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It's long and veers from my points, but your commentary is always =
welcome, even if it's sometimes controversial. So don=E2=80=99t =
apologize! :-)
-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of David
Sent: March 3, 2019 4:44 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: Re[2]: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for =
ground-truthing sites
Hi John & All,
I fully agree that tree cover help to stabilize stream flow; thus =
my=20
proposal to clear cut no more than 10% of a watershed in any ten year=20
period. But even with good forest cover stream flow will be wildly=20
variable if ppt. is erratic. In the Kentville area long dry periods, as=20
early as 1990, during the growing season caught my attention because=20
Spruce began dying young. And wind especially since 2013 has generated=20
in my small woodlot far more wind throw trees than I could use.
Most of my cutting choices since 1990 have been dictated by tree=20
death (due to prolonged dry periods) and since 2013 by windfall. Death=20
of Spruce and Fir may not be immediate and sometimes follows fungal=20
invasion of feeder extension roots (killed by dry soil) followed many=20
years later by decay at the stump. Trees can not tolerate erratic=20
weather and trees at this end of the valley may be the provinces mine=20
canaries.
This condition near Kentville is likely a combination of climate=20
change, air pollution from high vehicle traffic and stuff brought in on=20
our prevailing SW winds.
One way to give trees a chance is to burn wood; either labor=20
intensive in stick form or conveniently as pellets Doing so reduces the=20
amount of fossil fuel needed to keep warm. Burning fossil fuel releases=20
new carbon into the atmosphere. Burning wood simply returns half of the=20
carbon extracted by the tree in question back to the atmosphere( the=20
other half remains in the soil as roots). And if cut selectively, the=20
trees left behind face less competition and consequently fix carbon at a =
more rapid rate. And it is not true that trees can not be cut=20
selectively using harvesting machinery.
The most rapid way to generate firewood is by using hardwood only;=20
especially Maple, Oak and Ash; thus the hardwood market. But a mixture=20
is more convenient at the user end; Pine for kindling, Fir for quick=20
starts, Birch ok if kept dry, Poplar for quick heat or large chunks for=20
overnight, Spruce for medium heat and some hardwood.
I began burning wood as the major heat source in 1981 and covered=20
the tiers, in the woods and in the yard with polyethylene held down with =
carpeting and weights; with never a problem until 2017. Starting in=20
winter of 2017-2018 extreme winds and violent shifts in wind direction=20
have frequently blown the covering off. This tendency for strong and=20
erratic wind is bound play havoc with tree roots and eventually tree=20
life.
This is already too long to be read and digested
Yt, DW. Kentville.
------ Original Message ------
From: "John and Nhung" <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Sent: 3/3/2019 3:34:49 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for=20
ground-truthing sites
>Sorry, Bev, should have participated sooner but am chronically =
preoccupied!
>
>An additional concern I have shared with various folks is the effect =
that overly enthusiastic cutting may have on our water regimes.
>
>(1) Hotter drier summers are on the way, and as folks in the stretch =
from Queens to Yarmouth Counties can attest, severe droughts seem to be =
getting more serious.
>
>Someone said country folks need to get back to the old ways and cut =
back on their water use during droughts. Swim instead of showering and =
do dishes the old fashioned way.
>
>That=E2=80=99s well-taken, but isn=E2=80=99t enough.
>
>Forests, I understand, are important stabilizers of water. Extensive =
clearcutting means flashier regimes. Would be interesting to talk to =
folks who work at some of the older power dams. I was told by someone =
at the Tusket dam that forty-odd years ago, water would rise slowly =
after heavy rains, then drop gradually and the effect on electricity =
generation was limited. Now when it rains hard, the water rises faster =
and drops faster, leading to less stable electricity generation.
>
>Gotta wonder, too, what the 105-year-old Hwy. 3 dam at Tusket was taken =
out after a torrential rain in November, 2010. Yup, it was quite a =
rain, but there have been very heavy rains in the 105 years previously. =
Gotta wonder ...
>
>Ah, externalities. But destabilization of water resources is pretty =
serious, and isn=E2=80=99t just an issue for tree-huggers.
