Media Clipping — Tuesday, November 27, 2001, The Halifax Herald

Manage sustainably – Voice of the People

Dear Editor:

Recent articles have prompted me again to address the necessity of preserving our forests, or at best to manage them sustainably.

A Nov. 15 article by Lois Legge refers to the GPI Atlantic study. Ronald Colman states that we have lost most of our old forests; that indiscriminate felling of trees is hurting the forestry industry; that revenues would be higher if forests had the same age and species diversity of the past; that if forests were managed for the long term, income would continue for generations; that clearcutting has become a highly mechanized process which has reduced jobs.

Last, the study recommends protection for the remaining old-forest stands. One of these areas is the proposed Ship Harbour Long Lake wilderness corridor on the Eastern Shore. This area has received a lot of publicity lately. Individual signatures on petitions number about 2,700 and supporting businesses and organizations about 150. The greatest support to date has been from local MLA Bill Dooks. His support has meant a lot to community organizations and residents.

A Nov. 17 article by Dudley Althaus of the Houston Chronicle states, "A number of scientists say that on a global scale, the disappearance of covered forests will accelerate the extinction of many thousands of kinds of animals, plants, and insects…"

Please, let's put the good of the planet before individual and corporate profit and do what we must to preserve our environment.

Joyce Lachance, Jeddore

Copyright © 2001, The Halifax Herald