From the Forest Gene…

From the Forest Gene Conservation Association: We have submitted many detailed comments within the format of the discussion paper which has been uploaded here and emailed to ESAReg@ontario.ca. Our detailed comments cover the gamut - from a landscape and species approach to effective government policy delivery to communications with the many SAR protection and recovery stakeholders. We have provided examples based on 25 years of work with the endangered butternut tree in our FGCA long term recovery program, including our experiences working with USA and Canadian researchers, forest industry, nurseries, forest consultants, thousands of landowners and dozens of ESA permit holders. Butternut has both benefited and been harmed by the MNRF administration of the ESA. The biggest issue is that MNRF cannot report on what the cumulative effect of 10 years of the ESA has been on butternut. This 10 year review is a significant opportunity to learn from both the benefits and the harm. There is a need to expedite economic opportunities where real overall benefit can be provided and proven, but to also expeditiously communicate to proponents when activities cannot proceed due to SAR effects. Overall MNRF and the public need to recognize that even an improved ESA is just one tool - not enough on its own to slow the loss of SAR and natural landscapes that is compromising the ecological services the people of Ontario need. The public need to hear this to be able to adapt their own activities and pressures on these landscapes.