>
>(2) Not long ago, the media were reporting on blue-green algal blooms =
along the Carleton River. The Fur Industry Regulations got enacted in =
2013. Phosphorus levels started dropping pretty consistently starting =
in 2015. Drier summers and less runoff may have played a role, but =
levels continued to drop in 2017, when rains were more "normal." I =
think heavy rains in 2013 and 2104, a massive spring runoff in 2015, and =
lower rainfall in recent years have probably all played a part but so, =
in my opinion, did the Regulations.
>
>However, the blooms haven=E2=80=99t disappeared; they=E2=80=99re moving =
upstream to darker-water lakes whose high colour protected them from =
blooms in earlier years. I am seeing a very strong association between =
rainfall early in the summer and colour later on. Less runoff, less =
"tea" ... So with drier summers, we can expect our lakes to become more =
vulnerable to blue-green algal blooms.
>
>Trees use nutrients. Dead trees gradually liberate them. More =
seriously, runoff from clearcuts are going to carry a lot more nutrient =
than runoff from a forested area.
>
>I know I know, nature isn=E2=80=99t simple, but forests help maintain =
water quality, as well as quantity, and those blooms aren=E2=80=99t just =
an issue for recreation and property values. Some of those little =
buggers liberate very nasty toxins when they rupture.
>
>I, by the way, have been writing the water quality monitoring reports =
on the Carleton system since 2014.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca =
[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Bev Wigney
>Sent: March 3, 2019 1:03 PM
>To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
>Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for =
ground-truthing sites
>
>Hi John and all,
>
>Thank you for your reply to my email a few days ago. My apologies for
>not replying sooner, but I've been sidetracked by various events. In
>any case, I appreciated reading of your experiences with the fishery.
>In many respects, it is comparable -- especially the overarching
>notion that there will always be plenty of forest to harvest. I know
>that, to many, especially those who never drive down the back roads to
>see the extent of harvesting taking place, all may still seem rather
>idyllic and as though the supply of trees is infinite. Unfortunately,
>I don't think that adequately reflects reality, especially in a time
>of rapid climate change. We have no way of knowing how much or how
>quickly things will change here in Nova Scotia, but I can't see that
>it will be so different here that we can ignore what seems likely and
>expect to somehow skate by what's happening in forests elsewhere on
>this planet. In fact, we should be paying plenty of attention. Also,
>we need to be considering how change will impact wildlife -- and how
>more intensive harvest activity could threaten already stressed
>forests and wildlife, pushing some populations over the edge. Even
>without consideration of climate change, in my opinion, we need to be
>more cautious and less aggressive in our actions. For example, in my
>county (Annapolis), there has been so much cutting over the past two
>years that I really have to wonder where owls might nest -- especially
>as, just a couple of days ago, friends reported that the harvest
>machines are already rolling in to resume cutting along Morse Road -
>an area already heavily devastated. Can there be no peace during
>nesting season? Apparently not.
>
>Further, you're quite right regarding monitoring, assessment and
>accountability. You asked a series of questions -- I'll quote that
>paragraph here as a reminder to myself and to all of us.
>
>> My knowledge of the forest industry is limited to what I have seen =
while in
>> the field doing bird surveys over many years, and no doubt, there is =
much
>> going on that I'm not very informed about. But based on my =
experience in
>> another renewable resource industry, the forest industry in Nova =
Scotia
>> appears to be an immature industry that does not appear to take its =
role in
>> conservation seriously. Do forest operators keep log-books about =
where and
>> the types of trees they are cutting down and their volume? Do they =
pay for
>> monitors to observe where bird nests may be located while they are =
cutting?
>> Is there a third-party firm to assess the on-the-ground impact of =
operations
>> according to a set of good practice guidelines? Does this =
third-party firm
>> measure the amount and type of wood taken in a way that can then be =
fed into
>> an assessment and mapping process? Do they pay for forest =
inventories and
>> the collection of waypoints on the location of species-at-risk? Are =
the
>> workers required to have a professional certification which would =
have an
>> ecological knowledge minimum requirement? If the answer to most of =
these
>> questions is no, then it is time to bring the forest industry into =
the
>> Twenty-First Century so they can begin to resemble other industries =
that
>> have been given the privilege to harvest our resources.
