YourForest

This YourForest Podcast episode, featuring experts Marissa Christansen and Chris Anthony, argues for a fundamental shift in how we handle wildfires. They advocate for "intentional fire" – using practices like prescribed burns and Indigenous cultural burning. This approach helps keep landscapes healthy, reduces the risk of massive wildfires, and even revitalizes cultural practices. The conversation highlights the need to empower local communities in fire management, evolve the role of firefighters beyond just suppression, and overcome public fear and outdated regulations that hinder the adoption of these beneficial fire practices.

In this episode of the YourForest Podcast, Matthew Kristof explores the essential role of dialogue in effective landscape and wildfire management. Joined by Robin Freeman, Project Manager for the Wildfire Networks at the SFU Centre for Dialogue, and James Whitehead, Special Projects Manager for the Mitigating Wildfires Project, they dive into how open, empathetic communication can help diverse stakeholders collaborate toward better environmental management solutions.The discussion covers the intricacies of dialogue as a tool for conflict resolution, the challenges of managing wildfire risks, and the importance of understanding differing perspectives in environmental decision-making. The conversation highlights the need for vulnerability and honesty, both from facilitators and participants, in creating an environment where meaningful dialogue and change can happen.

Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where Matthew Kristoff and James Whitehead navigate the crucial role of dialogue in managing environmental challenges, particularly wildfire mitigation. This episode not only highlights the importance of understanding and engaging in effective dialogue but also emphasizes the need for diverse stakeholders to come together and tackle environmental issues collaboratively.Explore how structured conversations can lead to actionable insights and stronger, more inclusive solutions for landscape management. Don't miss the insights shared by James on how dialogue can transform the approach to environmental management and foster a culture of collaboration and mutual understanding.

Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where we explore the interconnections between environmental science, sustainability, and the human connection to nature. In this captivating episode, hosted by Matthew Kristoff, we engage in a deep dive with Mike Leahy and Rebecca Quiñonez-Piñón about the enchanting world of the Monarch butterfly and the concerted efforts required for their conservation.The episode features Mike Leahy, the Senior Director for Wildlife Hunting and Fishing Policy at the National Wildlife Federation, and Rebecca Quiñonez-Piñón who serves as the Senior Scientist at the National Wildlife Federation. Both guests share their deep insights on the challenges facing Monarch butterflies and outline practical steps for their conservation.

Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where we explore the vital connections between environmental science, sustainability, and the essential role of forests. This enlightening episode of the YourForest Podcast, hosted by Matthew Kristoff features an engaging discussion with Dr. Amy Cardinal Christianson who serves as the Senior Fire Advisor at the Indigenous Leadership Initiative, where she spearheads efforts to support Indigenous fire stewardship. The episode explores how indigenous practices and guardianship programs contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources. Dr. Christianson, a wildfire researcher focusing on Indigenous fire stewardship, delves into her new role at the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.

Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where we explore the vital connections between environmental science, sustainability, and the essential role of forests. In today's episode join host Matthew Kristoff on YourForest Podcast for an inspiring conversation with Lauren Oakes, scientist, storyteller, and author of Tree Keepers: The Race for a Forested Future. This episode delves into the global reforestation movement, addressing the challenges and opportunities of using forests as a solution to climate change. Lauren unpacks the intricate debates surrounding tree planting versus forest restoration, highlighting the importance of thoughtful stewardship, community involvement, and long-term sustainability.Drawing from her research and personal experiences, Lauren explores how forests can be integrated into human and ecological systems, biodiversity benefits, and improved community well-being. She emphasizes the role of local support and economic incentives in sustaining reforestation projects. Whether discussing urban tree equity or global forest management, Lauren offers actionable insights to help listeners become active participants in creating a more resilient, forested future.

Welcome to the YourForest Podcast, where host Matthew Kristoff explores the vital connections between environmental science, sustainability, and the role of forests.In this episode, Matthew is joined by Dr. Jonathan Moore, head of the Salmon Watersheds Lab at Simon Fraser University, and his graduate student, Christian Carson, to discuss the intricate relationship between forestry, fish, and watersheds.They delve into the impacts of forest management on salmon habitats, biodiversity, and ecosystem health, highlighting the balance required to preserve natural resources and cultural traditions.

Welcome to YourForest Podcast, where we dive into conversations on environmental science, sustainability, and the intrinsic values of forests.In this episode, host Matthew Kristoff speaks with Mark Anielski, a forest economist and well-being expert, to explore the economic principles of nature and how forest ecosystems offer a sustainable model for an economy in harmony with natural values. Together, they delve into the challenges and benefits of valuing forests beyond traditional timber revenue, considering biodiversity, water resources, and the “wealth” that forests provide.Key TakeawaysBeyond Profit: Economic models that focus solely on GDP growth ignore essential ecosystem services. Mark highlights why a balanced approach that includes natural services can create a more resilient economy.Reframing Wealth: Wealth originally meant “well-being,” a concept that aligns with sustainable practices. Mark suggests considering how we define wealth to integrate environmental values.Strategic Investments in Nature: Investing in ecosystem restoration, such as wetlands and pollinator services, yields significant long-term returns, reducing healthcare costs and supporting biodiversity.Quotes:“Forest ecosystems are the model for the economy because they're always moving towards a homeostasis homeostatic condition. There's always perturbations. There's fire, right? There's and there's are human impacts.” - Mark Anielski“we're not counting is the degradation of the watershed and the services that we just take for granted and we don't monetize them, we don't even account for them.” - Mark Anielski“It's a lie that money is scarce. It's not scarce. We we have been educated to believe it. Scarce well. And we spend our lives anxious about how are we going to pay for whatever the mortgage.” - Mark AnielskiTake away with complete timestamps:[00:05:45] Background of Mark and his interest in Forest management[00:09:14] Redefining Economy and Wealth through Nature's Lens[00:16:34] Critiquing GDP and Embracing Nature's Accounting Principles[00:21:35] Challenging the GDP and Rethinking Economic Models[00:31:40] The Value of Ecological Services vs. Economic Depreciation in Forest Management[00:39:38] The Overlooked Value of Indigenous Knowledge in Healthcare and Environmental Restoration[00:58:27] Understanding Reinsurance and its Role in Risk Management[01:03:03] The Shared Responsibility of Sustainable ForestrySponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ResourcesMark Anielski's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-anielski-8b581325/Mark's Website: https://anielski.com/Follow YourForest Podcast on:Website: https://yourforestpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourforestpodcast7324Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourforestpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourforestpodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourforestpodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/yourforestpdcst/Email: yourforestpodcast@gmail.comIf you liked this podcast, please rate and review it on your favorite platform!

In this episode of YourForest Podcast, host Matthew Kristoff engages with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg to explore the powerful concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing." This approach braids Indigenous knowledge with Western science to create more resilient, climate-adapted forests.Dr. Eisenberg shares her experiences and insights from the report "Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Climate Adapted Forests," which she co-authored. The discussion delves into climate change, forest stewardship, and how Indigenous ecological practices can help create the future of sustainable forest stewardship.Here are the 5 Key Recommendations of the “Braiding Sweetgrass Report”:- Adopt proactive stewardship.- Recognize and respect Tribal Sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledge.- Provide the flexibility to steward dynamic landscapes and navigate uncertainties under rapidly changing conditions.- Ground agency planning, and land and resource stewardship policies in ethics of reciprocity and responsibility to many future human generations.- Catalyze innovative approaches to forest stewardship.Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is an Associate Dean at Oregon State University, specializing in tribal initiatives and climate resilience. As a community ecologist with Māori and Western Apache heritage, she combines Indigenous and Western knowledge to address environmental challenges.Dr. Eisenberg and Matthew dive into the concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing" and how it can reshape forest stewardship. They discuss the importance of cultural burning, proactive management, and Indigenous sovereignty, all of which are central to creating climate-resilient landscapes. The episode highlights the benefits of using both Indigenous ecological practices and modern environmental strategies to steward the land for future generations. Key Takeaways:- Two-Eyed Seeing: This concept involves viewing the world through both Western science and Indigenous knowledge, leading to more holistic and effective forest management strategies.- Proactive Stewardship: Dr. Eisenberg emphasizes the need for proactive, place-based stewardship that prioritizes forest resilience, especially in the face of climate change.- Reciprocity with Nature: Indigenous ecological practices are based on reciprocity, where humans take from nature mindfully and give back to maintain balance.- Recognizing and Respecting Sovereignty: It is crucial to respect tribal sovereignty and involve Indigenous communities in decision-making processes for forest management.- Healing from Past Harms: Acknowledging historical trauma caused by colonization and implementing Indigenous-led approaches to restore ecosystems.Resources:Dr. Cristina Eisenberg's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eisenberg-cristina-phd-7b153b26/BraidingSweetgrassReport: https://depts.washington.edu/flame/mature_forests/pdfs/BraidingSweetgrassReport.pdfThe Wise Path Forward: https://adaptiveforeststewardship.org/who-we-are/SponsorsWest Fraser - https://www.westfraser.com/GreenLink Forestry Inc. - http://greenlinkforestry.com/Quotes:[00:19:25] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "Two-eyed seeing is when one eye views the world through Indigenous knowledge and the other through Western science. Together, they form binocular vision."[00:12:28] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "We did damage to these forests by eliminating cultural burning, not understanding the long-term impacts."[00:59:41] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "Reciprocity means we take what we need, but we give back more to the forest. It's about caring for nature the way you care for family."Timestamps and Illustrations:(00:00:15) The Importance of Fire in Indigenous Stewardship(00:18:57) Reciprocity: The Foundation of Indigenous Practices(00:26:53) Two-Eyed Seeing: A Holistic Approach to Knowledge(00:30:46) The Role of Elders and Tribal Knowledge in Stewardship(00:36:28) Proactive Stewardship vs. Reactive Management(00:54:27) Acknowledging Indigenous Sovereignty in Land Management (01:00:18) Historical Trauma and Forest Stewardship(01:15:47) Cultural Burning and Ecosystem Health(01:22:31) The Future of Forest Stewardship: Learning by Doing Follow YourForest Podcast on:Website: https://yourforestpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourforestpodcast7324Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourforestpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourforestpodcast/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourforestpodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/yourforestpdcst/Email: yourforestpodcast@gmail.comIf you liked this podcast, please rate and review it on your favorite platform!

