurseries to grow. Two years later, they take the seedlings back to the park to grow. Protecting whitebark pine from beetles (1.03.17) Brenda’s team applies 2 packets to the valuable whitebark pines every spring that send chemical messages to mountain pine beetles, which save 60% of the trees. “Everybody’s favourite day is planting day” (1.09.27) Brenda shares that there are 140 whitebark pines in Jasper National Park that they believe are resistant. It’s important to plant them at fair distances in microsites for protection. A video speaks a million words (1.14.29) Amelie is proud of the video that seven mountain parks in Canada came together to create to raise awareness of the whitebark conversation program and rust resistance. Do your part (1.19.49) Brenda is encouraged by how the video has inspired whitebark pine restoration efforts in Alberta and BC. Brenda believes that visiting the beautiful whitebark pine forests and supporting the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada are two ways in which each person can be a part of the conservation efforts.

Imagine a forest full of hardwoods (leafy trees). Then imagine towering sentinel Pines standing a full tree length above the rest. Now imagine a full forest of these Pines. That is what the North woods of eastern North America use to look like. Today, the Eastern White Pine is scarcely a remnant of what it use to be. The reason? It built America. A foundational tree in every sense of the word. White Pine is a keystone species, an ecological driver and one of the tallest, straightest, and fattest trees in the North woods. John Pastor came on the podcast to tell the human and ecological history of this species, and it truly opened my eyes. Resources White Pine by John Pastor Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 28.25 - 28.30: “More revenue was generated by harvesting white pine than all the gold in California.” Takeaways A foundational species (09.08) White pine is the largest tree in the Northwoods whose large biomass enables it to capture a lot of the sun’s energy that froze into the food web. It also allows it to control the cycling of nutrients through the food web by the uptake of nutrients and then shedding the needles. Cultural significance of white pine (12.39) John shares that Native Americans, particularly the Iroquois and the Algonquins (the Anishinabe) revered white pine. The Iroquois associate the 5 needle pines with the 5 original nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. High grading or forestry? (16.24) John acknowledges that logging helped people build homes, workplaces and bridges without importing. White pine is big and gave a lot of clear lumber, which could be cut into large sizes for large construction. “The tree that made North America” (28.31) New England colonists were not happy to share the lumber they harvested with England. The parliament passed laws marking white pines larger than 24” as reserved for the King, which resulted in a riot. What Nature means (38.53) “Europeans looked at natural resources as a commodity they needed to build civilization; First Nations looked at themselves as a part of nature”, John comments. They can choose not to share their stories (46.22) John is hopeful about the growing collaboration between foresters, ecologists and land managers and Indigenous Peoples. He cautions any white listeners not to demand Indigenous peoples share their stories. Magical mycorrhizae (59.48) John discusses mycorrhizae, the symbiotic relationships between plant roots and fungi. Mycorrhizae have helped restore white pine and protect forest cover. Fire protects forests (1.07.31) Thinning of young pines helped preserve the forest since the larger, older pines were more fire-tolerant due to their thick corky bark. This also helped people shift their perspective of fire. Ecological forestry (1.18.31) John agrees with the “save all the parts” philosophy but also sees the role timber plays in maintaining the sustainability of human populations. Many foresters today are mindful that their role is not to supply timber but to preserve the planet for future generations. An experiment in forest management (1.27.28) John believes that only successful forests which produce high-quality lumber are able to afford ecological silvicultural management of the forest. He discusses the difficulties in maintaining the different types of forests. Looking to the future (1.32.43) John summarizes that throughout history, each way of looking at forests has built upon and been added to the previous. Some views are coming into conflict now, but science will always take precedence when making decisions about the future of the forest.

Fire is many things; wild, controlled, rejuvenating, destructive, cultural, ecological, and most obviously, dangerous. Science writer Jacob Margolis lives in California where fire has become a constant worry. As a result, he plunged headfirst into the world of fire and came out with one of the best podcast series on fire that is available today. The Big Burn starts from the beginning and allows listeners to make sense of fire and to help them better understand, and therefore better cope with, the reality of fire. Resources The Big Burn podcast Jacob Margolis Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 28.40 - 28.50: “We clearly need a complete overhaul of how we handle fire and… forested ecosystems, especially here in the State of California.” Takeaways Knowledge is power (05.08) Jacob loves being a science journalist because he gets to dive deep into things that interest him. Since 2017, he has covered fire to help people understand it and make it “a little less scary”. Playing with fire (08.48) Before starting his podcast, The Big Burn, Jacob felt scared and upset with fires. He has now spent time weatherizing his home by buying air purifiers. The podcast helps him understand how to approach the problem of fire. Fire season (13.46) Jacob states that the fire season in California comes around late August, and stays till early December. The Santa Ana winds start in September - October, and they wait till the winds come to an end in April or they get rain. Tell me a story (16.21) Jacob’s journey of creating a podcast on fire was to find an angle that would appeal to the listeners, going from the threat of the loss of the giant sequoias to finding a middle ground with people who don’t like trees. “Fire is not binary” (21.30) The episode on doing a prescribed burn was the easiest for Jacob to write because of the action and how relatable it was due to the explanations in the episode. Fire exclusion and suppression (23.56) Jacob highlights that tree ring records show that fuel buildup in the forests began in the mid-1800s. This is when the gold rush took place, which devastated Indigenous communities who had been actively managing the landscape. How wildfires change ecosystems (26.05) With climate change came high-intensity fires. The chaparral ecosystem of California used to recover with longer fire intervals, but with more frequent fires, the ecosystem was replaced by grass. Indigenous land management (29.44) Jacob explains that Native Americans had a different perspective on and relationship with the land. He believes present-day land use and management policies are worth examining against the Indigenous framework. Managing prescribed fires (36.15) Jacob laments that there isn’t a robust enough system to handle a prescribed fire going awry, on the rare occasion that it does. There also isn’t much incentive for firefighters to be around prescribed burns. The good fire angle (49.48) By introducing the high stakes of not doing prescribed burning, you can get buy-in and start to shift the conversation. If people could attend a prescribed burn, it would make it more relatable.  Change is needed (1.00.40) Jacob is of the opinion that “how we treat our world is not working, especially when it comes to climate change”.