>
>I will go out on a limb to say that the answer to most of your
>questions is probably "no". In recent months, I have advanced some of
>these ideas on a couple of forestry discussion pages on Facebook --
>such as the idea of having trained monitors do site visits or be
>on-site during harvesting. My thinking was that we are graduating
>many young people from community college "ecology" programs, and that
>there are also many undergrad biology and landscape ecology students
>-- who could be doing onsite assessments and monitoring work from
>spring through autumn. It would give them some income and field
>experience, and help to improve accountability. It seemed like a good
>idea, but several in the forest industry were very quick to shoot me
>down -- saying they don't like the idea of having monitors --- that
>young people from those programs don't know anything -- and that,
>furthermore, they know what they are doing and don't need anyone
>watching over their shoulders. Then, when I commented that there
>should be more care taken in selection of trees to be left standing --
>that certain ages of trees of certain species should be left in place,
>they were also quick to criticize that you can't expect a machine
>operator to be able to see and recognize trees from their cab and that
>such a thing just isn't practical. I asked if the trees couldn't be
>tagged by someone else, and apparently that was also not possible and
>they can't see marker tags, especially as they are often working at
>night with lights, etc... It went on and on like this to the point
>that I completely gave up on making what I thought were sensible,
>practical suggestions for improving the survival of forest ecology in
>the face of intensive harvesting. I know some things are supposed to
>improve under the Lahey recommendations. I am attempting to remain
>hopeful that there might be at least some small sliver of change. I
>guess we'll see at some point in the as-yet-undetermined future after
>the latest stated 12 months of further delay to allow the forestry
>industry to "adapt" has elapsed - whenever that comes. One can only
>hope.
>
>Regarding this comment:
>> With all that said, I totally endorse the initiative that you are =
suggesting
>> and plan to participate myself. I believe these community-driven
>> conservation initiatives are important in driving change, and this =
one in
>> particular is a worthy project, independently of the current tragic =
state of
>> our forests.
>
>I do think organizing ground-truthing groups and getting out to the
>forests is a good thing in so many ways. For one, it is a way to help
>communities get to know their forests better. It could be a
>community-building experience. Also, I look at the educational
>possibilities, especially for young people. This summer, while doing
>my occasional volunteer gig leading a nature walk at the French Basin
>Trail for Clean Annapolis River Project, I met up with staff and
>volunteers from CARP who were working with children to net and
>identify aquatic invertebrates. The youths were so into it -- it was
>such a good activity and so nice to see children having so much fun
>while learning -- especially in this day and age when most kids have
>few opportunities to muck about in marshes. Reminded me of
>occasional outings with high school biology students while I was doing
>stream surveys back in Ontario. The youths that spent a day out in
>the field with me were so enthusiastic and said it really changed how
>they thought about nature. It was so rewarding to see young people
>who said they had never even held a frog, spend the day helping me
>catch and measure frogs and crayfish, etc.. If anything, we really
>need to see more of these kinds of opportunities happening in our
>communities - in forests, wetlands and along seashores.
>
>Anyhow, a group of us here in the Annapolis Royal area intend to
>make this happen, and I know there are those in other counties who are
>anxious to do the same. I feel that all naturalists should be
>interested in such a project. If we don't protect habitat, there
>won't be much nature remaining -- and I mean that quite seriously.
>Also, if we don't help others to learn and care about nature, all of
>us will suffer as a result of that great loss as well. That would be
>sad indeed.