In this episode of the Your Forest podcast, host Matthew Kristoff speaks with Dr. Jason Brown, an environmental ethicist, and lecturer in religious studies, about "contemplative forestry". They explore how blending mindfulness with ecological understanding can foster a deeper connection to forests. Jason shares his journey into this unique field, emphasizing the spiritual and cultural dimensions of forestry.Dr. Jason Brown is a lecturer at Simon Fraser University, specializing in the intersection of religion, ethics, and ecology. With a background in anthropology, forestry, and ecological theology, Jason's work focuses on integrating spiritual practices into environmental management, promoting a holistic approach to forestry.Matthew and Jason discuss the concept of "contemplative forestry," which combines mindfulness with ecological practices. They explore the balance between work and contemplation, the importance of recognizing forests' intrinsic value, and how indigenous practices can inform a more reciprocal relationship with nature. The episode also touches on broader themes like climate change and the role of spirituality in environmental stewardship.Key Takeaways:Work and Contemplation Balance: Contemplative forestry integrates practical work with mindful experiences, fostering a deeper connection to nature.Contemplative Forestry: This practice views forests as living ecosystems and encourages a reciprocal relationship between humans and nature.Relational Forest Management: Inspired by indigenous practices, this approach values both the ecological and cultural roles of forests.Mindfulness in Nature: Engaging all senses in the forest promotes mindfulness and a deeper understanding of the environment.Sacredness of Nature: Recognizing the spiritual value of forests can lead to more ethical and sustainable management practices.ResourcesDr. Jason Brown's Website: https://holyscapes.org/Dr. Jason Brown's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.m.brown.566/Dr. Jason Brown's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holyscapes/SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/Quotes:01:24:13-01:23:40- “Contemplative forestry has this sort of potential that no matter what you're doing in the forest, just do that thing right. Be present.”00:19:45- 00:19:57- "Spiritual ecology or a contemplative ecology feels motivated to protect the environment because of its deep intrinsic value and our connection to that."Timestamps:Balance Between Work and Presence (00:00:05 - 00:00:37)Connecting Spirituality and Environmental Ethics (00:20:33 - 00:21:05)The Role of Indigenous Approaches in Forestry (00:23:20 - 00:23:56)Contemplative Forestry as a Practice (00:30:43 - 00:31:12)Embracing Mystical Traditions in Understanding Forests (00:40:29 - 00:40:46)Reciprocity in Human-Forest Relationships (00:50:14 - 00:50:52)Capitalism and Contemplative Practices (00:53:13 - 00:53:39)The Need for a Revolution of Heart and Mind (00:56:29 - 00:56:55)Reinterpreting the Concept of Value in Forestry (00:59:33 - 01:02:25)Moving Away from Broad Acre Plantation Forestry (01:12:53- 01:13:13)The Role of People in Ecosystems (01:15:52 - 01:16:49)Follow YourForest Podcast on:Website: https://yourforestpodcast.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourforestpodcast7324Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourforestpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourforestpodcast/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourforestpodcast/Twitter: https://x.com/yourforestpdcst/Email: yourforestpodcast@gmail.comIf you liked this podcast, please rate and review it on your favorite platform!

In this episode of the YourForest podcast, host Matthew Kristoff sits down with Caroline Whitehouse, a forest health specialist with the Government of Alberta. They dive into the world of forest pests, focusing on the ecological importance of insects and how they contribute to forest resilience. Caroline shares her unique journey into entomology, emphasizing the need to appreciate insects not just as pests but as vital components of our ecosystems.Caroline Whitehouse is a forest health specialist with the Government of Alberta, where she monitors and manages forest health, particularly in relation to insect populations. She is also completing her Ph.D., focusing on the role of insects in forest ecosystems. Caroline's work highlights the importance of understanding and managing forest pests within the broader context of ecological health and resilience.Matthew and Caroline explore the complex world of forest pests, discussing how insects like the mountain pine beetle play crucial roles in forest ecosystems. They talk about the challenges of managing these pests, the impact of climate change, and the importance of creating resilient landscapes. Caroline explains how disturbances, whether caused by insects or fire, are necessary for maintaining healthy forests. She also touches on the need for better monitoring and research to understand the full scope of insect biodiversity and conservation.Key Takeaways:Resilient Landscapes: Building resilient landscapes that can recover from disturbances is essential. This means promoting diversity in tree species, ages, and forest structures.Insect Appreciation: Insects are fundamental to ecosystem processes. Rather than viewing them solely as pests, it's important to understand their roles in nutrient cycling, pollination, and as food sources for other wildlife.Monitoring and Research: There is a critical need for expanded monitoring and research on insect populations, particularly in the face of climate change. Understanding insect biodiversity is crucial for effective forest management.Invasive Species: Urban forests are particularly vulnerable to invasive pests like the emerald ash borer. The spread of such species poses significant challenges for forest health and requires proactive management strategies.To learn more about Caroline Whitehouse and her work, stay tuned for future episodes and follow the links provided below. Additionally, if you're inspired by this episode, consider supporting your local ecosystems by planting a diverse range of native species in your yard and avoiding the use of harmful pesticides.Follow Guest:Caroline WhitehouseXerces SocietyAlberta insect IDEntomological Society of AlbertaAlberta Native Bee CouncilAlberta Lepidopterist GuildSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes46:25 - 46:53: “Insects are only pests as defined by us. Sure. They're just out there doing their thing right and living their lives and their populations fluctuate. And it's when it's something that becomes intolerable esthetically unpleasing to us or, you know, is potentially going to damage forest resources on a large scale, then that's a pest to us. It's kind of different in forestry, because in agriculture it's easy to define these. So we have a we have a process that's called integrated pest management.”48:19 - 48:29: “When you remove a disturbance, that ecosystem becomes increasingly susceptible to exaggerated disturbances.”TakeawaysImportance of Landscape Resilience (00:00:45) Caroline emphasized that creating resilient landscapes is crucial to ensuring that ecosystems can undergo disturbances and recover their functions. She believes the focus should be on maintaining ecosystem processes rather than the physical appearance of forests.Caroline's Journey into Entomology (00:05:11)Caroline shared her journey of becoming fascinated with insects, particularly during her university years when she took an entomology course. This experience opened her eyes to the diversity and complexity of insects, leading her to pursue a career in forest entomology.The Role of Insects in Ecosystems (00:09:39)Caroline discussed the fundamental role insects play in every ecosystem, from decomposition to pollination. She stressed that without insects, ecosystems would collapse, affecting all forms of life, including humans.Pollinators: Beyond Just Bees (00:12:41)Caroline discussed the role of various pollinators, not just honeybees, in ecosystems. She pointed out that native bees and other insects are critical to pollination and that honeybees are often misunderstood as the primary or only pollinators.The Misunderstanding of Honeybees (00:14:09)Caroline highlighted the common misconception that honeybees are native and the only important pollinators. She explained that honeybees are actually domesticated livestock and that their proliferation can negatively impact native bee species.The Threats Facing Native Pollinators (00:18:17)Caroline elaborated on the challenges facing native pollinators, particularly the impact of habitat loss, disease, and competition from non-native species like honeybees. She emphasized the need for conservation efforts focused on native species.Citizen Science and Insect Monitoring (00:30:59)Caroline spoke about the potential for citizen science in insect monitoring, acknowledging the challenges in identifying insects but also the value in public involvement and awareness in conservation efforts.Disturbance: A Key to Boreal Forest Health (00:48:00)Caroline highlighted that natural disturbances, including those caused by insects, are crucial for the boreal forest's renewal and succession. Removing these disturbances makes the ecosystem more vulnerable to larger, more damaging events.Insect Conservation as an Ecological Imperative (01:18:26)Caroline argued that insect conservation is vital for maintaining ecological balance. She mentioned that insects have an intrinsic value and are crucial for the survival of many other species, making their conservation an ecological imperative.If you liked this podcast, please check out our YouTube channel, also please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Twitter tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

Do you want to support healthy ecosystems, and create a legacy that can last? Me too. Start with your lawn, then your community, then see how you feel. Basil Camu is an expert in local rewilding and today he is here to share his passion for natural ecosystems and how you can create a bounding oasis of local biodiversity literally in your back yard! Think native! Flowers, grasses, forbs, shrubs, trees, everything helps!I often get so wound up in forests and how we manage them that I forget that my yard, and community, can be a place for nature as well. I am now officially growing trees in my back yard with the intention of rewilding my property, and hopefully sharing that passion with others.ResourcesLeaf & LimbFrom Wasteland to WonderSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes12.35 - 12.43: “I think humans are a part of this planet, we are all interconnected. There has been a huge disconnect between humans and the rest of life.”Takeaways“I love trees” (09.13)Basil's love for ecosystems is reflected in his book, From Wasteland to Wonder. He believes that humans are a part of the planet and should not be separated from nature.Soil = life + sand + silt + clay (20.45)Basil explains how plants have been converting the sun's energy into usable formats for millions of years, causing life to move from the oceans onto land and support all life above ground and under the soil.A tree is a 3D printer of life (23.10)Basil thinks of soil as a sponge, which holds water, thereby preventing flooding and enabling photosynthesis. He thinks of trees as pumps that feed the terrestrial planet and sequester carbon.Is the grass greener? (37.40)Basil points out that grass is the #1 crop grown in the USA but 10% or fewer Americans spend time in their yard. He highlights the need to work with natural systems instead of against them.A global water crisis (40.10)Basil calculates that by enabling photosynthesis and protecting the soil, you will do 75% of the things you can to address biodiversity.“The best place to start is planting trees” (42.34)Basil suggests people plant native trees. He suggests using chicken wire when planting native trees so they can grow protected.Life for life's sake (49.17)A native plant can support most life, participate in the local ecosystem and sequester carbon from the atmosphere.Nothing leaves the yard (59.19)Soil can be fed with any organic matter - fallen leaves, woodchips, etc. Basil recommends using compost instead of fertilizers since fertilizers have a massive carbon footprint.Self-sustaining meadows (1.09.24)Basil speaks about using glyphosate to remove vegetation and create a native meadow for ecological restoration. He recommends sowing a seed blend or flower seeds during winter.Grow your own meadow (1.14.56)Basil recommends planting butterfly milkweeds to help monarch butterflies on their flight path. He also suggests planting a few saplings to create a pocket forest and putting up educational signs.A forest in your pocket (1.21.06)Basil suggests using oak and hickory trees which have higher ecological value, feed more species of life and have understory species and shrub layers.Project Pando (1.26.47)Project Pando, the non-profit arm of Leaf & Limb, engages a community to collect seeds from native trees and shrubs and get them processed and planted through volunteers. Working with trees helps strengthen the bond and connection for people to see themselves as a part

If you are looking for inspiration, look no further than the story Percy Guichon was willing to share with us. Through hardship and discrimination, pain and suffering, a few First Nations were able to create thriving communities out of hard work and ingenuity. Percy came on the show to share his personal story, but also that of his Nation and the success they have had building forestry enterprises that look out for land and give back to community. Reconciliation takes lots of forms, Percy's story is about collaboration and thinking outside the box.ResourcesPercy GuichonThe residential school Percy attended as a child was purchased by Williams Lake First Nations to help honour their ancestors:Article: St. Joseph's Mission residential school site should be 'a place of healing'Central Chilcotlin Rehabilitation Ltd.SponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes20.46 - 20.54: “I think… the start of… reconciliation is just by acknowledging those… past harms and what it did to our people.”TakeawaysTraditional territory (4.44)Percy is a member and Councillor of Tŝideldel First Nation in the interior of British Columbia. He is grateful to be one of the few of his generation to speak his native language.Knowledge and experience (8.40)The conditions of First Nations members during his childhood were some of the reasons that inspired Percy to run for Chief many years later, where he served for 6 years.Indigenous consultation (12.21)Percy's earliest memories are of living on the land with the other animals that occupy it, including its waters. That laid the seed of his interest in forestry through high school.Truth and reconciliation (19.49)Reconciliation efforts are taking place across Canada to acknowledge the harms of residential schools, cultural genocide and economic marginalization. Separating children from families caused intergenerational trauma and alcoholism.Communities building their destiny (22.41)Percy believes it is important for institutions and systems to work with Indigenous people to remove barriers to meaningful long-term employment and empower communities. Reconciliation and forestry (26.17)First Nations communities have formed forestry companies and created development corporations. They are also being consulted by the Ministry of Forestry.The trauma of residential schools (30.55)Percy went to residential school at age 7 with his siblings and cousins. The impacts on his community, his culture, his friends, his family, and his sense of self were devastating.Leave a lasting legacy (47.29)Central Chilcotin Rehabilitation (CCR) focuses on cleaning up the mountain pine beetle-infested areas. First Nations communities need to be involved in the forest industry for sustainability. From companies to communities (55.28)Percy rejoices in the transfer of forest licenses from companies to communities. This helps distribute the responsibilities between conservation officers and community members.Honouring agreements (1.04.45)Percy shares the stories of how different First Nations have built agreements with the government, similar to how they created treaties.Strengthening the culture (1.10.53)Percy speaks about the supreme court decision demarcated title land area, how the BC government exonerated chiefs and the tripartite framework agreement.Healthy and happy communities (1.19.25)Percy believes that communities must have forest licenses so they can benefit from them. Elders still carry out traditional practices like berry picking and collecting medicinal plants.Building relationships (1.27.30)Percy looks forward to building relationships with other First Nations neighbours, sharing best practices and exchanging expertise and resources to create future-forward sustainable projects.Allyship in action (1.34.14)It is important to be respectful of the communities, address land rights, create revenue-sharing agreements and help the communities grow.