The old ways are changing. Technology moves fast, and with it our methods and strategies for managing the landscape. Artificial Intelligence, or machine learning, presents an incredible opportunity in forest management. Better and faster data means more time spent on other values. Values like biodiversity, clean water, carbon storage and recreation. Today we find out how far we have come and what lies ahead! Hopefully not Skynet… Resources Collective Crunch Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Takeaways Forest inventories (13.22) Christof notes that forest inventories came into being after the overuse of forest resources in the industrial revolution and the realization that those resources are not unlimited. Country-wide inventories began only 100 years ago, and he claims Nordic and central European countries were the forerunners in this matter. Forestry is an area where AI actually works (19.07) Christof points out that LIDAR is done in 5-10 year cycles since acquiring data is expensive. They enrich data using their software to fill the gaps, making it cheaper. Rolf shares an example of how data can help track biodiversity loss to keep corporates accountable for their processes and offer transparency of ethics to consumers. Data-driven baselining (27.52) Rolf discusses one of their services, data-driven baselining for project management and bringing data into greenwashing conversations. Christof highlights that AI helps with squeezing the most out of the available data in a project. Rolf recognizes the benefits of this for a large landmass managed by a single entity. The data you need (34.08) Christof lists the various tools to acquire data at various levels of granularity and mentions that their customer segment usually looks for the medium scale of data. He talks about how modern AI systems are based on extracting and learning from existing data, the relationships between the data and what you want to predict. Limits (39.24) Rolf finds that the kind of data available can be limiting while Christof says ground measurements can be a limiting factor. Where LIDAR exists, technology can be used to augment the data between flights. Valid and reliable (51.19) Rolf talks about how data can provide a verifiable and scientific way to manage forests, and they are trying to convince the industry to become data-driven for scale. Their company can provide baseline analysis to help investors who are looking to invest in carbon credits. The North American story (1.00.01) Rolf foresees the carbon price continuing to go up in North America, which may incentivize forest owners to leave forests unharvested. Christof has observed change management initiatives in government forest organizations to embrace the new ways of managing forests.  The data-driven future (1.10.08) Christof believes more and higher quality data is a matter of time. They are seeing exponential growth in data, and his dream is to have a digital equivalent of the world’s forest cover, which would expand the possibilities of forest planning and management for the most economically optimal operations. Rolf adds that higher-resolution data is needed for biodiversity initiatives, but that we are on our way there.

Public forests hold a lot of value for people. Clean water, fresh air, organic food, rich ecosystems, recreation opportunities, and timber for our homes. Now, it is forest professionals job to manage the public resource for these values. Only, how do we know what the public values? Have we asked? This episode is about social license, and the idea of a forest profession that is forever moving forward to better protect the public interest. Resources Association of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP) Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance The Myth of the Omnipotent Forester Has the Myth of the Omnipotent Forester Become the Reality of the Impotent Forester? Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 33.06 - 33.11: “Our inherent nature is to read and seek information that supports our bias.” Takeaways For the people (13.00) Carla defines the role of the regulator as protecting the public interest by ensuring foresters are qualified and pursuing continuing competence. In forestry, forest professionals are responsible to apply the values of the public in their work. She highlights the importance of ongoing public consultation, communication and relationship building. The forestry industry (23.40) Carla talks about how the industry is different today, with increased interaction with the public and the earning of social licences since most of what forest professionals do has a significant public impact. She encourages those looking to enter the industry to make the most of their time at school, selecting electives wisely and conducting informational interviews with professionals in the field to shine a light on their blind spots in the profession. She also celebrates reading about different perspectives in the field to broaden one’s horizons and ignite creativity. “One of the core foundations of ethics is continuing competence” (36.10) Carla laments that forestry has been accused of being stuck to old ways, but she finds foresters to be open and receptive. It is essential to be abreast with up-to-date science and apply it to one’s work, as due diligence. In the Friday notices she sends to all AAFMP members, she includes links to new information and Matt’s podcast. Lifelong learning (55.33) The continuing competence program is defined by the AAFMP council and is regularly reviewed. The intent is to move away from hours-based programs to competence profiles, which can lead to career growth. Carla gives the example of the Forest Technologist Standards they developed, which include soft sciences and an Indigenous component. Being open (1.02.23) Carla believes curiosity forms a large part of successful competency training. When one approaches Indigenous consultation from a place of inquiry, it prevents missing the big pieces of the conversation. She shares how AAFMP revised their exam to better help entrants in the field. “Public interest is a moving target” (1.12.00) Carla believes in encouraging people to be a part of the process of this self-regulated profession and to volunteer for committees that help make it what it is. She explains how her work involves balancing the interests of the bulk of the people with protecting minorities and being fair to the fringes of the profession.

