Comments on MNRF Vision…

   Comments on MNRF Vision and Mission:

  I’ve spent over thirty years hunting, fishing, camping, working, berry-picking, sightseeing, hiking, exploring and practicing photography in the wilderness of Northwestern Ontario.

 The MNRF’s mission “to manage our natural resources in an ecologically sustainable way to ensure that they are available for the enjoyment and use of future generations” is of significant importance to my family, friends and I as we are very passionate about our traditions and pastimes. The above-mentioned activities make up a great part of our lives, our recreation, and our means to provide healthy, locally sourced food for our family.   We would consider it a horrible loss to no longer have the opportunity to participate in these activities the way we do now.   These are a large part of the reason that we all continue to reside in Northwestern Ontario.  If these opportunities were not at our doorstep, or diminished in any substantial way, many of us would consider emigrating to another province.

 Because of how important these activities, and Ontario’s natural resource management are to us, I feel the need to comment on this Environmental Registry based on observations made over the thousands of hours we’ve spent in the outdoors.

  In reference to the MNRF’s strategic guidance document, I support the vision of  “a healthy and naturally diverse environment that enables and contributes to sustainable development in Ontario.” A major inhibitor to this vision of biodiversity is the aerial spraying of herbicides like VisionMax.  It is no secret that after logging operations pass through, the diverse new growth that comes up naturally provides forage and habitat for a variety of insects and animals.  On the contrary, after spraying occurs, the area becomes basically a monoculture comprise of only the coniferous tree selected for and grass.  To anyone who has seen any of these post-spray ecosystems, it is evident that they do not support much biodiversity at all.  Sometimes these areas seem ‘desert-like’, with nothing but dead grass and the evergreen trees to be found.  The years before and area is sprayed, its common to see all kinds of animals present.  Many species forage on transitional deciduous new growth.  For many years after spraying, these areas become basically inhospitable to most of northern Ontario’s wildlife.

 Another major issue is the affect the spraying has on traditional food sources like blueberries. Many people from all walks of life in Ontario harvest and utilize these and other berries as a means of eating healthy, locally sourced food.

 Studies have also shown that spraying of pesticides has been identified as the leading contributor to the decline in the bee population.  With all this evidence, it is becoming difficult to defend the practice of spraying our forests with these pesticides.

  In order to support the vision of biodiversity, it is important to limit the areas that are sprayed with herbicides after logging has occurred.  More areas need to be allowed to regenerate naturally, the way they would after a forest fire or other natural disturbance.  If the spraying cannot be completely eliminated, is must be at least managed and seriously limited.  Small cut overs should not be sprayed at all.  These small tracts of land will be reseeded quickly and return to their parent stand of trees much quicker than large clear-cuts.  In the meantime, they will be small sections of land that provide food for many different animals.

  In regards to habitat, it is becoming evident that moose are starting to lack large enough stands of black spruce in order to get through summers without being affected by heat stress.  The current regulation of leaving a buffer of trees around water bodies during logging operations needs to be revisited.  This management tool is clearly not leaving enough mature standing spruce to provide good enough habitat to support healthy moose populations – specifically the large, breeding bulls who like to find a sufficient local and stay put.

 We need to start managing moose habitat and predators.  The hunters have been managed a fair amount over the last number of years.

    Comments on Broad Goals:

  #3 – Wildlife policy and management decisions that are informed by science and information, including local and traditional ecological knowledge.

  This is a goal with much potential if we work towards it.  It has been my hope to see more local research done right here in Ontario, studying our own unique flora and fauna, as opposed to citing research done in other parts of the world.  I know that my friends, family and I spend more than our fair share on our passions and we look forward to seeing this money going towards studies done on resources that we enjoy and utilize.  Lets be leaders in wildlife study!  If it’s a matter of getting bodies on the ground to do grunt work, I’m confident that the MNRF would have no problem signing up volunteers from various stakeholder groups to help out with whatever portions of research studies possible.  I’d be happy to volunteer.

  Going forward, if the MNRF is making management decisions “informed by science and information”, then we should never again see things like the easing of wolf hunt regulations rescinded because of signatures on a petition circulated through south eastern Ontario, pertaining to wildlife management in northwestern Ontario.  Please recognize that our province is a large land mass and management issues that affect one end of the province should not be influenced by non-stakeholder emotions (without scientific backing) from the other end of the province. The cancellation of the spring bear hunt in 1999 is another historical example of making decisions based on emotions and not science.

   #4 – Informed and engaged stakeholders, partners, indigenous community and general public.

  This goal could work to support the variety of interests of those whose lives are directly connected to the resources of the province.  It would be wonderful if indigenous communities would participate more in discussions of resource management in order to keep other stakeholders informed on how, and to what level, the indigenous community utilizes these resources.  Having all stakeholders engaged in the conversation – to clarify their interests, needs and usage of the resources - would significantly improve the provinces potential to manage our resources properly, and insure that interest of all stakeholders are met.

  Comment on Principles:

  I’m happy to see that the contributions of hunters and trappers are recognized as one of the principles.  For my family and friends, as well as so many others in our region, hunting is an extremely important tradition, way of life, and means of attaining healthy, locally sourced food. It is important for the MNRF, as the governing body in charge of managing these resources, to consider the input of the people who spend so much time in the wilderness, and who are passionate about the well being and sustainability of the wildlife and habitats that are so important to us. We might not all have degrees behind our name, or know how to write up formal research papers, but we can tell right away when things are changing in the wilderness areas we enjoy.

[Original Comment ID: 196662]