It seems to me the Forest…

It seems to me the Forest Strategy Draft, as written, will further over exploit our boreal forest ecosystem and the birds and other wildlife that are dependent on a mature natural forest. The document is all about revenue from harvesting trees, reducing red tape (environmental protection), growing the forest faster (shorter rotations), harvesting more tree species and intensive forestry practices (more herbicides and thinning).
It is all about forestry jobs and revenue from wood products. There is no mention of jobs through tourism, and how Ontario plans to protect our forests for cross-country skiing, hiking, foraging, hunting and other forest-based recreation. Less forest will also affect our lakes and streams and the fish and waterfowl in them. Perhaps tree harvest has declined in some areas in Ontario but this is not the case in our area. Our forests are being depleted at an alarming rate and as a result the forest industry is harvesting stands of trees that are too young. The accelerated harvest of the Crown forest in the Dryden area is already impacting moose populations and boreal songbirds.

We need to protect real forest like Farabout Peninsula and allow young forest to develop into real forest with large diameter seed trees growing amongst new tree seedlings. This is called natural succession opposed to spraying herbicides, mechanical thinning and chipping forests before 80 to 100 years old depending on the forest stand. A natural real forest is full of diversity and self- thins over time. Industry doesn’t want to wait. Farming the trees, creating a monoculture, is harmful for wildlife and the whole ecosystem.

The plan needs to be revised to ensure some of our forests and lakes are protected, if this is true: “Living in Ontario means having the ability to fish, hunt, and enjoy world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. Ontario protects these values and promotes these activities and the economic opportunities they offer while continuing to be a world leader in managing Ontario’s natural environment for future generations.”

The Forestry sector needs to be held accountable for their forestry practices to ensure we meet the highest Canadian standards for environmental protection and sustainability.