Are We Managing BC Forests in Ecologically and Socially Responsible Ways?

The Faculty of Environment at Simon Fraser University is pleased to invite you to a talk and discussion about the sustainability of forests in BC presented by Herb Hammond, a forest ecologist and forester with Silva Ecosystem Consultants. Ken Lertzman and Evelyn Pinkerton, professors in SFU’s School of Resource and Environmental Management (REM), will respond to the presentation before moderator Sean Markey, REM professor, opens the conversation to the audience.

Abstract

BC forests provide essential ecological values such as carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity, and water. Forests also provide a diversity of social values, from healthy environments to recreation; and economic values from timber and wood products to tourism and mitigation of climate change. Indigenous people embrace long-held cultural and spiritual values of forests—values which non-indigenous people increasingly share. Public policies that guide forest conservation and use, and the practice of forestry are putting this diverse ecosystem that sustains us in many ways at risk. Coupled with climate change, our decisions about forest management are contributing to the frequency and size of wildfires, more rapid water runoff and flooding, water shortages and stress on the biological diversity that sustains human society. How do we improve protection of forests for the well-being of today’s and future generations? What changes in government jurisdiction, planning, and management are needed? What is the appropriate role for private industry in forest management? How do timber and non-timber economic activities coexist in ways fair to all participants? Perhaps the overriding question is, how do we relate to and interact with forests in the face of climate change? This talk will highlight the importance of forests to our survival, examine the ecological, social, and economic effectiveness of current government policies and industry practices, and explore solutions on how we can manage forests in ecologically and socially responsible way.

The video of the talk is available on our Facebook page and our YouTube Channel