Merv Wilkinson is well known for his respectful forest practices. For 50 years, the 78-year-old forester has been selectively logging Wildwood, his 136-acre forest on Vancouver Island.

Over the years, Wildwood has provided Merv with one-third of his income while taking up less than one-quarter of his working hours. By keeping the removal of forest products to a sustainable level, Merv has maintained the same volume of standing wood as he had to begin with while harvesting more timber than was in his forest originally.

If Merv had clearcut his forest 50 years ago, he would still have to wait another 50 years before harvesting again. And not only would the replacement forest have had poorer quality wood, it would have been economically stagnant between cuttings.

Instead, using the principles and techniques of ecoforestry, Merv has maintained a diverse, fully functioning forest ecosystem in which squirrels and voles do the planting, birds control insect infestations, and the variety of tree species keeps disease from becoming epidemic.

For more information contact:
Merv Wilkinson
R.R.#3,
Yellowpoint Rd.,
Ladysmith, BC
V0R 2E0