ResourcesMax NovaSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes06.17 - 06.22: “Forests are valuable for more than just what you can cut down and roll out of the forest.” Takeaways“Private landowners are where the climate economy and land management happen” (05.31)Max is the co-founder and COO of NCX, which began 14 years ago with his undergrad friend to help landowners understand the value of forests and measure and pay for the values they provide. Discover the true value of your land (09.35)Max shares that landowners can participate in many public and private programs to help cover the cost of planting trees, protect wildlife habitat and maybe even get paid for carbon credits. NCX helps landowners access nature-positive assets and develop new revenue streams for their property. Money is not everything (13.20)While financial returns from the land are important to maintain the land, most landowners rank ROI lower than being out in nature, leaving a legacy for their children, and connecting with wildlife. “Nature never stands still” (20.30)Max elaborates on the different programs available for different categories of land use across different geographies, with varied terms of payment. He emphasizes that landowners should understand the timings, risks and rewards of each, given the ever-evolving nature of the forest. The conundrum of net zero emissions (24.56)Max explains that many large corporations are working towards net zero emissions by reducing emissions or buying carbon offsets by a certain date in the future. However, the change made by these declarations is debatable as many corporations are coming up on their goal date, causing many to not commit to net zero goals. Balance trade offs against your values and objectives (31.54)Max explains the concepts of baseline and additionality in carbon credits, where one needs to be mindful of how purchasing carbon credits can reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Natural regeneration is a more accepted and supported option. Everyone wants a healthier planet (46.14)NCX's vision is a world where landowners own land that is fully and fairly valued for all nature-positive benefits it is providing. He believes that everyone wants less carbon in the atmosphere, more wildlife, and healthier soil.“Perfection is impossible” (49.17)Max shares the different kinds of programs that support natural regeneration, where the best fit for landowners will depend on their preferences. TMax believes that having a humble learning mindset instead of a critical approach will help navigate complex forest dynamics. “Keep your head on a swivel” (1.08.08)NCX works on laying the foundations of research and education to prepare for a future when fiscal responsibilities of different forest values have been fairly distributed by the powers that be. If you are a landowner, visit the NCX website to get a free initial assessment of your options.

Wildfire has always been here, and humans have always had a relationship with it. These days, we have recognized that our relationship to fire has been less than ideal. Wildfire smoke has consumed our summers, wildfire threat has persisted in our minds, and there seems to be no end in sight. So, how do we begin to change our relationship to fire? How do we go from surviving it, to thriving with it? The knowledge exists, the solutions are there, how do we make it happen? Transformational change is hard. ResourcesLori DanielsSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes23.23 - 23.34: “Trees are really amazing; trees will colonize till they establish and grow and persist in any space where the seedling can arrive and be given an opportunity to survive.”TakeawaysThe more awareness, the better (4.53)Lori highlights the importance of fire safety awareness and training, since “almost half of the fires in Canada are started by people”. The Centre for Wildfire Coexistence (10.34)The Centre for Wildfire Coexistence at the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia looks at the recovery of ecosystems and communities in BC.What tree rings tell us (12.54)Lori's research takes place at the Tree Ring Lab at UBC, processing samples from the forest to understand how historical fire regimes functioned across a range of ecosystems. Historical fires (15.45)Tree rings provide some quantitative metrics that demonstrate Indigenous knowledge of the fire intervals and their impacts on the ecosystems where the fires burned. Viewing fire as bad (20.03)Lori points out that European settlers made it illegal for Indigenous people to practice cultural burning, creating “an abrupt change in the way that fire functioned in the ecosystem”.The fire deficit (21.49)Lori shares that cultural burning maintains heterogeneity and variability of forests and diversity of ecosystems essential to maintaining biodiversity in BC. The fire suppression paradox (26.21) Reintroducing fire as proactive mitigation is important in forests where the fire regime has been disrupted and fuel has accumulated, putting communities and other values in danger. Wildfire behaviour (27.58)Lori lists three critical factors that control wildfire behaviour and effects - the interactions between weather and topography, the intensity of the fires, and the fuels. A challenging situation (38.13)Concerns about smoke stopped prescribed burns that provided the benefits of surface fires, leading to the accumulation of fuel and high-intensity fires.Local capacity building (54.47)Lori's advice is to empower BC's 154 municipalities, and 204 Indigenous communities through funding and education to execute their wildfire resilience plans.Mitigation is like insurance (1.03.04)Climate change dictates more such fires in the future, predicting rising costs of firefighting and medicines for the vulnerable, and damage to homes, farmlands, water supply and habitats.Cognitive dissonance (1.19.34)Lori hopes that the provincial legislature will understand the importance of contributing funds in order to make changes in policies and practices that will govern forest management. Be fire smart (1.26.21)Investing in fire-proofing one's home and understanding how fuel treatments and prescribed burning can help are steps to take toward changing fire behaviour to reduce wildfire risk. Win-win situation (1.33.26) Some First Nations use the biomass they remove from the forests around their community to create heat energy that supports their medical center and offices.

Nature knows best…right? So, our forest management strategies should try to emulate nature? That's what we used to think. Unfortunately, our ideas on how to emulate natural disturbance rarely result in something that acts like a natural disturbance. Bottom line, we are not fire, and we want different things from fire, so we need to not act like fire. We have had some good ideas, and our minds were in the right place, but it is now time to shake things up. Let's put that big head of ours to use and come up with something that would make mother nature proud. ResourcesEllen MacdonaldSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes43.23 - 43.32: “The more complex and variable and flexible you make regulations, the more difficult it is to go and see if people are following them or not.” TakeawaysSustainable forest management (10.46)Ellen concurs with the widely held definition of sustainable forest management as “managing our forests in a way that sustains the full diversity of values they have”. This differs from the old definition of sustained yield forestry which focused on sustaining timber production. Emulation of natural disturbances (15.31)Ellen talks about the origin of sustainable forest management in the 1980s-90s motivated by a desire to sustain a full range of values and inspired by natural disturbance patterns. Ellen believes the emulation of natural disturbances is one tool to achieve ecosystem management goals.Nature knows best (19.23)Ellen points out that using natural forest ecology to inform forest management goes back to the 1920s-30s when nature was used as an inspiration to understand how forests functioned and regenerated after disturbances depending on the species there to inform silviculture practices. Identifying the real objective (28.12)The important differentiator of natural disturbance, whether fire, insects or major disturbances is that “they don't kill everything”. They create opportunities for trees to regenerate and create structural diversity in the forest. The focus should be on forest management plans purposefully emulating the effects of natural disturbance instead of the patterns of natural disturbance.Challenges in sustainable forest management (43.00)Ellen finds that the complexity of implementing regulations related to sustainable forest management is a challenge. There are also worries that some may take advantage of the flexibilities in the regulation or make mistakes in interpreting how natural disturbance effects should be emulated since it is not a well-tested hypothesis. Additionally, forests take a long time to grow, so it will be a slow process. The old and the new (51.17)Ellen uses the example of deadwood to explain how the understanding of different components of a forest evolves over time. Different technologies today can help us monitor, document and inventory forest biodiversity which allows for more opportunities to manage forests better. Always learning (1.07.08) Ellen advises learning from Indigenous peoples' history with landscape management and the tools they use. She hopes “forest management can be viewed like science - as a never-ending set of questions rather than a series of disconnected truths”.If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

Image curtesy of National Geographic and Eye of Science through Sue GraystonIn forest management, we spend a lot of time on the things we can see; charismatic megafauna, trees, pests and plants. But what about the things we can't see? What if I told you there was an entirely unexplored ecosystem below our feet? One that has more biodiversity than we can imagine. This community is responsible for half of the carbon sequestration of the forest, and the maintenance of ecosystem function for above ground species. This life beneath our feet is as much responsible for the forests we love as the biggest trees and the cutest caribou. Let's show it some love. ResourcesContinuous root forestry—Living roots sustain the belowground ecosystem and soil carbon in managed forestsSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.TakeawaysNew frontiers (10.17)Cindy highlights that they found archaea populations in forest soil, a different type of organism which can also carry out nitrification of the soil.Unseen but important (14.41)Cindy shares that it is difficult to advocate for the importance and inclusion in forest management of organisms that can't be seen. A whole world in a spoon of soil (19.52)Next-generation sequencing techniques help us understand the workings of organisms in the soil.Microbial processes (24.51)Sue describes the labelling techniques through which they label trees with heavy isotopes of carbon sources similar to the carbon from trees, allowing them to identify groups of organisms that are important in using that carbon. Saving the world (30.20)Sue spotlights the fact that many organisms spend all or some of their lives in the soil creating a link between organisms above and below. Forest soil microbes remove methane and nitrous oxide from the atmosphere and clean water waste. Knowledge is power (34.41)Cindy believes that understanding the workings of soil organisms is better than using chemicals for biological controls. Microbes process organic matter and help lock it into the soil. How forest harvest affects microbial communities (48.40) Sue found that dispersed retention in clear cuts has a better function in retaining microbial diversity and its functioning across the cut block. Cindy adds that mycorrhizal fungi communities depend on the dynamic flux created by trees. Below-ground diversity leads to a resilient ecosystem (56.32)Every plant species has its temperature range of comfort which is being affected due to climate change. Recent wildfires have also been devastating for the soil biome. Inoculant seed zones (1.06.59)Sue and Cindy talk about how unaffected forests can act as seed zones after a wildfire. Nitrogen fixers prevent the soil from declining if there is a wildfire again. What's below is as important as what's above ground (1.22.33)Cindy offers a different way of thinking about forest management - that sites can not only be saved but also improved using the understanding of below-ground ecosystems. She laments the lack of care with which soil is currently viewed. Stand and landscape level diversity (1.36.21)When there is a diversity of tree and plant species, there will also be below-ground diversity. Built into that maintenance of stand productivity is using improved genetic stocks that are programmed to grow faster as well as silviculture techniques.Ongoing monitoring (1.41.45)Cindy talks about the need to monitor soil biodiversity and measure key processes and the amount of soil organic matter, especially mineral-associated organic matter. She reinforces the need to develop resilient forests, and the first step would be to update forestry policies.