>
>Bev
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<TITLE>RE: Re[2]: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for =
ground-truthing sites</TITLE>
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<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">It's long and =
veers f</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">r</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">om my points, but your</FONT></SPAN><SPAN =
LANG=3D"en-ca"> <FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">commentary is always welcome, =
even if it's sometimes controversial. So don=E2=80=99t =
apologize! </FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"> <FONT =
FACE=3D"Wingdings" SIZE=3D3>J</FONT></SPAN><SPAN =
LANG=3D"en-ca"></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"></SPAN><SPAN =
LANG=3D"en-ca"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-us"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">-----Original Message-----<BR>
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [<A =
HREF=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">mailto:naturens-owner@chebu=
cto.ns.ca</A>] On Behalf Of David<BR>
Sent: March 3, 2019 4:44 PM<BR>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca<BR>
Subject: Re[2]: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for =
ground-truthing sites</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">Hi John & =
All,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> I fully agree that tree cover =
help to stabilize stream flow; thus my </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">proposal to =
clear cut no more than 10% of a watershed in any ten year =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">period. But =
even with good forest cover stream flow will be wildly =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">variable if =
ppt. is erratic. In the Kentville area long dry periods, as =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">early as 1990, =
during the growing season caught my attention because </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">Spruce began =
dying young. And wind especially since 2013 has generated =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">in my small =
woodlot far more wind throw trees than I could use.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> Most of my cutting choices =
since 1990 have been dictated by tree </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">death (due to =
prolonged dry periods) and since 2013 by windfall. Death =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">of Spruce and =
Fir may not be immediate and sometimes follows fungal </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">invasion of =
feeder extension roots (killed by dry soil) followed many =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">years later by =
decay at the stump. Trees can not tolerate erratic </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">weather and =
trees at this end of the valley may be the provinces mine =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">canaries.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> This condition near Kentville =
is likely a combination of climate </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">change, air =
pollution from high vehicle traffic and stuff brought in on =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">our prevailing =
SW winds.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> One way to give trees a chance =
is to burn wood; either labor </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">intensive in =
stick form or conveniently as pellets Doing so reduces the =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">amount of =
fossil fuel needed to keep warm. Burning fossil fuel releases =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">new carbon into =
the atmosphere. Burning wood simply returns half of the =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">carbon =
extracted by the tree in question back to the atmosphere( the =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">other half =
remains in the soil as roots). And if cut selectively, the =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">trees left =
behind face less competition and consequently fix carbon at a =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">more rapid =
rate. And it is not true that trees can not be cut </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">selectively =
using harvesting machinery.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> The most rapid way to generate =
firewood is by using hardwood only; </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">especially =
Maple, Oak and Ash; thus the hardwood market. But a mixture =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">is more =
convenient at the user end; Pine for kindling, Fir for quick =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">starts, Birch =
ok if kept dry, Poplar for quick heat or large chunks for =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">overnight, =
Spruce for medium heat and some hardwood.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> I began burning wood as the =
major heat source in 1981 and covered </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">the tiers, in =
the woods and in the yard with polyethylene held down with =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">carpeting and =
weights; with never a problem until 2017. Starting in </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">winter of =
2017-2018 extreme winds and violent shifts in wind direction =
</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">have frequently =
blown the covering off. This tendency for strong and </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">erratic wind is =
bound play havoc with tree roots and eventually tree </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">life.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri"> This is already too long to be =
read and digested</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">Yt, DW. =
Kentville.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<BR>
<BR>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">------ Original =
Message ------</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">From: =
"John and Nhung" =
<nhungjohn@eastlink.ca></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">To: =
naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">Sent: 3/3/2019 =
3:34:49 PM</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">Subject: RE: =
[NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">ground-truthing =
sites</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Sorry, Bev, =
should have participated sooner but am chronically =
preoccupied!</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>An =
additional concern I have shared with various folks is the effect that =
overly enthusiastic cutting may have on our water =
regimes.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>(1) Hotter =
drier summers are on the way, and as folks in the stretch from Queens to =
Yarmouth Counties can attest, severe droughts seem to be getting more =
serious.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Someone =
said country folks need to get back to the old ways and cut back on =
their water use during droughts. Swim instead of showering and do =
dishes the old fashioned way.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>That=E2=80=99s well-taken, but isn=E2=80=99t =
enough.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Forests, I =
understand, are important stabilizers of water. Extensive =
clearcutting means flashier regimes. Would be interesting to talk =
to folks who work at some of the older power dams. I was told by =
someone at the Tusket dam that forty-odd years ago, water would =
rise slowly after heavy rains, then drop gradually and the effect on =
electricity generation was limited. Now when it rains hard, the =
water rises faster and drops faster, leading to less stable electricity =
generation.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Gotta =
wonder, too, what the 105-year-old Hwy. 3 dam at Tusket was taken out =
after a torrential rain in November, 2010. Yup, it was quite a =