Good Fire podcast is back! This is a bonus episode where we get to listen to the very knowledgeable, very passionate, and very engaged Bhiamie Williamson. We talk about cultural fire in Australia and the difference between western and Indigenous perspectives on fire, and our relationship to it. Episode highlight In this podcast, Bhiamie Williamson discusses the connection of Indigenous peoples to the land, and how cultural burning is a way to preserve the environment and cultural heritage. Resources Strength from perpetual grief: how Aboriginal people experience the bushfire crisis Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements Sponsors The Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire Science Support from: ●       California Indian Water Commission ●       Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation Quotes 12.00 - 12.10: “There is so much trauma in our communities, people have never had the opportunity, I feel, to kind of pick themselves up and dust themselves off from colonization.” Takeaways Fire is a shared resource (5.58) As an Aboriginal child growing up in Australia surrounded by his culture, Bhiamie “always had a love for country”. He studied environmental and political sciences at university, and discovered the benefits of cultural burning. Land is at the center of healing (11.26) Bhiamie points out that fire plays an important role in Indigenous healing practices. Cultural burning can also prevent wildfires, thus preventing the trauma of losing ancestral lands. Sharing the load (19.04) Bhiamie has written an article that has inspired governments and agencies to provide trauma-informed support to Aboriginal peoples after natural disasters. The land is a living museum (24.42) Bhiamie informs that Aboriginal peoples have connections to land, and the animals, trees, stones, and petroglyphs are all part of the cultural heritage. “The best form of protecting is prevention” (30.22) Bhiamie recommends engaging Indigenous peoples in emergency management and prevention conversations which can help in high-pressure conditions. “Think ahead and be happy to be unsettled” (38.37) Bhiamie comments on the impacts of colonization and “centuries of oppression”, and the need to overturn it. True reconciliation (46.59) Bhiamie expresses his preference to have Indigenous peoples design their own emergency management programs across different lands in Australia. Children of the future (59.19) A majority of the Aboriginal population is young, which brings up the need to provide educational and developmental support along with family and social support. “It’s just not good enough to ignore us anymore” (1.02.37) Bhiamie observes that even when Indigenous peoples are invited to share their opinion, they are marginalized, with tokenized opportunities that contain the impact they can have. Indigenizing masculinity (1.08.41) Bhiamie’s Ph.D. research is on Indigenous men and masculinity, exploring masculinity from an Indigenous perspective. “You can call that decolonization, I just call that common sense” (1.14.13) In Bhiamie’s opinion, the first step to decolonization is to employ Indigenous peoples in senior roles. Land justice and repossession by Indigenous peoples, as well as cultural burning to manage climate change, are the next steps. You can get in touch with the hosts of this podcast via email: amy.christianson@canada.ca and yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

Many of us have heard of invasive species. We may even know a few species that are wreaking havoc in your local area. You have heard the doom and gloom of extinct species and ecosystem collapse. However, have your heard the success stories? How people have successfully managed to reclaim native landscapes and return species from the brink of extinction? Well, this is the good news story for you! We talk invasive species eradication on islands, and what we can learn from it. Resources Wes Jolley Dena Spatz Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Quotes 46.02 - 46.12: “Eradications are not just done by one group of people; it is an incredibly collaborative effort that really comes from the people that live on the islands first.” Takeaways “Biodiversity is concentrated on islands” (18.55) Dena differentiates between non-native species, a species that has been introduced outside of its native range, and invasive species, a non-native species that causes harm to that ecosystem. Island species (22.25) Dena highlights that island species lose their defences. Islands are hotspots for endemism, which makes them epicenters for extinction. The human element (27.14) Humans are carriers of invasive species, inhabitants of the island, creators of its culture and the victims of damage by invasive species. Invasive species cost over a trillion dollars (32.00) A one-time action and then opportunities for human-assisted recovery create a long-term sense of biosecurity through financial and conservation investments. Nuanced conservation (41.15) A value-based conservation approach considers the broader benefits of biodiversity restoration, like increasing productivity in surrounding areas. Collaborative and holistic efforts (45.57) Dena highlights the importance of recognizing the values and needs of the community where eradication efforts take place. The local community is mindful of preventing invasive species from coming to their islands.  Considerations in conservation efforts (52.11) Together, Pacific Rim Conservation and Island Conservation are creating ways to ensure restoration after the eradication of invasive species and build predator-proof fencing to prevent further invasions. Global conservation efforts (1.04.29) The Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications brings to light all the invasive species eradications and conservation efforts around the world over time.  “We can only do what we have the tech to be able to do” (1.10.42) Dena knows there is a lot more work to be done but that there are tools and information available to make it possible. The cost of harm by invasive species is a big driver for change. It’s raining iguanas! (1.18.30) Dena shares some examples of translocating native species to restoration sites instead of completely eradicating invasive species, sharing some techniques used and the behaviour pattern of the seabirds involved. Taking a leaf from the island book (1.27.17) Dena highlights that islands are insular systems due to their geographic separation by water, but the lessons from island conservation efforts can be applied to other insular areas like mountaintops. Proactive control (1.32.53) Dena acknowledges that a globalized economy with its import-export trade and travel brings with it invasive species. There are political controls in place to ensure biosecurity and protect agriculture and the economy.