What stands in the way of the future of sustainable forest management? There are many answers to this question, but the deepest answer may be colonialism. The very structure of our governing bodies and institutions have made it very difficult to try new things. It is possible that our colonial system of organization and decision making now stands in the way of progress. Organizations have to fight against the system to make new decisions, and move in new directions. The first thing we have to do is recognize the problem. ResourcesIra SutherlandDynamics in the landscape ecology of institutionsSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes1.27.55 - 1.28.02: “Can we really transform these systems into something generally sustainable if we cannot transform ourselves first?” TakeawaysSustainability (10.00)Ira defines sustainability as a dynamic process of constant learning. Institutions are meant to be constantly monitoring changes in the environment and adapting and evolving in response. Institutions (18.51)Institutional processes are the activities conducted on the land base which provide feedback for monitoring to the institutions.Power (21.55)The arrival of the provincial colonial government became the main decision-making authority for all lands in BC. From the 1970s to the 1990s, environmental NGOs began having some say with international boycotts against BC timber products. Since the 1970s, First Nations ancestral rights have also been recognized through case law in BC.Wise use (24.10)In BC, many areas were protected as forests and wasteful early timber harvesting practices were modified to prevent wildfires and ensure more resources for future generations. Sustained yield (28.17)Sustained yield forest management in 1948 formalized the goals BC had for its forests, and it sought to have a continuous or even perpetually increasing supply of timber. Intention vs. outcome (30.15)Ira highlights that early institutional functions in BC did not consider Indigenous land rights and the needs of the Indigenous people and it led to the 1990s pine needle epidemic and fires since. The forest practices code (34.25)The forest practices code was introduced in 1995. 11 different values have to be managed alongside timber, such as biodiversity. Timber bias (36.56)Ira laments that even though new policies have been created, they are layered on top of the old ones, but it doesn't remove the emphasis on sustained yield in forest management in BC. Change (44.50)BC has restricted converting forest to regulated stands to 15% of the land, elevated First Nations decision-makers in the area and created new types of conservation zones. Social values (59.40)Ira's research paper measures biophysical structures within the forest and uses that as a proxy to estimate the capacity of a given forest and provide multiple ecosystem services. Multi-dimensional approach (1.03.15)Ira opines that better data on multiple ecosystem services and a structured decision-making process need to inform forest management practices. Polycentric forest governance (1.11.11)Managing the forest locally is the top recommendation in Ira's paper to effectively monitor changes, understand local values and make management decisions that reflect those. Forest management recommendations (1.14.30)The second recommendation in Ira's paper is to maintain and restore complex landscapes, with heterogeneity at the stand and landscape scale for ecologically resilient landscapes. The third recommendation is to help institutions adapt through reflective processes.

As modern culture expands, wilderness dwindles in its wake. It has become more challenging to create empathy for land through real experience. Luckily, there are people like Jim Lane. Jim teaches an Ecology and Conservation course for High School students. His approach gets students out in the bush to experience nature first hand. They learn about scientific observation, interconnectedness, ecology, history and colonialism all through observing nature. All this without leaving school property. ResourcesJim LaneAldo Leopold's Land EthicSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes15.29 - 15.37: “A land ethic changes the role of a human from a conqueror to just a plain ordinary citizen of the biotic community.”TakeawaysAuthentic learning (04.54)Jim always wanted to be a high school science teacher, influenced by his teachers. As a child, he loved being outside and has turned his passion for the outdoors into a profession. Field ecology and conservation (12.40)Jim's students are tasked with designing a way to measure the forest. The empathy for the forest is developed as a product of that process. He teaches Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic to help students see themselves as part of the natural world. A ‘sit spot' exercise involves authentic journaling of natural observations.Sit Spot (20.19)In interviewing former students, Jim learned that the ‘sit spot' exercises had helped students overcome stress and gave them a space to process their feelings and find themselves, alongside discovering the dynamics of the natural world. Building empathy (30.14)Jim reflects that hope and trust are important for students to feel engaged in a course such as this. He introduces them to different birds and their lifestyles, makes them taste the bark of aspen, or challenges them to write down observations of the forest from memory. “Those experiences where you are pushed beyond that comfort zone is where you start to build… empathy”, he notes.“Knowing that there're things you don't know” (43.35)Jim observes that land and most of the natural world don't move in a timeframe that humans understand. He shows his students how the knowledge of just one tree can “not only unlock the history of the land that it grew on but also that history of the people on the land”. Respecting the forest (1.05.27)Jim believes that seeing the forest over a long period helps develop respect and appreciation for it, knowing it takes very long to replant it. Forests and fires (1.08.15)Jim's advice to other teachers who are looking to encourage authentic learning is to allow students to have authentic experiences with the forest. He laments how fires have made it dangerous and difficult to be outdoors. He narrates how a researcher interviewed Indigenous Elders on managing a forest using good fire, but that advice has not been followed. The destruction from wildfires has also damaged the cultural activities of the Indigenous. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

The Boreal Forest is the worlds LARGEST forested biome! Understanding the inner workings of such a callosal giant can be overwhelming. Now add climate change to the mix. What does the future hold? Luckily, an enormous team of researchers have banded together to create this incredible book that details what we need to do to keep the Boreal Forest healthy, and thriving, for the foreseeable future. Did I mention this incredible resource is completely FREE? See show notes for that link. ResourcesBoreal Forests in the Face of Climate Change: Sustainable Management (Volume 74)SponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes07.46 - 07.54: “When I look at the current situation, I feel like the major challenge of humanity right now is climate change.”TakeawaysFor the love of boreal forests (04.39)Sylvie is an Emeritus Research Scientist with the Canadian Forest Service at Natural Resources Canada, Miguel is the Professor of Forest Ecology and Guillaume is the Professor of Aquatic Ecology at the University of Quebec. The book they created is written to draw attention to the boreal forest, which represents 25% of the forest cover in the world. Inclusive writing (14.40)Sylvie mentions that between 60 and 170 authors from different fields - forestry, ecology and environmental science - came together to create this book. Miguel was surprised by the support received for the book. Healthy and resilient forests under climate change (21.33)Miguel highlights that it is essential to maintain a balance between natural and managed landscapes in order to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Sylvie points out that taking a deterministic approach to forestry does not work in the face of a constantly changing natural world. Ecosystem management on the disturbance regime (28.42)Sylvie explains that fire creates diversity at the landscape level which harvesting doesn't allow. By understanding the natural disturbance regime of the forest, they can better manage the managed forest. The current disturbances are related to temperature fluctuations from climate change, which impact the health and resilience of forests.Climate change is here (36.19)Miguel urges listeners to note how frequent climate change impacts have become, and provides examples from different regions that have had hurricanes and storms. Guillaume notes that lakes in some northern countries are becoming browner. Managing forests for the future (50.55)Sylvie shares some tactical decisions made for management planning, including diversifying seed sources and strategic planning of annual allowable count. Miguel adds that they want to preserve forests applying ecosystem management and diversity plantation to increase productivity and tap into their carbon sequestration potential. Human - forest interactions (59.10)Miguel says human-forest interactions will be the basis of forest management in the future, to achieve sustainability in the economy, ecology and society. He touches upon the spiritual aspect of Indigenous forest interaction and how Indigenous communities value preserving their ecosystems. Love is the greatest force (1.11.51)Miguel believes that people must be more flexible in their approaches in the light of the new information on global climate change. Their book speaks to this commonality across the globe, and speaks to cooperation amongst scientists everywhere to improve solutions.

Why is tree equity important? They are just trees, right? So what? They don't impact health, wealth, quality of life? They just look good!Well, in fact trees do ALL of these things. They drastically reduce deadly heatwaves, reduce breathing problems, shelter your home from the elements, reduce drainage costs, increase your mood, and save you money in all kinds of other ways. Now a new tool shows us which communities are receiving these benefits and which are not. Urban communities in particular are dangerously low on tree cover. We can help deliver basic human rights to those that need it just by planting trees. ResourcesAmerican ForestsSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes10.45 - 10.54: “Trees are important for people and… they are [an] essential part of our climate justice conversations and our health justice conversations.” TakeawaysData can be democratized (03.47)Benita explains that American Forests is focusing on ensuring tree equity in urban areas. so that all communities can benefit from greenery. Tree equity (07.19)Julia points out that the Tree Equity Score tool makes it visually apparent using maps that the lack of greenery in poorer communities is a national issue.Social and climate injustices (11.50)Neighbourhoods with the fewest residents of colour tend to have 3 times more tree canopy per person and are 3 degrees cooler. Areas with the lowest poverty rates have double the tree canopy per person and are 6 degrees cooler than areas with the highest poverty rates.Trees are the jack of all trades (14.29)Julia highlights that trees provide many different benefits to communities, including heat regulation, absorption of pollution and mental health. Baseline tree cover (22.18)Benita celebrates the 1.5 billion dollars of funding American Forests has unlocked in partnership with US Forests towards protection and maintenance of trees in urban communities to ensure tree equity. Broadening horizons (28.29)Benita talks about how a big part of their work is to involve local communities in the conversation on their local cultural context and needs. Planting and maintaining trees also creates employment in the communities. A human-centered approach to filling gaps in the urban forest (32.58)Julia explains that the Tree Equity Score is a free tool American Forests created as a prioritization system, which provides a score from 1 to 100 based on a combined measure of tree canopy and social and climate health. Breaking down the Tree Equity Score (35.15)Julia delineates the different parts of the Tree Equity Score - the tree canopy goal and the priority measure. Data is powerful to help change minds (40.58)Benita recalls that developing a rigorous tool was critical to move the cause of tree equity forward at a local governance level, just as it was to make the tool free and open. A holistic solution (47.31)The user guide accompanying the Tree Equity Score tool describes how to calculate the benefits of reaching different equity score targets. Coming together for tree equity (54.30)American Forests recently launched the Tree Equity Alliance to bring other national organizations together on the issues of urban greening and environmental justice. A sense of urgency (1.00.14)Benita expresses a sense of urgency to advance tree equity with local leaders and decision makers since “some communities are much more likely to be sick or die than other communities”.

How we value forests is changing, and our management strategy is often playing catch up. As a result, forest management in British Columbia is undergoing a paradigm shift. It is a values shift. A more holistic approach to managing forests that accounts for more than just the sustainability of trees. Old Growth was the lighting rod, ecosystem health is the goal. Garry Merkel came on to give us the run down how things area changing and why. ResourcesA New Future For Old Forests: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/forestry/stewardship/old-growth-forests/strategic-review-20200430.pdf Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoplesSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes08.32 - 08.55: “The forest is not the ecosystem; the forest is the product of the ecosystem. The ecosystem is the whole environment - all the species together, the relationships between those, the different water cycles, carbon cycles, sun, etc… that all result in conditions that can foster certain kinds of forests.” TakeawaysA change is needed (04.48)Garry shares that people are unhappy with the way forests are managed unsustainably and with values compromised. Trees are not commodities (08.24)Garry explains that a forest that is burnt or blows over comes back as the same forest in an intact ecosystem. Co Governance (11.45)Garry and Al recommended that the BC Government build a strategy collaboratively with the Indigenous community to prioritise ecosystem health with consistent policies in a 3 zone framework. Preserving old growth (15.39)Garry suggests changing silviculture practices from clear cut to more natural disturbance type to maintain ecosystems and increase the targets for old growth. A big societal shift (20.50)Garry believes the shift to protecting old growth requires three big shifts - shifting to joint governance with Indigenous communities, shifting to inclusive, multi-sectoral regional based planning and decision making and shifting our entire mental framework from focusing on individual resources to focusing on ecosystems. Sustainability is the journey (26.20)Garry thinks this shift will be more sustainable even as it changes our economic relationships with the land. “Life is what happens when you are planning what to do” (39.57)Garry speaks about the challenges of implementing changes with COVID and the varied 200+ First Nations in BC. He is working on implementing the Forest Landscape Plan in BC. Preserving forest values (45.15)Garry laments that there are processes currently taking place that haven't received consent from First Nations and that not all percentages of old growth protection have been met. “Moving at the speed of understanding and trust” (1.00.46)Garry observes that many industries are realizing the importance of a holistic approach to land management. Science and wisdom (1.10.12)Garry suggests each individual begin their own learning journey, communicate their vision with their local representatives and learn from Indigenous wisdom about land management.The paradigm shift (1.15.47)Garry explains, “A paradigm shift is simply a significant change in thought”, and action follows a paradigm shift. Living in harmony with nature (1.21.48)Garry shares how different countries have adopted different land management practices and how they are transforming their approaches.

