Why would we Log our Backyards?

Icel Dobell, Where Do We Stand.

The final public consultation about our community forests is happening now — our chance to make a profound difference not only for our own sake, but also for our Six Mountain Forests and future generations.

This month we are invited to speak out about UBC’s 4 forest management scenarios: Active or Passive Conservation, Status Quo Harvest (leaves 15%), or Reduced Harvest (leaves approx. 40%).

The logging scenarios are similar: Both patch clearcutting. Both destructive to ecosystems, biodiversity, root and mycorrhizal networks, watersheds, habitat, 141 species at risk, our recreational/ spiritual sanctuaries.

Both would happen on the Valley side of the mountains.

Both require the same amount of logging roads and culverts, while increasing wildfire risk, fragmentation, blow down, spread of invasive species, creation of wind channels, erosion, noise and disruption in and around our trails and neighbourhoods — logging trucks coming and going.

Where Do We Stand, the grassroots group of hundreds who started the forest campaign, supports the Active Conservation scenario — and here’s why.

The UBC report tells us that through carbon credits, over 30 years, Active Conservation will generate a net revenue of $35.1 million for the Municipality.

That’s $4.4 million more than Reduced Harvest and $3.8 million more than Status Quo.

Such are the benefits that accrue from carbon credits for leaving forests intact.

And, yes, while the revenues are highest for Passive Conservation, there are also some important failings.

Passive allows for no remediation of past damage through clearcutting, ignores fields of invasive species, and allows for nothing inspirational that we might imagine.

Under Active Conservation, our forests will double in volume to become invaluable assets, financially and ecologically — while avoiding the pitfalls of systematic clearcutting.

As for jobs, imagination reels with possibilities — through restoration, removal of invasives, remediation of old logging roads, thinning of tree plantations, and restoration of woodlands spiritually significant to the Quw’utsun.

Under Active Conservation, we can think outside the box, of visionary possibilities.

For instance, we could become a world destination for conservation studies, including ancient Quw’utsun knowledge, and an eco-tourism Mecca.

What about a Quw’utsun centre of traditional medicinal/ spiritual/forest knowledge, where all people could learn together? It’s a dream a Quw’utsun friend and I have shared for four years.

A healing centre isn’t on the table, but in Active Conservation it’s possible. UBC was clear, the scenarios are loosely defined, details to be worked out.

On the survey, we can submit our values, visions, hopes, dreams — including for future generations.

In 2018, hundreds of citizens shared a vision of ending the clearcutting of our community forest. We were told it would never happen, yet here we are.

So. Given the potential for jobs, revenue, fire-resistant mature forests, and the ecological reasons — healing our forests and uniting the Quw’utsun and North Cowichan in a common profound vision, to pass onto “seven generations,”why would we log our backyards?

The UBC report says we have over-logged the back country; if we continue to log, it will be around our homes, watersheds, trails, views.

And lest we forget: our community already spoke during the first round of consultation, the vast majority supporting ecosystems, recreation, viewscape protection, spiritual values, on and on. Above our Valley, the forests are rare, mature ecosystems, already functioning as old-growth — critically endangered Coastal Douglas- fir forests. If we leave them 30 years, they will be 100 years old.

Have you been in a 100 yearold, naturally-regenerated forest? It’s nearly old-growth.

On the Valley sides, our forests are not tree plantations. Many people don’t know the difference between a timber farm and a second-growth, naturally regenerated forest. So, WDWS made a short video/story for people to see with their own eyes.

You can see New Old Growth, the 4 scenarios, and everything you need to know about our forests to fill out the survey and attend a zoom meeting, plus all the links, on WhereDoWeStand.ca.

A final note to readers of the Valley Voice everywhere:

In our public consultation this month, all people in the province, and beyond, may fill out our forest survey.

Residents will take precedence — but hundreds of thousands of people visit our mountains to hike and bike, and then visit our markets, shops, restaurants, vineyards, and stay — so contributing to our community’s financial well- being.

As in the tradition of the Quw’utsun and all our early ancestors, nature is beyond ownership — so, like all forests, all voices matter.

Please spread the word: Together, we can raise our voices for Active Conservation of The Six Mountains, now.

www.wheredowestand.ca