In Honour of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada I am re-releasing one of my favourite episodes. Assistant Professor Matthew Wildcat breaks down the history and meaning of Canadian Treaties with Indigenous people. He explains that we are all treaty people and that everyone has a role to play in upholding the rights and freedoms treaties represent. Resources Matthew Wildcat Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Damaged Timber Quotes 1.29.25 - 1.29.37: “In the Canadian situation, what decolonization means is that you have to shift from becoming somebody who is a colonizer to somebody who is a treaty partner.” Takeaways Governance (5.14) Matthew is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Native Studies at the University of Alberta, interested in how Indigenous peoples govern today. Laws (10.01) First nations politics cannot be spoken about without addressing its relationship with Canadian society. Two-way (17.13) Treaties are the nuances of the relationship Indigenous peoples share with settlers. Foundation (21.22) Understand treaties as the reason for Canada’s creation, to prevent it from devolving into a story of conquest. Symbiosis (29.09) Hudson’s Bay Company relied on Indigenous peoples to perform their fur trade and sell them food. Bison (32.57) Bison herds were collapsing, which were the pillars of Indigenous economies and food. Signing (35.36) Not many Indigenous peoples spoke English, but many non-native people spoke Cree. Indigenous peoples used interpreters during negotiations, but a lot was lost in translation. Understanding (38.32) Indigenous peoples did not look to draw boundaries but expected that their permission be sought before sharing land. The Indian Act (43.24) The Indian Act was meant to enfranchise native people to become “full Canadian citizens” so there would no longer be “an Indian problem”. Dishonouring (48.10) The Riel Resistance of 1885 was bubbling with the general discontent with treaty terms not being honoured. Barriers (54.30) Many policies implemented by the Department of Indian Affairs undercut Indigenous farming efforts. Trauma (1.00.43) The ever-present trauma that residential school survivors suffer from makes life difficult. Reserves (1.04.02) Reserves isolate people and prevent communities from linking. Many Indian agents disallowed people to leave the reserve without a pass. Difficulty (1.09.33) Residential schools not only affected the students, but also the parents who had to live without children on their reserves. he can see how addictions could arise in such situations. Relationships (1.15.05) The most important aspect of this era is a willingness to have a relationship with Indigenous peoples, with their variety of life experiences and views. Allyship (1.21.13) As treaty partners, we all have to believe that Indigenous peoples have political rights, which will form the basis of the political relationships between us. Partnership (1.26.07) We have to put more effort into thinking about how Indigenous peoples will prosper and become true treaty partners in recognizing the political relationship. Change (1.36.12) The concepts of truth and reconciliation have allowed non-Indigenous peoples to tie the current situation of Indigenous peoples with its historical reasons.

Cultural Fire is something we have discussed quite a lot on this podcast. Today, we get to hear from some folks in Parks Canada about how they will be opening up the door to cultural fire. Some really open minded and thoughtful people at Parks have made it possible for Indigenous voices to be heard and for real change to be made. Getting Good Fire back on the land, in a place that is synonymous with “wilderness”, is a huge step in the right direction for understanding our relationship to land. Resources A Time For Burning by Henry Lewis United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Forest Proud Quotes 27.02 - 27.08: “If we look at cultural burning just from a fire perspective, you are missing the whole picture about… mental health and other things.” Takeaways Cultural burning differences (11.02) Each Indigenous community burns for different reasons, using different techniques. Impact of colonization (12.26) Cultural burning was carried out till settlers brought in fire exclusion policies. Truth and reconciliation (13.30) Parks Canada is honest about its history of removing people from the landscape. Relearning cultural burning (15.30) Amy began learning the importance of fire on the landscape from Métis Elders. Creating more fire-keepers (19.18) There is a need to train more Indigenous peoples to become fire-keepers. Prescribed vs. cultural burning (21.54) Amy points out that prescribed and cultural burning are not the same.  Using cultural practices on the land (25.33) It can only be up to Indigenous peoples to define cultural burning and come into Parks Canada to do that. Making meaningful strides with reconciliation (33.18) Pierre’s ex-wife is Miꞌkmaq and he is inspired to bring back their cultural practices, like burning, to the land to maintain ecological integrity for his 2 daughters. Indigenous ways of knowing (41.34) Indigenous peoples feel frustrated by fire policies that were created by non-Indigenous people who had no connection to cultural burning. Long road ahead (45.05) Some challenges in bringing Indigenous knowledge into the mainstream are official processes, oral records, cultural appropriation and multiple land claims. Enabling Indigenous collaboration (47.25) Amy has been brought in as a dedicated resource to help fire managers remove barriers to Indigenous participation with Parks Canada. Programs, people, personalities (52.21) Amy is working on a cultural burn program, a series of workshops, associated field trips, and coordinating with the Métis nation on re-writing fire policy and conducting workshops. Removing barriers (1.01.00) Amy assessed the barriers to managing fire and claims there is work to be done to remove those. Knowledge keeping (1.06.00) Involving Indigenous communities and Elders keeps the knowledge protected so they can burn with support from Parks Canada. Looking ahead (1.14.00) Recent fires have made people nervous to put fire back on the ground, but researchers have affirmed its need.  Be a good ally (1.18.18) Being a good ally is “using your power to make space for Indigenous peoples”.