What better way to learn about Old Growth and Big Trees then to talk to a guy who thinks about nothing else!? Greg Herringer spends his work time finding big trees, talking about big trees and creating programs to protect big trees. He also spends his free time going on expeditions to find more big trees. This guy is THE Big Tree Guy! We try to answer the question, how do we protect big trees in a world that need wood fiber? Greg sees a path forward. ResourcesGreg HerringerOld Growth DeferralsSpecial Tree Protection RegulationBig Tree RegistryQuotes33.20 - 33.25: “Too many people confuse hearing and listening as the same thing and they are entirely different.” TakeawaysPersonal and professional passions (04.24)Greg is a Forest Technologist at British Columbia Timber Sales. He is passionate about preserving large tree ecosystems and was part of the 80s-90s revolution to protect old growth on Vancouver Island. Tree tools (08.22)Greg explains the tools used to extract a sample from the trunk of the tree and extrapolate the findings to learn more about the age of the tree based on the visible growth rings. Planting by the rules (11.26)Greg had a decade-long career as a tree planter during which he began developing a curiosity for big trees. He feels positive about the special tree protection regulation the government has passed along with the BC old growth program to protect large trees from being harvested. A sustainable and holistic approach (16.15)Based on his work with many universities, Greg believes a fundamental shift is coming in how harvesting forests is viewed by the new generation of forest professionals, including forging partnerships with First Nations. A century is a blip for a tree, but a lifespan for humans (19.28)Greg shares people's reactions on his tours of old-growth forests. He encourages people to slow down and “experience the old-growth forest as it should be”, including exploring forest bathing.The human side of forestry (31.20)Developing personal relations with others is the most important skill in forestry, according to Greg. Understanding what the public wants the forests to be will help guide forest restoration practices for the future. “The forest isn't static” (35.19)Greg discusses the terms of the special tree protection regulation, sharing that the required buffer area around a tree was a compromise between the industry and the ENGOs. He lists examples of some old-growth trees that are still evolving.Wanted dead or alive (39.35)Greg points out that the tree protection regulation does not differentiate between live and dead trees because of the value of standing dead trees to wildlife habitat. What nature really is (42.43)Greg recounts his trip to Vernon Bay to discover giant trees between 800 and 2200 years old. When we all come together (01.07.30)BC Timber Sales has developed a voluntary program in conjunction with Western Forest Products to target the most valuable commercial species for protection. Stand up for what you believe in (1.17.42)By following the special tree protection regulations, Greg feels good about acting in line with his morals and ethics.Land back (1.34.10)A large portion of the land will be returned to the stewardship of the First Nations to manage according to their traditions and intergenerational expertise.

Who doesn't love Big Old Trees!? “You would have to be some kind of monster!” That pretty much sums up the episode. Author Amanda Lewis shares her journey around her book Tracking Giants-Big Trees, Tiny Triumphs, and Misadventures in the Forest. Amanda brought a breath of fresh air into the way I think about big trees. Her fun nature and transparent writing style make for a great dialogue and an even better read!ResourcesTracking Giants by Amanda LewisSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes48.03 - 48.07: “That's the thing about trees - once you stop looking for them, they start to reveal themselves.” TakeawaysWhen the forest calls (05.09)Amanda went to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver but had to move to Toronto to pursue a career in publishing. She returned 8.5 years later to the forests of her childhood, burnt out from a difficult career and shaken from the big life change. We are the champions (08.05)Amanda‘s friend introduced her to a book called Big Lonely Doug, which spoke about a Douglas fir tree included on the BC Big Tree Registry. She decided to start a blog called Tracking Giants which would record her travels to all the champion trees. The most difficult and the most rewarding (11.10)The BC Big Tree Registry, created by Randy Stoltmann, is an online database of native trees where they are assigned tree scores based on their dimensions. Big tree registries originated in Maryland to catalogue what was left of the big trees after logging.Obelisk in the desert (19.53)Amanda points out that trees change across a landscape and a digitized registry allows for updates to reflect the changing state of trees. She muses that the reason big trees draw people in is that “they represent that deeper time and that slower way of being”. Missing the forest for the trees (28.30)Amanda likes to look at metrics of appreciating trees that are beyond numbers. Since Indigenous peoples knew of the trees since time immemorial, younger tree trackers are choosing not to name them.Approaches to conservation (36.02)Amanda highlights that Indigenous peoples refer to trees as family members. She laments that polarized perspectives on working in the forest are untrue and that they show that you can both love and harvest trees.“To find the tree, you must become the tree” (45.38)Amanda shares about the opportunity for anyone to be a ‘community scientist' in what is a very democratic registry by nominating any big tree they come across. What a tree can be (57.56)With time, trees can become big and rare and it is a “tragedy of forestry on the coast” that many trees have been logged, leaving no chance of an old-growth forest.An epidemic of loneliness and technology (1.07.00)Amanda invites listeners to think about the decisions that can be made in the present to be able to look back without regret in the future.Children of the same soil (1.14.20)Amanda feels centered thinking of herself as part of the same world as trees with rich stories, and believes there is hope to rewrite the narratives of our relationships with them.

I never thought I would have to talk about war as a forest disturbance. I was not prepared, nor did I have the experience or knowledge to provide any relevant feedback. This discussion really opened my eyes to the complexity and devastating nature of war as a disturbance. How even when the war is over the consequences will last generations. The ecology will be forever shifted, and the dangers of unexploded ordinances will haunt the people of Ukraine for decades to come. ResourcesBrian's Yale TalkQuotes51.17 - 51.29: “The river makes forests possible; the river is a great place to set up a defensive line so… forests get disproportionately affected by the war because they are near the river.” TakeawaysWar and Fire (08.13)Brian informs that it is the Donbas region in Ukraine which is being “systematically” destroyed due to the war. However, forest fires have also caused damage in the past there, with a third of the pine forests being destroyed in 2020. A large country with fascinating forests (12.24)Some Ukrainian forests are free of Russian invaders but contaminated by unexploded ordinances, which complicates firefighting in the area. He believes Ukraine needs resources and support to tackle this problem. Natural and economic trauma (21.04)Brian describes how increased fires due to the war have transformed and fragmented Ukraine's landscape. He narrates the history of colonization across this landscape and the impacts it had on the steppes and pine forests.Reforesting pines and afforesting sandy steppes (27.01)Brian narrates how pine was used to restore the landscapes under different regimes in Ukraine but that the Russian invasion is destroying the forests. He discusses the complications in fire management due to the varied thinning practices in the past. Fire in the Forest (36.17)Brian highlights the lack of trust towards foresters in Ukraine and Russia. Although there are long-standing regulations, the invasions have damaged the forests and made it a militarized zone. Restoring forests (42.37)Brian notes that even though much of the forest has burned, some has been salvaged by intuitive demining and intelligent resource management. However, commercial forest management has become extremely difficult due to shrapnel in logs. Firefighting in war-torn landscapes (50.10)Brian believes Ukraine would need many firefighting tanks to demine the UXO-contaminated landscape in phases.“Triage starts with forests in communities “ (58.10)Brian deliberates what forest restoration can look like in Ukraine.The way ahead (1.13.37)Brian believes that the way forward must be Ukraine-driven.How you can help (1.23.12)If you would like to contribute to Ukrainian foresters, you can visit Brian's GoFundMe or reach out to him on Facebook. Brain encourages listeners to contribute to grassroots organizations in Ukraine since larger humanitarian organizations already receive significant funding.

Do we have a moral obligation to Nature? Most people extend moral standing to their family, friends, town, country, maybe as far as human species. What about beyond that? Animals? Sure, they have a nervous system and they can be cute. What about things that are nothing like us? Trees? Fungi?… Rocks? What universal force obliges us to act respectfully toward them? Does ethics even apply to rocks? Or was this just the tired ramblings of an overthinker? Listen and see…ResourcesNathan KowalskySponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes29.09 - 29.23: “That's often how the respect ethic has accounted for larger ecosystemic problems, is by saying that there are other human beings that are affected.” TakeawaysOut of doors (05.44)Nathan explains that many environmental writers prefer to say ‘out of doors' instead of outdoors, to step away from the connotations of masculinity and related activities that the outdoors are usually associated with. Depth and profundity (13.55)Nathan defines philosophy as “the search for the meaning of things”. Philosophy helps us understand if things are meaningful and why, by posing helpful questions about meaning. It offers a rigorous process to get closer to answers.“Part of being a philosopher is being frustrated” (16.23)Nathan finds that philosophy attempts to answer questions that humans have always wondered about, and the process of finding the answers repeats over and over. The answers one comes across could be what work for them, but may not be the final answer. Moral frameworks (23.19)Morality, Nathan says, is about “trying to discover the answer to questions of human behaviour,” and is used interchangeably with ethics in philosophy. Harm minimization (utilitarianism) and respect (deontology) are two frameworks of ethics. If you believe you can or Kant (27.24)Immanuel Kant, the classical deontologist, believed that only rational beings could be the recipients of moral regard because they could reciprocate respect, which Nathan believes is a deeply anthropocentric position to take. How useful is utilitarianism? (31.49)Nathan talks about utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer's theory that our circle of consideration must evolve to include non-human animals, but he also defines the limits of that circle. “If you are not having anxiety when you are philosophizing, you are not doing it right” (37.53)Nathan finds a sense of meaning in a sense of belonging in nature in a way that is embedded into what already exists. His identity comes from nature rather than in opposition to it. To him, respecting nature and its components is important. Mindfulness (53.12)Nathan believes that a person's sense of connection with and belonging to nature may impact the outcomes of activities done in nature, but it will surely help them discover things about themselves. Thinking is piety (1.05.03)Nathan believes that the way in which we should relate to nature is to fit into a larger framework, so we can see ourselves as connected to nature, instead of as the center of the universe. Re-indigenizing the planet in the Anthropocene (1.20.07)Nathan laments the atrocities that were committed in the conquest of the land that has now come to be known as Canada. However, he finds hope in nature, that it is stronger than a culture can be.

