I am a registered professional forester in BC and proud of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
BC is a world leader in sustainable forest management, backed by rigorous laws and independent third-party certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am also proud of the contribution forestry makes to BC: jobs that support families and government revenue that supports education, health care and so many social services. Not to mention the revenue that goes to First Nations and their peoples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I work in forest planning and specialize in road planning and design, but I also work with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations (HFN) on Vancouver Island, helping with forestry development and higher-level planning, which has been instrumental in bringing long-term benefits to the nation and its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HFN is one of the three nations (along with the Pacheedaht and Ditidaht) that persuaded BC to defer old-growth logging for two years in Fairy Creek and Central Walbran while they continue development on an integrated resource management plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
HFN is a shining example of what First Nations can do through forestry within their territories. It has brought dollars into its community, built tremendous capacity and continues to build and benefit its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s easy sitting in a highrise in downtown Vancouver to say \u201cdon\u2019t cut the trees,\u201d but if you take away logging, all the old-growth logging, it\u2019s going to have a massive impact on communities, including First Nations communities that are dependent on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s tiring reading mythical \u201cfacts\u201d and misrepresented numbers being posted on social media from the Rainforest Flying Squad, Sierra Club and a 17-year-old from Washington state who helped spark the latest round of blockading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When protesters are asked for facts, they constantly ignore real information from government, industry, the BC Forestry Alliance, Resource Works and the likes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, they continually spread misinformation, twist numbers and quote someone\u2019s Twitter feed or Facebook posts as facts. They are not factual; they ignore science. Coming from a science background, it\u2019s exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As of late, the actions of the blockaders and others are no longer just about old growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has become anti-logging to the core. Which includes damaging equipment and bridges, tampering with loggers\u2019 safety lines and even cutting the brake lines on an ETV (emergency transport vehicle) \u2013 the loggers \u201cbush ambulance.\u201d Despite being dismissed as rumour, this is on record in an RCMP report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is increasingly becoming an \u201cus versus them\u201d battle, and I am appalled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I want to take a moment to remind everyone who the \u201cus\u201d really are. We are over 50,000 strong and proud, forest professionals, engineers, biologists, hydrologists, technicians, analysts, loggers, truckers, road builders, mill workers and tree planters, just to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indirectly, we are also the heavy-duty and shop mechanics, the dealerships selling fleet vehicles, the work-wear retailers, the diner and coffee shop workers, the cobblers who fix our leather \u201ccork\u201d boots, equipment manufacturers and retailers big and small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are hard-working people, spending money and supporting small businesses, restaurants, home-improvement companies, and more, throughout our communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are also citizens who pay taxes. Logging companies pay stumpage fees that contribute billions to BC. Companies pay taxes too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The hatred, anger, and interference have to stop. If you want to protest, do so peacefully, in areas designated. Take the fight to the government if you seek to improve forest regulation. Better yet, get a forestry or environmental education and become an expert in a field; make the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But don\u2019t block roads, sabotage an ETV or tamper with equipment. Don\u2019t put people\u2019s lives in jeopardy. That doesn\u2019t serve to save the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n