Wildfires and Climate Change… what a combo. Dr. Susan Prichard came on the show to talk about how we might start to adapt our forests to the impacts of a changing fire regime due to a rapidly changing climate. What tools and methods can be used to help mitigate some of the most dangerous aspects of the fire reality we live in today. Episode highlight In this episode, Susan Prichard talks about using prescribed burning as a way to prevent runaway wildfires and manage climate change. Resources Dr. Susan J Prichard Adapting western North American forests to climate change and wildfires: 10 common questions Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Damaged Timber Forest Proud Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 16.24 - 16.35: “Indigenous knowledge persists and… Indigenous people throughout western North America had a really good handle on living in fire country.” Takeaways At the cusp of management and research (04.28) Susan thinks of herself as a forest ecologist more than a wildfire ecologist. Wanting to be the best scientist she could be has inspired her throughout her career. The case for adaptive management (07.42) Susan is interested in adapting forests to a warmer climate. She’s been noticing similarities in fire intensity increases, fire loss patterns and fuel loading. Active management of wildfire (14.00) Susan notes that there are polarized views even in forest ecology. She highlights the need for active management of wildfires. The change conundrum (20.29) Susan describes how forests have changed due to the loss of Indigenous fire tending and how climate change is impacting the nature of fire. Balancing priorities (27.02) Susan talks about how “management is always very place-based” and that some tools work in certain places, not others. Thinning vs. burning (29.23) Susan observes that prescribed burning works well to clean up the fuels that carry high-intensity fire. Combined with thinning, it helps forests achieve more drought tolerance. The rewards of patience (35.04) Susan has noticed burn crews practice patience so that fire can be restorative instead of aggressive. She also respects firefighting crews for the work they do in wildfire incidents. Broker a new reality with fire (45.47) Susan’s “number 1 priority for society is to cap greenhouse gas emissions”, though we would still be living in a warm or dry climate. Fire and smoke-adapted (49.36) Susan talks about how people are using indoor air purifiers to be prepared for the next smoke event, to protect themselves from volatile organic compounds. Fire-wise and Fire-smart (53.36) Even though it is difficult for fire-impacted communities to deal with more smoke, there is an increased acceptance of prescribed burning. Communities are learning from one another about cultural burning too, and Susan hopes to do her part as a good ally to empower Indigenous voices to be a part of land management decisions. A can-do attitude (1.02.31) Supportive management, tolerance for mistakes and a certain risk appetite help fire stewardship, which will prevent any runaway wildfires. “Prescribed burning gets an excelled report card” (1.10.45) Susan states that prescribed fire escapes are less than 1% in the USA. She wants prescribed burners to be as supported and appreciated as firefighters are.

That’s right, logging Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. Blasphemy you say? We have to protect the resource! We have to keep it “pristine”, “untouched”, “wild”! Well…you are not alone in that thought. However, we are now realizing that maybe “letting nature take care of itself” is not the best strategy. Time to think outside the box. Jasper had a problem, they took a risk, and a lot of people learned a lot of neat things. Resources Canfor Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Damaged Timber Forest Proud Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 1.14.49 - 1.14.57: ”The more collaboration and… open and honest work that you can do with people upfront, the better off the project’s going to be.” Takeaways Then and now (04.56) David speaks of the change in perspective from putting fires out in the early 1900s to shifting to Indigenous fire management and how fire protects the forest. Reducing fire risk (07.11) David’s team began considering removing the fuel load from Jasper National Park mechanically to reduce fire risk in the community. Protecting the community (11.34) David mentions that logging in a national park has become more common to deal with fire risks in the community. Landon recounts the history of logging in Jasper National Park. Doing right by the people (25.43) They wanted the logging to be at the lowest cost to the public, so they used the value of the wood logged to cover the cost of the project. They picked Canfor for their ecological focus. The right people for the job (32.19) Kari knew Canfor had the right equipment and experience from working on different projects with different organizations. Kari also has extensive experience and education in ecology. The top two objectives (37.59) The two objectives - to reduce the canopy fuel density to reduce the risk of severe wildfire and to maintain ecological integrity, were equally important to David and Landon. Wins and challenges (40.29) Kari describes the equipment, season and process used which protected the ground from disturbance. Protection and forestry (44.20) For Jasper National Park and Canfor, arriving at a common point of view and language was a necessary undertaking to achieve goals in time. Finding the balance (55.45) Those involved with this project wanted to leave a good legacy, to have the soil be as unaffected as possible while logging. Canfor suggested some procedures in order to do so. The know-how (1.02.18) Shelley viewed the logging project as a good fit for her to take on, given her experience navigating the complexities of contractual agreements and speaking the loggers’ language. Finding a way out (1.06.35) Shelley believes in the non-prescriptive approach with loggers so new possibilities can show up for both ecological and economical sustainability to be achieved. The memories etched onto the land (1.10.45) Different parts of the landscape are meaningful to different people, and balancing that with the economics of the task is challenging, Kari acknowledges. The path forward (1.18.56) Some areas of Jasper National Park are marked for Indigenous partners to use for ceremonies and gatherings. Reducing fire risk in the area is part of a continuing conversation to bring cultural burning back on the land.