How important are forests? How important is the wood we harvest from forests? The answer to both questions is - crucially important! We can imagine the role forests play in ecological function of the globe, but have you ever really considered where we would be without wood? The truth is we are dependent on both, and that is not going to change. In the re-release of his 1989 book “A Forest Journey” John Perlin explores the “Role of trees in the face of civilization.”ResourcesForest Journey: The Story Of Wood And Civilization SponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes16.08 - 16.17: “Wood being the primary fuel enabled our species to survive.”TakeawaysJohn's books (05.41)John's first book delineates the history of solar energy to generate heat, which inspired him to study the importance of wood in doing so. His second book discusses how “we have misunderstood the underpinning of all cultures” based on the material that was deemed important in that age.The living planet (18.20)Archaeopteris, the first true tree, ensured the Darwinian evolution of terrestrial life. John's book talks about how 130 million years later, an excess of carbon dioxide due to deforestation nearly caused all large life to become extinct. Sustaining civilizations (24.55)Humans' use of wood for fire, tools and cooking, allowed them to congregate for the development of language and storytelling. Fire also helped in hunting and made nighttime safe, while aiding in developing settlements and metallurgy-based technologies. Trees influence history (32.07)Greek mythology is based on fire, and the presence of wood defined the Greek empire. Masting timber was the first cause of conflict in the American colonies. Differences also developed over the use of wood between Indigenous Americans and settlers. The defeat of the British also occurred because of the lack of masting timber. We are living in a material world (49.08)John highlights that planks under roads are wooden, and ceramic needs fire to be created. Wood has been used to produce fire for countless applications in metallurgy, and there used to be entire economies based on wood. Trees protect (1.00.03)John explains how biodiversity is a natural barrier to diseases and removing forests removes predators of disease-causing organisms, which can lead to an epidemic or pandemic. On the flip side, what may be perceived as directly harming trees may in fact be harming another species that fertilizes the soil. “There's nothing new under the sun” (1.11.07)John is constantly inspired to gather knowledge, collect ideas and accumulate information and share it through his books and lectures. He talks about opposing schools of thought in forestry and the anthropomorphization of and ageism against trees, causing misinformation to live in the world. The web of life (1.18.51)John was fascinated to learn that roots do most of the carbon sequestration by creating carbonates which go all the way down to the oceans, where they become locked in the limestone and help animals like mollusks and gastropods build their shells. Facing forward (1.21.52)John has faced flak for expressing his opinion on how all humans bear the responsibility for resource depletion and turning “the world into a wasteland”. His book explains how landscapes have been completely transformed over time due to deforestation.

Trees communicating? Protecting their offspring? Sending warning signals? Even helping “competing” species? These are some of the incredible things we have heard about the “Wood Wide Web”. But, is it true? Or has the story got ahead of the science? A team of mycorrhizal researchers has discovered some painful truths about these fungal connections we have all come to be fascinated with. Justine Karst breaks down the myths and misconceptions about Common Mycorrhizal Networks (CMN), and the pain it caused her to do so. The first 50min is the science, the last 50min is the story behind it. ResourcesJustine's Lab Justine's paperSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes58.47 - 59.00: “If it makes you really mad, or if it makes you really happy, pause.” TakeawaysThe wood wide web (09.17)Justine talks about how the belowground transfer of carbon in the field is not conclusively proven to occur through a mycorrhizal network, what some call the ‘wood wide web'. A common mycorrhizal network is formed when roots of two different plants are physically connected by fungal tissue. Exploring functions (15.22)Only two studies in the world have done high-resolution sampling showing with high certainty that the same fungus links two roots of different trees. Mycorrhizal fungi are essential in forests, but the function of common mycorrhizal networks is inconclusive.Debunking myths (27.23)The paper that Justine, Melanie and Jason worked on evaluated some of the widely held assumptions about common mycorrhizal networks - that they are widespread in forests, their benefits to trees, and the communication of warning signals between trees through the networks. Not enough studies have been done to conclusively support these ideas, and the methods used are difficult to control for confounding effects. The truth (43.40)Justine, Melanie and Jason could not find any peer-reviewed, published field studies testing the claim that trees recognize their kin and send warning signals to them. One graduate thesis even proved those claims wrong. When they looked at how scientists interpret these claims, they found that nearly 50% of the papers today citing original studies made unsupported statements. “We're looking to nature for how society should behave or act” (55.50)While Justine wants to see people rethink their connections with nature, she does not want science to be distorted towards that end. Because of the misinformation about common mycorrhizal networks, the difference between possibility and established fact has blurred. “I'd rather know the truth than believe in a fairytale” (1.06.00)Justine acknowledges that her study may have burst the bubble for many but believes that the truth is helpful to all scientists. However, the lack of conclusive evidence on mycorrhizal common networks, in her opinion, does not devalue the conversations around species interactions. Critically engaging with feedback (1.13.12)Justine, Melanie and Jason's study had three scientists sign the review, and their associating their reputation with the study was reassuring to her. The trio revised the manuscript based on their feedback and ensured it was thorough.

Against all odds, one species is making a comeback! Whitebark Pine! At the top of the mountain, where few other trees even try to survive, this species thrives. It is a keystone species that has developed a particularly peculiar way of spreading its young about the mountain side. Co-evolution anyone? If you like old trees, cool birds, species killing fungi, and most importantly, a story of hope, than this is the podcast for you!ResourcesPlanting the Future: Saving whitebark and limber pineWhitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of CanadaSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes1.12.12 - 1.12.20: “One of the most important things and hopeful things you can do is plant a tree under whose shade you won't sit.”TakeawaysTelltale signs of whitebark pine (9.42)Contrary to their name, whitebark pine barks are not white, but silver, and their thick canopy makes them look like broccoli tops. Their needles occur in bunches of five instead of two. Mutualism (15.52)The Clark's Nutcracker opens the cones of the whitebark pine and stays healthy on its high-fat seeds. It has evolved a pouch under its tongue to store up to 90 seeds of the tree. Keystone and pioneering species (23.02)Brenda finds that the whitebark pine is important for many species of birds and small mammals. Prescribed fires could be beneficial to their survival.Whitebark pine proliferation (28.22)Amelie describes the Clark's Nutcracker's specialized beak, which can open the hard egg-shaped cones of the whitebark pine. The bird's range is 12-28 km. “A species that gives back more to the ecosystem than it takes” (33.28)Brenda expects the subalpine ecosystem to be different with the loss of whitebark pine, a community on which many species rely. Threats to whitebark pine (41.18)Blister rust, the mountain pine beetle beetle, fire suppression and climate change are all threats to whitebark pine. 100 Tree Survey (50.59)Brenda's role in Parks Canada is to help whitebark pine recover and survive. They visit 100 large-diameter trees in the stand in mast years and assess them for blister rust resistance. Developing infection resistance (56.50)Brenda's team extracts the seeds from infection-resistant whitebark pine cones and sends them to nurseries to grow. Two years later, they take the seedlings back to the park to grow. Protecting whitebark pine from beetles (1.03.17)Brenda's team applies 2 packets to the valuable whitebark pines every spring that send chemical messages to mountain pine beetles, which save 60% of the trees. “Everybody's favourite day is planting day” (1.09.27)Brenda shares that there are 140 whitebark pines in Jasper National Park that they believe are resistant. It's important to plant them at fair distances in microsites for protection. A video speaks a million words (1.14.29)Amelie is proud of the video that seven mountain parks in Canada came together to create to raise awareness of the whitebark conversation program and rust resistance. Do your part (1.19.49)Brenda is encouraged by how the video has inspired whitebark pine restoration efforts in Alberta and BC. Brenda believes that visiting the beautiful whitebark pine forests and supporting the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation of Canada are two ways in which each person can be a part of the conservation efforts.

Imagine a forest full of hardwoods (leafy trees). Then imagine towering sentinel Pines standing a full tree length above the rest. Now imagine a full forest of these Pines. That is what the North woods of eastern North America use to look like. Today, the Eastern White Pine is scarcely a remnant of what it use to be. The reason? It built America. A foundational tree in every sense of the word. White Pine is a keystone species, an ecological driver and one of the tallest, straightest, and fattest trees in the North woods. John Pastor came on the podcast to tell the human and ecological history of this species, and it truly opened my eyes.ResourcesWhite Pine by John PastorSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes28.25 - 28.30: “More revenue was generated by harvesting white pine than all the gold in California.” TakeawaysA foundational species (09.08)White pine is the largest tree in the Northwoods whose large biomass enables it to capture a lot of the sun's energy that froze into the food web. It also allows it to control the cycling of nutrients through the food web by the uptake of nutrients and then shedding the needles. Cultural significance of white pine (12.39)John shares that Native Americans, particularly the Iroquois and the Algonquins (the Anishinabe) revered white pine. The Iroquois associate the 5 needle pines with the 5 original nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. High grading or forestry? (16.24)John acknowledges that logging helped people build homes, workplaces and bridges without importing. White pine is big and gave a lot of clear lumber, which could be cut into large sizes for large construction. “The tree that made North America” (28.31)New England colonists were not happy to share the lumber they harvested with England. The parliament passed laws marking white pines larger than 24” as reserved for the King, which resulted in a riot. What Nature means (38.53)“Europeans looked at natural resources as a commodity they needed to build civilization; First Nations looked at themselves as a part of nature”, John comments. They can choose not to share their stories (46.22)John is hopeful about the growing collaboration between foresters, ecologists and land managers and Indigenous Peoples. He cautions any white listeners not to demand Indigenous peoples share their stories. Magical mycorrhizae (59.48)John discusses mycorrhizae, the symbiotic relationships between plant roots and fungi. Mycorrhizae have helped restore white pine and protect forest cover. Fire protects forests (1.07.31)Thinning of young pines helped preserve the forest since the larger, older pines were more fire-tolerant due to their thick corky bark. This also helped people shift their perspective of fire. Ecological forestry (1.18.31)John agrees with the “save all the parts” philosophy but also sees the role timber plays in maintaining the sustainability of human populations. Many foresters today are mindful that their role is not to supply timber but to preserve the planet for future generations. An experiment in forest management (1.27.28)John believes that only successful forests which produce high-quality lumber are able to afford ecological silvicultural management of the forest. He discusses the difficulties in maintaining the different types of forests. Looking to the future (1.32.43)John summarizes that throughout history, each way of looking at forests has built upon and been added to the previous. Some views are coming into conflict now, but science will always take precedence when making decisions about the future of the forest.

Fire is many things; wild, controlled, rejuvenating, destructive, cultural, ecological, and most obviously, dangerous. Science writer Jacob Margolis lives in California where fire has become a constant worry. As a result, he plunged headfirst into the world of fire and came out with one of the best podcast series on fire that is available today. The Big Burn starts from the beginning and allows listeners to make sense of fire and to help them better understand, and therefore better cope with, the reality of fire. ResourcesThe Big Burn podcastJacob MargolisSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes28.40 - 28.50: “We clearly need a complete overhaul of how we handle fire and… forested ecosystems, especially here in the State of California.”TakeawaysKnowledge is power (05.08)Jacob loves being a science journalist because he gets to dive deep into things that interest him. Since 2017, he has covered fire to help people understand it and make it “a little less scary”. Playing with fire (08.48)Before starting his podcast, The Big Burn, Jacob felt scared and upset with fires. He has now spent time weatherizing his home by buying air purifiers. The podcast helps him understand how to approach the problem of fire.Fire season (13.46)Jacob states that the fire season in California comes around late August, and stays till early December. The Santa Ana winds start in September - October, and they wait till the winds come to an end in April or they get rain. Tell me a story (16.21)Jacob's journey of creating a podcast on fire was to find an angle that would appeal to the listeners, going from the threat of the loss of the giant sequoias to finding a middle ground with people who don't like trees.“Fire is not binary” (21.30)The episode on doing a prescribed burn was the easiest for Jacob to write because of the action and how relatable it was due to the explanations in the episode. Fire exclusion and suppression (23.56)Jacob highlights that tree ring records show that fuel buildup in the forests began in the mid-1800s. This is when the gold rush took place, which devastated Indigenous communities who had been actively managing the landscape. How wildfires change ecosystems (26.05)With climate change came high-intensity fires. The chaparral ecosystem of California used to recover with longer fire intervals, but with more frequent fires, the ecosystem was replaced by grass.Indigenous land management (29.44)Jacob explains that Native Americans had a different perspective on and relationship with the land. He believes present-day land use and management policies are worth examining against the Indigenous framework. Managing prescribed fires (36.15)Jacob laments that there isn't a robust enough system to handle a prescribed fire going awry, on the rare occasion that it does. There also isn't much incentive for firefighters to be around prescribed burns. The good fire angle (49.48)By introducing the high stakes of not doing prescribed burning, you can get buy-in and start to shift the conversation. If people could attend a prescribed burn, it would make it more relatable. Change is needed (1.00.40)Jacob is of the opinion that “how we treat our world is not working, especially when it comes to climate change”.

