Thank you for the…

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy, Environmental Registry of Ontario number 019-0880. I would like to express my support for this proposal. The draft includes five important principles and four pillars of action to support more effective utilization of a sustainable resource, improving cost competitiveness, fostering innovation, and promoting stewardship and sustainability.

Forest management on Crown lands in Ontario is second to none in the world. It is important to support this sector and the sustainable use of forest resources. Of particular importance to the success of the Forest Sector Strategy (FSS) is the need to further promote stewardship within the province and around the world. The lack of understanding of forest ecosystems and sustainable management among the public and consumers of resources is one of the greatest risks to achieving a sustainable future. I believe the FSS should focus on improving public awareness of the positive approaches to 21st-century forest management and a better understanding of forest ecosystems and land tenure (and the consultation that supported current policy). I see the FSS as one of the most positive steps the Ontario government has undertaken since the Lands for Life / Living Legacy process, but the public needs to better understand our forests and policies.

One suggestion I have is to include more information and critical thinking in the school curriculum in relation to forests and sustainability. I have done many presentations to elementary and high school students, as well as teacher groups, and find the level of understanding is very low, and misconceptions are overwhelming. The content of course must be from reputable, science-based sources. The annual Teachers Tour that has been run by the Canadian Ecology Centre (Mattawa) for close to 20 years has been a huge success and provides an excellent template of the types of experiences and information that would help in the public's understanding of forests and sustainable management. I would like to ask that the respective ministries and educators work with organizations like the Canadian Ecology Centre, Forests Ontario, and the Canadian Institute of Forestry to develop specific educational initiatives in the province to ensure the people of Ontario are more knowledgeable and better able to participate in the forest management process and make informed decisions about the products they buy.