Bear safety information is more riddled with opinions and ego than twitter. Guns vs spray, brown bears vs black bears, run vs play dead, climb a tree vs run down hill. Let the science of bear safety clarify things for you. Kim Titchener has nearly 2 decades of working with bears doing research, education, and even babysitting the big furry animals. She lays the groundwork and dispels the myths you have been hearing your entire life. Clarity is found here. This is not your fathers bear safety tips. Resources Bear Safety & More Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Damaged Timber Forest Proud Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 9.59 - 10.05: “It shocks me… the grace at which these animals let us continue to live with them.” Takeaways Finding her bearings (05.13) Kim’s family, early jobs and education set her on the path of working with bears.  Bear safety and more (12.41) Kim helps industries create courses on safety with black, grizzly and polar bears. However, she has to prove her expertise as a woman, using science and experience. Things Kim can’t bear (17.22) Kim laments that people still think they can outrun a bear or climb a tree to escape. She points out that guns cannot be loaded and shot precisely as bear sprays can. Bearing the brunt (21.32) The media blames bears for any mishap, but Kim highlights that most of the time, it is the people’s fault, and she believes the media needs to be mindful of its narrative. Bear necessities (31.15) Be loud, carry bear spray, stay in large groups, and don’t leave children unsupervised or dogs unleashed. Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn, and never approach a bear! Every season is bear season (40.53) Kim’s course teaches about bears’ seasonal behaviours and what they feed on at different times of the year, so you can be mindful of those plants. Defensive bears (42.21) If you run into a bear with cubs or a carcass or if you surprise a bear at close range, they become defensive, huffing, jaw popping, paw pounding, foaming and drooling. Back away. Bear down (48.41) If a defensive bear is not appeased by your backing away and charges toward you, use your bear spray. If you do not have any or can’t spray it in time, drop to the ground and play dead. Bare your teeth! (52.50) Kim warns against playing dead in a predatory attack! Instead, use bear spray and fight back. Hit the bear with rocks or branches in their eyes or nose. Not your average bear (57.38) Predatory bears show different signs than defensive bears - they will approach you in any pattern - directly, zig-zag or appear next to you. They may pull their ears back sometimes. No use bearing arms (1.06.18) Bear bangers can further aggravate a defensive bear or go off behind them, causing them to charge toward you. Many gun encounters have led to the loss of human lives. Bear spray for the win! (1.14.27) Bear spray inflames the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and skin, causing involuntary eye closure, making the bear cough, gag and have difficulty in breathing.

Our forests are being stolen! One tree at a time! And it can all be blamed on poverty. After logging towns are surrounded by protected areas and all of the industry has stopped, what are the people who have created a life there for generations supposed to do? It is their identity, who they are, it is all they know, logging, and it has been taken away. Some of those desperate people continue to do what they know, and it is costing the rest of society dearly. Resources Lyndsie’s profile Lyndsie’s book Pre-order now! Sponsors West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Forest Proud: https://forestproud.org/ Quotes 32.43 - 32.52: “Because old growth is a carbon sink,... For an old growth to be stolen has quite an impact on the environment and a forest’s ability to adapt.” Takeaways Tree sleuthing (8.43) The first time Lyndsie heard about tree poaching was when one of the largest red cedars in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island was poached in 2012. Following the trails (17.21) On Vancouver Island, Lyndsie shadowed natural resource officers and discovered that old growth douglas fir and cedar are the most poached there. Drugs and poaching (21.33) There is widespread drug use in the poaching community, so the poacher takes the wood directly to the drug dealer. The damage (29.24) In the USA, poaching of forest service land is valued at 20 million dollars a year, accounting for 1 in 10 felled trees being poached, which has reduced the amount of old growth left. The person, the poacher (34.15) The poachers shared the challenges of living in a community that never recovered from stopping industrial logging in their interviews with Lyndsie Lumber families (37.49) Lyndsie shares that one of the towns she went to had families who had moved there for logging and saw it as a part of their lineage and identity. Revenge poaching (50.25) In the pacific northwest, logging towns that were once stable economies degenerated into hubs of unemployment, homelessness and drug use after logging was stopped. Million missteps (56.05) Lyndsie believes that the poachers need to be listened to and systems changed since many mistakes have been made over the history of conservation to lead to this place. Multinational economy (1.01.01) Lyndsie found some similarities in her research in Peru and BC. Immediate financial security from poaching has taken away from the consequences of reducing old growth. Whose land? (1.05.29) Hiring people in desperate poverty to poach a tree on a foreign land who may not question what they are being asked to do, damages the Indigenous people’s ancestral property. Trees changing hands (1.09.39) Lyndsie outlines the many places a tree goes when it is poached, and how difficult it is for investigators to intercept the process, due to its transport process and proving the source. Community (1.19.01) There is a community forest right outside Lyndsie’s door and she sees community forests as providing a way to conserve that also incorporates use. A perfect storm (1.25.58) A poacher acknowledged that the history of clearing land in North America is associated with disenfranchising Indigenous peoples.