The old ways are changing. Technology moves fast, and with it our methods and strategies for managing the landscape. Artificial Intelligence, or machine learning, presents an incredible opportunity in forest management. Better and faster data means more time spent on other values. Values like biodiversity, clean water, carbon storage and recreation. Today we find out how far we have come and what lies ahead! Hopefully not Skynet…ResourcesCollective CrunchSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.TakeawaysForest inventories (13.22)Christof notes that forest inventories came into being after the overuse of forest resources in the industrial revolution and the realization that those resources are not unlimited. Country-wide inventories began only 100 years ago, and he claims Nordic and central European countries were the forerunners in this matter. Forestry is an area where AI actually works (19.07)Christof points out that LIDAR is done in 5-10 year cycles since acquiring data is expensive. They enrich data using their software to fill the gaps, making it cheaper. Rolf shares an example of how data can help track biodiversity loss to keep corporates accountable for their processes and offer transparency of ethics to consumers. Data-driven baselining (27.52)Rolf discusses one of their services, data-driven baselining for project management and bringing data into greenwashing conversations. Christof highlights that AI helps with squeezing the most out of the available data in a project. Rolf recognizes the benefits of this for a large landmass managed by a single entity. The data you need (34.08)Christof lists the various tools to acquire data at various levels of granularity and mentions that their customer segment usually looks for the medium scale of data. He talks about how modern AI systems are based on extracting and learning from existing data, the relationships between the data and what you want to predict. Limits (39.24)Rolf finds that the kind of data available can be limiting while Christof says ground measurements can be a limiting factor. Where LIDAR exists, technology can be used to augment the data between flights.Valid and reliable (51.19)Rolf talks about how data can provide a verifiable and scientific way to manage forests, and they are trying to convince the industry to become data-driven for scale. Their company can provide baseline analysis to help investors who are looking to invest in carbon credits. The North American story (1.00.01)Rolf foresees the carbon price continuing to go up in North America, which may incentivize forest owners to leave forests unharvested. Christof has observed change management initiatives in government forest organizations to embrace the new ways of managing forests. The data-driven future (1.10.08)Christof believes more and higher quality data is a matter of time. They are seeing exponential growth in data, and his dream is to have a digital equivalent of the world's forest cover, which would expand the possibilities of forest planning and management for the most economically optimal operations. Rolf adds that higher-resolution data is needed for biodiversity initiatives, but that we are on our way there.

Public forests hold a lot of value for people. Clean water, fresh air, organic food, rich ecosystems, recreation opportunities, and timber for our homes. Now, it is forest professionals job to manage the public resource for these values. Only, how do we know what the public values? Have we asked? This episode is about social license, and the idea of a forest profession that is forever moving forward to better protect the public interest.ResourcesAssociation of Alberta Forest Management Professionals (AAFMP)Rocky Mountain Goat AllianceThe Myth of the Omnipotent ForesterHas the Myth of the Omnipotent Forester Become the Reality of the Impotent Forester?SponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes33.06 - 33.11: “Our inherent nature is to read and seek information that supports our bias.” TakeawaysFor the people (13.00)Carla defines the role of the regulator as protecting the public interest by ensuring foresters are qualified and pursuing continuing competence. In forestry, forest professionals are responsible to apply the values of the public in their work. She highlights the importance of ongoing public consultation, communication and relationship building. The forestry industry (23.40)Carla talks about how the industry is different today, with increased interaction with the public and the earning of social licences since most of what forest professionals do has a significant public impact. She encourages those looking to enter the industry to make the most of their time at school, selecting electives wisely and conducting informational interviews with professionals in the field to shine a light on their blind spots in the profession. She also celebrates reading about different perspectives in the field to broaden one's horizons and ignite creativity.“One of the core foundations of ethics is continuing competence” (36.10)Carla laments that forestry has been accused of being stuck to old ways, but she finds foresters to be open and receptive. It is essential to be abreast with up-to-date science and apply it to one's work, as due diligence. In the Friday notices she sends to all AAFMP members, she includes links to new information and Matt's podcast. Lifelong learning (55.33)The continuing competence program is defined by the AAFMP council and is regularly reviewed. The intent is to move away from hours-based programs to competence profiles, which can lead to career growth. Carla gives the example of the Forest Technologist Standards they developed, which include soft sciences and an Indigenous component. Being open (1.02.23)Carla believes curiosity forms a large part of successful competency training. When one approaches Indigenous consultation from a place of inquiry, it prevents missing the big pieces of the conversation. She shares how AAFMP revised their exam to better help entrants in the field. “Public interest is a moving target” (1.12.00)Carla believes in encouraging people to be a part of the process of this self-regulated profession and to volunteer for committees that help make it what it is. She explains how her work involves balancing the interests of the bulk of the people with protecting minorities and being fair to the fringes of the profession.

Good Fire podcast is back! This is a bonus episode where we get to listen to the very knowledgeable, very passionate, and very engaged Bhiamie Williamson. We talk about cultural fire in Australia and the difference between western and Indigenous perspectives on fire, and our relationship to it. Episode highlightIn this podcast, Bhiamie Williamson discusses the connection of Indigenous peoples to the land, and how cultural burning is a way to preserve the environment and cultural heritage. ResourcesStrength from perpetual grief: how Aboriginal people experience the bushfire crisisRoyal Commission into National Natural Disaster ArrangementsSponsorsThe Canadian Partnership for Wildland Fire ScienceSupport from:● California Indian Water Commission● Firesticks Alliance Indigenous CorporationQuotes12.00 - 12.10: “There is so much trauma in our communities, people have never had the opportunity, I feel, to kind of pick themselves up and dust themselves off from colonization.”TakeawaysFire is a shared resource (5.58)As an Aboriginal child growing up in Australia surrounded by his culture, Bhiamie “always had a love for country”. He studied environmental and political sciences at university, and discovered the benefits of cultural burning. Land is at the center of healing (11.26)Bhiamie points out that fire plays an important role in Indigenous healing practices. Cultural burning can also prevent wildfires, thus preventing the trauma of losing ancestral lands.Sharing the load (19.04)Bhiamie has written an article that has inspired governments and agencies to provide trauma-informed support to Aboriginal peoples after natural disasters.The land is a living museum (24.42)Bhiamie informs that Aboriginal peoples have connections to land, and the animals, trees, stones, and petroglyphs are all part of the cultural heritage. “The best form of protecting is prevention” (30.22)Bhiamie recommends engaging Indigenous peoples in emergency management and prevention conversations which can help in high-pressure conditions. “Think ahead and be happy to be unsettled” (38.37)Bhiamie comments on the impacts of colonization and “centuries of oppression”, and the need to overturn it. True reconciliation (46.59)Bhiamie expresses his preference to have Indigenous peoples design their own emergency management programs across different lands in Australia.Children of the future (59.19)A majority of the Aboriginal population is young, which brings up the need to provide educational and developmental support along with family and social support. “It's just not good enough to ignore us anymore” (1.02.37)Bhiamie observes that even when Indigenous peoples are invited to share their opinion, they are marginalized, with tokenized opportunities that contain the impact they can have. Indigenizing masculinity (1.08.41)Bhiamie's Ph.D. research is on Indigenous men and masculinity, exploring masculinity from an Indigenous perspective. “You can call that decolonization, I just call that common sense” (1.14.13)In Bhiamie's opinion, the first step to decolonization is to employ Indigenous peoples in senior roles. Land justice and repossession by Indigenous peoples, as well as cultural burning to manage climate change, are the next steps. You can get in touch with the hosts of this podcast via email: amy.christianson@canada.ca and yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

Many of us have heard of invasive species. We may even know a few species that are wreaking havoc in your local area. You have heard the doom and gloom of extinct species and ecosystem collapse. However, have your heard the success stories? How people have successfully managed to reclaim native landscapes and return species from the brink of extinction? Well, this is the good news story for you! We talk invasive species eradication on islands, and what we can learn from it. ResourcesWes JolleyDena SpatzSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes46.02 - 46.12: “Eradications are not just done by one group of people; it is an incredibly collaborative effort that really comes from the people that live on the islands first.” Takeaways“Biodiversity is concentrated on islands” (18.55)Dena differentiates between non-native species, a species that has been introduced outside of its native range, and invasive species, a non-native species that causes harm to that ecosystem. Island species (22.25)Dena highlights that island species lose their defences. Islands are hotspots for endemism, which makes them epicenters for extinction. The human element (27.14)Humans are carriers of invasive species, inhabitants of the island, creators of its culture and the victims of damage by invasive species.Invasive species cost over a trillion dollars (32.00)A one-time action and then opportunities for human-assisted recovery create a long-term sense of biosecurity through financial and conservation investments. Nuanced conservation (41.15)A value-based conservation approach considers the broader benefits of biodiversity restoration, like increasing productivity in surrounding areas. Collaborative and holistic efforts (45.57)Dena highlights the importance of recognizing the values and needs of the community where eradication efforts take place. The local community is mindful of preventing invasive species from coming to their islands. Considerations in conservation efforts (52.11)Together, Pacific Rim Conservation and Island Conservation are creating ways to ensure restoration after the eradication of invasive species and build predator-proof fencing to prevent further invasions. Global conservation efforts (1.04.29)The Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications brings to light all the invasive species eradications and conservation efforts around the world over time. “We can only do what we have the tech to be able to do” (1.10.42)Dena knows there is a lot more work to be done but that there are tools and information available to make it possible. The cost of harm by invasive species is a big driver for change.It's raining iguanas! (1.18.30)Dena shares some examples of translocating native species to restoration sites instead of completely eradicating invasive species, sharing some techniques used and the behaviour pattern of the seabirds involved. Taking a leaf from the island book (1.27.17)Dena highlights that islands are insular systems due to their geographic separation by water, but the lessons from island conservation efforts can be applied to other insular areas like mountaintops. Proactive control (1.32.53)Dena acknowledges that a globalized economy with its import-export trade and travel brings with it invasive species. There are political controls in place to ensure biosecurity and protect agriculture and the economy.