rain, but there have been very heavy rains in the 105 years =
previously. Gotta wonder ...</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Ah, =
externalities. But destabilization of water resources is pretty =
serious, and isn=E2=80=99t just an issue for =
tree-huggers.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>(2) Not =
long ago, the media were reporting on blue-green algal blooms along the =
Carleton River. The Fur Industry Regulations got enacted in =
2013. Phosphorus levels started dropping pretty =
consistently starting in 2015. Drier summers and less runoff may =
have played a role, but levels continued to drop in 2017, when rains =
were more "normal." I think heavy rains in 2013 and =
2104, a massive spring runoff in 2015, and lower rainfall in recent =
years have probably all played a part but so, in my opinion, did the =
Regulations.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>However, =
the blooms haven=E2=80=99t disappeared; they=E2=80=99re moving upstream =
to darker-water lakes whose high colour protected them from blooms in =
earlier years. I am seeing a very strong association between =
rainfall early in the summer and colour later on. Less runoff, less =
"tea" ... So with drier summers, we can expect our lakes =
to become more vulnerable to blue-green algal blooms.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Trees use =
nutrients. Dead trees gradually liberate them. More =
seriously, runoff from clearcuts are going to carry a lot more nutrient =
than runoff from a forested area.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>I know I =
know, nature isn=E2=80=99t simple, but forests help maintain water =
quality, as well as quantity, and those blooms aren=E2=80=99t just an =
issue for recreation and property values. Some of those little =
buggers liberate very nasty toxins when they rupture.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>I, by the =
way, have been writing the water quality monitoring reports on the =
Carleton system since 2014.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>-----Original Message-----</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>From: =
naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [<A =
HREF=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">mailto:naturens-owner@chebu=
cto.ns.ca</A>] On Behalf Of Bev Wigney</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Sent: March =
3, 2019 1:03 PM</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>To: =
naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Subject: =
Re: [NatureNS] Crown land forests - suggestions for ground-truthing =
sites</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Hi John and =
all,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Thank you =
for your reply to my email a few days ago. My apologies =
for</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>not =
replying sooner, but I've been sidetracked by various events. =
In</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>any case, I =
appreciated reading of your experiences with the =
fishery.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>In many =
respects, it is comparable -- especially the =
overarching</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>notion that =
there will always be plenty of forest to harvest. I =
know</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>that, to =
many, especially those who never drive down the back roads =
to</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>see the =
extent of harvesting taking place, all may still seem =
rather</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>idyllic and =
as though the supply of trees is infinite. =
Unfortunately,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>I don't =
think that adequately reflects reality, especially in a =
time</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>of rapid =
climate change. We have no way of knowing how much or =
how</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>quickly =
things will change here in Nova Scotia, but I can't see =
that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>it will be =
so different here that we can ignore what seems likely =
and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>expect to =
somehow skate by what's happening in forests elsewhere =
on</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>this =
planet. In fact, we should be paying plenty of attention. =
Also,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>we need to =
be considering how change will impact wildlife -- and =
how</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>more =
intensive harvest activity could threaten already =
stressed</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>forests and =
wildlife, pushing some populations over the edge. =
Even</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>without =
consideration of climate change, in my opinion, we need to =
be</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>more =
cautious and less aggressive in our actions. For example, in =
my</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>county =
(Annapolis), there has been so much cutting over the past =
two</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>years that =
I really have to wonder where owls might nest -- =
especially</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>as, just a =
couple of days ago, friends reported that the harvest</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>machines =
are already rolling in to resume cutting along Morse Road =
-</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>an area =
already heavily devastated. Can there be no peace =
during</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>nesting =
season? Apparently not.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Further, =
you're quite right regarding monitoring, assessment =
and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>accountability. You asked a series of =
questions -- I'll quote that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>paragraph =
here as a reminder to myself and to all of us.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
My knowledge of the forest industry is limited to what I have seen while =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
the field doing bird surveys over many years, and no doubt, there is =
much</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
going on that I'm not very informed about. But based on my experience =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
another renewable resource industry, the forest industry in Nova =
Scotia</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
appears to be an immature industry that does not appear to take its role =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
conservation seriously. Do forest operators keep log-books about where =
and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
the types of trees they are cutting down and their volume? Do they pay =
for</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
monitors to observe where bird nests may be located while they are =
cutting?</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
Is there a third-party firm to assess the on-the-ground impact of =
operations</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
according to a set of good practice guidelines? Does this third-party =
firm</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
measure the amount and type of wood taken in a way that can then be fed =
into</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
an assessment and mapping process? Do they pay for forest inventories =
and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
the collection of waypoints on the location of species-at-risk? Are =
the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
workers required to have a professional certification which would have =
an</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
ecological knowledge minimum requirement? If the answer to most of =
these</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
questions is no, then it is time to bring the forest industry into =
the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
Twenty-First Century so they can begin to resemble other industries =