Forests suck up roughly 30% of our carbon emissions annually. If we want a fighting chance against climate change, we need them to keep doing this, and if possible to suck up more. However, there are different theories as how to best manage forest for carbon storage. Luckily, some research has shed some light on this issue. Do new forests suck up more carbon than old? How does carbon released during a forest fire compare to carbon released during harvesting? How do we do the most good for the most people? Resources Sierra Club Sponsors West Fraser GreenLink Forestry Inc. Damaged Timber Forest Proud Quotes 1.01.34 - 1.01.44: “We know that forests can be a missing piece of… the things we could do to combat climate change.” Takeaways Forest service: then and now (12.11) Jim narrates the history of logging and construction in US forests, which inspired the conservation movement in the late 1800s. Canada and USA differences (16.45) Jim outlines the differences between Canada and the USA: Canada has less people but more public forest estate and uses less wood. Determine where to conserve nature (24.15) Bev has been involved in various aspects of global carbon cycle research for over 30 years to understand the role of forests in taking carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon density and biodiversity (28.00) Bev’s team’s research showed that where carbon density was higher, so was biodiversity. They modelled future carbon accumulation under future climate conditions. Forest carbon accounting (32.40) Afforestation increases forest carbon 10 times more than reforestation, and a young forest takes the “slow in, fast out” approach in restoring carbon balance. “Greatest good for the greatest number” (37.59) While private industrial lands are managed for economic value, public forests, particularly old growth ones, should be managed for carbon sequestration. Reexamining forest management practices (42.37) Jim shares his experience working with the forest of the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990s when the northern spotted owls became endangered, which stopped the massive logging. “The environment is the people at large” (49.15) Jim’s book, Toward a Natural Forest, expounds his views on managing climate change and meeting natural resource needs by restoring the character of mature and old growth forests. Strategic forest reserves (1.00.34) Alex proposes thinking along the lines of creating executive action for old growth and mature forests’ direct mapping, cataloguing and conservation. Measure twice, cut once (1.06.46) Bev discusses her research around carbon stocks in mature and old growth forests. Maturity of different species and fire intensity of the forests impact forest management approaches. Captain Planet (1.17.14) Bev would like to protect species biodiversity and drinking water sources, and prevent extinction on federal lands. “With fire, it’s one size does not fit all” (1.20.32) Bev speaks about the considerations in fire and forest management and how fire impacts different types of forests differently. Hold onto the forests and grow more (1.27.25) Jim clarifies that prescribed burning only causes 2-3% of carbon to be lost to the atmosphere but the forest soon recovers and starts sequestering carbon again. Review this podcast, share it on Instagram and Facebook, and give us your feedback!

How can we build a relationship with forests that everyone can be proud of? How can we stand up for forests while supporting human development? How can we be a part of forest climate solutions? We need public engagement! Forest Proud can help with that. We talk forests as climate solutions, forest values, tree data, and my favorite, tree equity! Sponsors West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Forest Proud: https://forestproud.org/ Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 06.02 - 06.06: “If you live, work or play with forests or forest products, we think you are part of the climate solution.” Takeaways Forest climate solutions (05.44) Rae is Director, Partner Experience at Forest Proud, a non-profit supporting forest climate solutions by championing sustainable forestry and helping people establish a symbiotic relationship with forests and forest products. Everyone, from those who enjoy forests to those who work with forests, has a part to play in stewarding forest climate solutions. Tell me your story (9.11) Forest Proud helps different parties working with forests tell their stories to each other to see how they form a cohesive whole. They also find content that is relevant to forest management and bring them into social conversations to support climate solutions. They also dig deeper into conversations already taking place to help inform and educate about the cycle of forest management. Education and information to inform solutions (12.38) Rae talks about how people’s perceptions of forestry can be varied and shaped by the media. and believes that everyone can be a part of forest climate solutions. Lead with pride (17.40) Rae recommends sharing the passion foresters feel and how they are a part of the solution, to help others see how they can contribute to climate solutions through their own actions. Rae believes “that ability to feel plugged into something bigger than us is something that is missing“, which stories can provide. Be the change (22.03) Rae studied social sciences at university and enjoyed activities like hiking, hunting and fishing. Rae worked in data collection and communication for the social sector for 5-6 years, observing the impact of forests on anti-poverty data. Doing tree planting and advocacy on the side, Rae found forestry to be an ideal career to combine people-based solutions with environmental solutions. #forestproud (33.01) Forest Proud has created an online community of people advancing forest solutions through #forestproud. Forest Proud can help craft your message in a way that is relatable to different people at different stages of environmental concern and contribution. Tree equity (48.12) Rae defines tree equity as having enough trees in any locality so that all residents can enjoy the benefits of trees - health, economic, recreational, and emotional. There should be at least 3 trees for every person to enjoy.

Plant a tree. Plant another tree. Plant 1,999,999,998 more. That is what Canada is planning to do in the name of fighting climate change. 2 Billion trees planted by 2030. The Canadian Forest Service estimates that by 2050, the 2 billion additional trees planted could reduce GHG emissions by up to 12 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) annually – the equivalent of taking over 2 million gasoline-powered cars off the road each year. If that is not a big deal, I am not sure what is. Today we talk with representatives from The Canadian Forest Service(Government), Coast to Coast Reforestation (Nurseries), and Project Forest(Afforestation and Silviculture) to try and cover all the angles of this monumental task. Resources Anne-Hélène Mathey: https://sustain.forestry.ubc.ca/people/former-students/doctorates/dr-anne-helene-mathey/ Mike Toffan: https://projectforest.ca/team/mike-toffan/ Scott Formaniuk: https://treetimeservices.ca/about/our-team Braiding Sweetgrass: https://www.amazon.ca/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge/dp/1571313567/ref=asc_df_1571313567/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293014842916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6906331647491887417&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001251&hvtargid=pla-625520155112&psc=1 Quotes 20.56 - 21.01: “You don’t just plant any trees anywhere. You have to have the right tree, the right place.” Takeaways Progress statistics (13.25) 2 billion dollars have been allocated to the 10-year 2 Billion Trees program, beginning in 2021. Over 30 million trees of 50 species have been planted in 1 year across 500+ Canada sites. Right tree, right place (19.34) Anne-Hélène shares that tree planting is a challenging process. She envisions supply chain issues with seed collection, timing, and species that can adapt to the location’s climate. Planting logistics (25.34) Anne-Hélène discusses the option for multi-year contribution agreements in the program, wherein planting organizations become partners for a set number of years. Biodiversity benefits (30.05) Anne-Hélène would like to work in partnership with Indigenous groups, municipalities and private organizations. Trees must be planted on ecologically sound lands. Human benefits (38.19) In his experiences engaging the Indigenous communities, Mike has seen a “real, meaningful impact”. Planting a tree can be an enjoyably unique way to interact with nature. Planting impacts (44.42) Anne-Hélène is motivated by the progress the program has made the impact it has had on different communities. Mike ran a ‘Submit Your Tree Story’ contest, revealing impacts. Location decisions (49.33) Anne-Hélène mentions that they are working with wildlife service partners towards ensuring planting sites that will be most beneficial to support habitats and wildfire reduction. Planting partners (56.44) Scott highlights the importance of working with partners and forestry professionals to assess areas for planting based on the effects of burns. Empowering nurseries (59.33) Anne-Hélène speaks about training applicants who are not professional foresters and the infrastructure-style investments for nursery expansion. Tree talk (1.07.11) Anne-Hélène looks to those in the supply chain for feedback and to point the way forward for the next 9 years, addressing the climate and biodiversity challenges. The bigger picture (1.17.52) Anne-Hélène laments that the program is restricted to the 10-year timeline; communication will be paramount to keep course-correcting through this time frame.

What would forestry look like if Indigenous cultural values were the driving force behind management decisions, instead of western values? How would it be different? What would it mean to put timber as a secondary priority to ecosystem health? What if the primary intention of harvesting was to accomplish some ecosystem goal? What happens to the ecosystem? The community? The money? Let’s find out. Resources Westbank First Nation: https://www.wfn.ca/ Sponsors West Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Giveaway Enter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount! Quotes 11.22 - 11.34: “I really want to be that voice for the trees, the voice for the land itself, the voice for the water, and all the things that haven’t had a voice up until this point or a limited voice at the very least.” Takeaways Dave’s forestry journey (4.24) Dave has recently gotten the opportunity to work with Westbank First Nation on their community forest. This has changed how he thinks of forestry and land. Jordan’s forestry journey (09.24) Jordan, a member of the Westbank First Nation, has been elected to the council since 2019. He works with the community forest using a stewardship value approach.   “The work on the land is healing for our people” (16.27) Jordan says that working in the community forest is a way for Indigenous people to re-establish the connection to the land that colonization took from them.  Decision-making based on what the land wants, not what regulations want (18.12) Dave acknowledges that every member of the ecosystem is interconnected. He regularly seeks feedback on forestry initiatives from diverse members of the community. Active healing comes with honest discussions (23.54) Jordan sees the opportunity for community forest members to work with the industry as a form of reconciliation and relationship building. Upholding and incorporating Indigenous values (27.48) Jordan feels that by helping foresters protect the lands by sharing Indigenous land values and laws, First Nations members can affect political change.  “The worst plan you can have is the plan you can finish” (35.04) Dave shares that land plans evolve constantly as more knowledge is added by community members about different portions of the community forest. Connection and responsibility (41.37) Jordan adds that stewardship springs from our responsibility to recognize Indigenous land rights as well as the implications one decision has on another aspect of the land. 7 generational planning (48.00) Dave talks about basing all their forest management principles on the 7 generation planning framework, which considers the impact on the land for 7 generations to come. WFN Management (1.03.16) Dave explains the structure of the Westbank First Nation community forest management, licensing agreements and economic model. However, he maintains that “ensuring the land is cared for” in the best interest of the community is more important than profits. Knowledge beyond the books (1.17.04) Dave states Indigenous and non-Indigenous local knowledge is needed when working with any land, which is gained by conversing with those who have an intimate connection with the land.