that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
have been given the privilege to harvest our =
resources.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>I will go =
out on a limb to say that the answer to most of your</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>questions =
is probably "no". In recent months, I have advanced some =
of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>these ideas =
on a couple of forestry discussion pages on Facebook =
--</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>such as the =
idea of having trained monitors do site visits or be</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>on-site =
during harvesting. My thinking was that we are =
graduating</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>many young =
people from community college "ecology" programs, and =
that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>there are =
also many undergrad biology and landscape ecology =
students</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>-- who =
could be doing onsite assessments and monitoring work =
from</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>spring =
through autumn. It would give them some income and =
field</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>experience, =
and help to improve accountability. It seemed like a =
good</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>idea, but =
several in the forest industry were very quick to shoot =
me</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>down -- =
saying they don't like the idea of having monitors --- =
that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>young =
people from those programs don't know anything -- and =
that,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>furthermore, they know what they are doing and =
don't need anyone</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>watching =
over their shoulders. Then, when I commented that =
there</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>should be =
more care taken in selection of trees to be left standing =
--</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>that =
certain ages of trees of certain species should be left in =
place,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>they were =
also quick to criticize that you can't expect a =
machine</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>operator to =
be able to see and recognize trees from their cab and =
that</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>such a =
thing just isn't practical. I asked if the trees couldn't =
be</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>tagged by =
someone else, and apparently that was also not possible =
and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>they can't =
see marker tags, especially as they are often working =
at</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>night with =
lights, etc... It went on and on like this to the =
point</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>that I =
completely gave up on making what I thought were =
sensible,</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>practical =
suggestions for improving the survival of forest ecology =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>the face of =
intensive harvesting. I know some things are supposed =
to</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>improve =
under the Lahey recommendations. I am attempting to =
remain</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>hopeful =
that there might be at least some small sliver of change. =
I</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>guess we'll =
see at some point in the as-yet-undetermined future =
after</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>the latest =
stated 12 months of further delay to allow the =
forestry</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>industry to =
"adapt" has elapsed - whenever that comes. One can =
only</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>hope.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Regarding =
this comment:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
With all that said, I totally endorse the initiative that you are =
suggesting</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
and plan to participate myself. I believe these =
community-driven</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
conservation initiatives are important in driving change, and this one =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
particular is a worthy project, independently of the current tragic =
state of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>> =
our forests.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>I do think =
organizing ground-truthing groups and getting out to =
the</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>forests is =
a good thing in so many ways. For one, it is a way to =
help</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>communities =
get to know their forests better. It could be a</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>community-building experience. Also, I look =
at the educational</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>possibilities, especially for young people. =
This summer, while doing</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>my =
occasional volunteer gig leading a nature walk at the French =
Basin</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Trail for =
Clean Annapolis River Project, I met up with staff and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>volunteers =
from CARP who were working with children to net and</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>identify =
aquatic invertebrates. The youths were so into it -- it =
was</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>such a good =
activity and so nice to see children having so much =
fun</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>while =
learning -- especially in this day and age when most kids =
have</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>few =
opportunities to muck about in marshes. Reminded me =
of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>occasional =
outings with high school biology students while I was =
doing</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>stream =
surveys back in Ontario. The youths that spent a day out =
in</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>the field =
with me were so enthusiastic and said it really changed =
how</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>they =
thought about nature. It was so rewarding to see young =
people</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>who said =
they had never even held a frog, spend the day helping =
me</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>catch and =
measure frogs and crayfish, etc.. If anything, we =
really</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>need to see =
more of these kinds of opportunities happening in our</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>communities =
- in forests, wetlands and along seashores.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Anyhow, a =
group of us here in the Annapolis Royal area intend =
to</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>make this =
happen, and I know there are those in other counties who =
are</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>anxious to =
do the same. I feel that all naturalists should =
be</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>interested =
in such a project. If we don't protect habitat, =
there</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>won't be =
much nature remaining -- and I mean that quite =
seriously.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>Also, if we =
don't help others to learn and care about nature, all =
of</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>us will =
suffer as a result of that great loss as well. That would =
be</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT FACE=3D"Calibri">>sad =
indeed.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=3DLTR><SPAN LANG=3D"en-ca"><FONT =
FACE=3D"Calibri">>Bev</FONT></SPAN></P>
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