In Honour of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada I am re-releasing one of my favourite episodes. Assistant Professor Matthew Wildcat breaks down the history and meaning of Canadian Treaties with Indigenous people. He explains that we are all treaty people and that everyone has a role to play in upholding the rights and freedoms treaties represent.ResourcesMatthew WildcatSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Damaged TimberQuotes1.29.25 - 1.29.37: “In the Canadian situation, what decolonization means is that you have to shift from becoming somebody who is a colonizer to somebody who is a treaty partner.”TakeawaysGovernance (5.14)Matthew is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Native Studies at the University of Alberta, interested in how Indigenous peoples govern today. Laws (10.01)First nations politics cannot be spoken about without addressing its relationship with Canadian society. Two-way (17.13)Treaties are the nuances of the relationship Indigenous peoples share with settlers. Foundation (21.22)Understand treaties as the reason for Canada's creation, to prevent it from devolving into a story of conquest. Symbiosis (29.09)Hudson's Bay Company relied on Indigenous peoples to perform their fur trade and sell them food. Bison (32.57)Bison herds were collapsing, which were the pillars of Indigenous economies and food. Signing (35.36)Not many Indigenous peoples spoke English, but many non-native people spoke Cree. Indigenous peoples used interpreters during negotiations, but a lot was lost in translation. Understanding (38.32)Indigenous peoples did not look to draw boundaries but expected that their permission be sought before sharing land.The Indian Act (43.24)The Indian Act was meant to enfranchise native people to become “full Canadian citizens” so there would no longer be “an Indian problem”. Dishonouring (48.10)The Riel Resistance of 1885 was bubbling with the general discontent with treaty terms not being honoured. Barriers (54.30)Many policies implemented by the Department of Indian Affairs undercut Indigenous farming efforts. Trauma (1.00.43)The ever-present trauma that residential school survivors suffer from makes life difficult. Reserves (1.04.02)Reserves isolate people and prevent communities from linking. Many Indian agents disallowed people to leave the reserve without a pass.Difficulty (1.09.33)Residential schools not only affected the students, but also the parents who had to live without children on their reserves. he can see how addictions could arise in such situations.Relationships (1.15.05)The most important aspect of this era is a willingness to have a relationship with Indigenous peoples, with their variety of life experiences and views. Allyship (1.21.13)As treaty partners, we all have to believe that Indigenous peoples have political rights, which will form the basis of the political relationships between us.Partnership (1.26.07)We have to put more effort into thinking about how Indigenous peoples will prosper and become true treaty partners in recognizing the political relationship. Change (1.36.12)The concepts of truth and reconciliation have allowed non-Indigenous peoples to tie the current situation of Indigenous peoples with its historical reasons.

Cultural Fire is something we have discussed quite a lot on this podcast. Today, we get to hear from some folks in Parks Canada about how they will be opening up the door to cultural fire. Some really open minded and thoughtful people at Parks have made it possible for Indigenous voices to be heard and for real change to be made. Getting Good Fire back on the land, in a place that is synonymous with “wilderness”, is a huge step in the right direction for understanding our relationship to land. ResourcesA Time For Burning by Henry LewisUnited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous PeoplesSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Forest ProudQuotes27.02 - 27.08: “If we look at cultural burning just from a fire perspective, you are missing the whole picture about… mental health and other things.”TakeawaysCultural burning differences (11.02)Each Indigenous community burns for different reasons, using different techniques. Impact of colonization (12.26)Cultural burning was carried out till settlers brought in fire exclusion policies. Truth and reconciliation (13.30)Parks Canada is honest about its history of removing people from the landscape. Relearning cultural burning (15.30)Amy began learning the importance of fire on the landscape from Métis Elders.Creating more fire-keepers (19.18)There is a need to train more Indigenous peoples to become fire-keepers. Prescribed vs. cultural burning (21.54)Amy points out that prescribed and cultural burning are not the same. Using cultural practices on the land (25.33)It can only be up to Indigenous peoples to define cultural burning and come into Parks Canada to do that. Making meaningful strides with reconciliation (33.18)Pierre's ex-wife is Miꞌkmaq and he is inspired to bring back their cultural practices, like burning, to the land to maintain ecological integrity for his 2 daughters.Indigenous ways of knowing (41.34)Indigenous peoples feel frustrated by fire policies that were created by non-Indigenous people who had no connection to cultural burning. Long road ahead (45.05) Some challenges in bringing Indigenous knowledge into the mainstream are official processes, oral records, cultural appropriation and multiple land claims.Enabling Indigenous collaboration (47.25)Amy has been brought in as a dedicated resource to help fire managers remove barriers to Indigenous participation with Parks Canada.Programs, people, personalities (52.21)Amy is working on a cultural burn program, a series of workshops, associated field trips, and coordinating with the Métis nation on re-writing fire policy and conducting workshops.Removing barriers (1.01.00)Amy assessed the barriers to managing fire and claims there is work to be done to remove those. Knowledge keeping (1.06.00)Involving Indigenous communities and Elders keeps the knowledge protected so they can burn with support from Parks Canada. Looking ahead (1.14.00)Recent fires have made people nervous to put fire back on the ground, but researchers have affirmed its need. Be a good ally (1.18.18)Being a good ally is “using your power to make space for Indigenous peoples”.

Wildfires and Climate Change… what a combo. Dr. Susan Prichard came on the show to talk about how we might start to adapt our forests to the impacts of a changing fire regime due to a rapidly changing climate. What tools and methods can be used to help mitigate some of the most dangerous aspects of the fire reality we live in today. Episode highlightIn this episode, Susan Prichard talks about using prescribed burning as a way to prevent runaway wildfires and manage climate change. ResourcesDr. Susan J PrichardAdapting western North American forests to climate change and wildfires: 10 common questionsSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Damaged TimberForest ProudGiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes16.24 - 16.35: “Indigenous knowledge persists and… Indigenous people throughout western North America had a really good handle on living in fire country.” TakeawaysAt the cusp of management and research (04.28)Susan thinks of herself as a forest ecologist more than a wildfire ecologist. Wanting to be the best scientist she could be has inspired her throughout her career. The case for adaptive management (07.42)Susan is interested in adapting forests to a warmer climate. She's been noticing similarities in fire intensity increases, fire loss patterns and fuel loading. Active management of wildfire (14.00)Susan notes that there are polarized views even in forest ecology. She highlights the need for active management of wildfires.The change conundrum (20.29)Susan describes how forests have changed due to the loss of Indigenous fire tending and how climate change is impacting the nature of fire. Balancing priorities (27.02)Susan talks about how “management is always very place-based” and that some tools work in certain places, not others. Thinning vs. burning (29.23)Susan observes that prescribed burning works well to clean up the fuels that carry high-intensity fire. Combined with thinning, it helps forests achieve more drought tolerance. The rewards of patience (35.04)Susan has noticed burn crews practice patience so that fire can be restorative instead of aggressive. She also respects firefighting crews for the work they do in wildfire incidents. Broker a new reality with fire (45.47)Susan's “number 1 priority for society is to cap greenhouse gas emissions”, though we would still be living in a warm or dry climate. Fire and smoke-adapted (49.36)Susan talks about how people are using indoor air purifiers to be prepared for the next smoke event, to protect themselves from volatile organic compounds. Fire-wise and Fire-smart (53.36)Even though it is difficult for fire-impacted communities to deal with more smoke, there is an increased acceptance of prescribed burning. Communities are learning from one another about cultural burning too, and Susan hopes to do her part as a good ally to empower Indigenous voices to be a part of land management decisions.A can-do attitude (1.02.31)Supportive management, tolerance for mistakes and a certain risk appetite help fire stewardship, which will prevent any runaway wildfires. “Prescribed burning gets an excelled report card” (1.10.45)Susan states that prescribed fire escapes are less than 1% in the USA. She wants prescribed burners to be as supported and appreciated as firefighters are.

That's right, logging Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada. Blasphemy you say? We have to protect the resource! We have to keep it “pristine”, “untouched”, “wild”! Well…you are not alone in that thought. However, we are now realizing that maybe “letting nature take care of itself” is not the best strategy. Time to think outside the box. Jasper had a problem, they took a risk, and a lot of people learned a lot of neat things. ResourcesCanforSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Damaged TimberForest ProudGiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes1.14.49 - 1.14.57: ”The more collaboration and… open and honest work that you can do with people upfront, the better off the project's going to be.” TakeawaysThen and now (04.56)David speaks of the change in perspective from putting fires out in the early 1900s to shifting to Indigenous fire management and how fire protects the forest.Reducing fire risk (07.11)David's team began considering removing the fuel load from Jasper National Park mechanically to reduce fire risk in the community.Protecting the community (11.34)David mentions that logging in a national park has become more common to deal with fire risks in the community. Landon recounts the history of logging in Jasper National Park. Doing right by the people (25.43)They wanted the logging to be at the lowest cost to the public, so they used the value of the wood logged to cover the cost of the project. They picked Canfor for their ecological focus.The right people for the job (32.19)Kari knew Canfor had the right equipment and experience from working on different projects with different organizations. Kari also has extensive experience and education in ecology. The top two objectives (37.59)The two objectives - to reduce the canopy fuel density to reduce the risk of severe wildfire and to maintain ecological integrity, were equally important to David and Landon. Wins and challenges (40.29)Kari describes the equipment, season and process used which protected the ground from disturbance.Protection and forestry (44.20)For Jasper National Park and Canfor, arriving at a common point of view and language was a necessary undertaking to achieve goals in time. Finding the balance (55.45)Those involved with this project wanted to leave a good legacy, to have the soil be as unaffected as possible while logging. Canfor suggested some procedures in order to do so.The know-how (1.02.18)Shelley viewed the logging project as a good fit for her to take on, given her experience navigating the complexities of contractual agreements and speaking the loggers' language.Finding a way out (1.06.35)Shelley believes in the non-prescriptive approach with loggers so new possibilities can show up for both ecological and economical sustainability to be achieved. The memories etched onto the land (1.10.45)Different parts of the landscape are meaningful to different people, and balancing that with the economics of the task is challenging, Kari acknowledges.The path forward (1.18.56)Some areas of Jasper National Park are marked for Indigenous partners to use for ceremonies and gatherings. Reducing fire risk in the area is part of a continuing conversation to bring cultural burning back on the land.

Bear safety information is more riddled with opinions and ego than twitter. Guns vs spray, brown bears vs black bears, run vs play dead, climb a tree vs run down hill. Let the science of bear safety clarify things for you. Kim Titchener has nearly 2 decades of working with bears doing research, education, and even babysitting the big furry animals. She lays the groundwork and dispels the myths you have been hearing your entire life. Clarity is found here. This is not your fathers bear safety tips.ResourcesBear Safety & MoreSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Damaged TimberForest ProudGiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes9.59 - 10.05: “It shocks me… the grace at which these animals let us continue to live with them.”TakeawaysFinding her bearings (05.13)Kim's family, early jobs and education set her on the path of working with bears. Bear safety and more (12.41)Kim helps industries create courses on safety with black, grizzly and polar bears. However, she has to prove her expertise as a woman, using science and experience.Things Kim can't bear (17.22)Kim laments that people still think they can outrun a bear or climb a tree to escape. She points out that guns cannot be loaded and shot precisely as bear sprays can. Bearing the brunt (21.32)The media blames bears for any mishap, but Kim highlights that most of the time, it is the people's fault, and she believes the media needs to be mindful of its narrative. Bear necessities (31.15)Be loud, carry bear spray, stay in large groups, and don't leave children unsupervised or dogs unleashed. Avoid being outdoors at dusk and dawn, and never approach a bear! Every season is bear season (40.53)Kim's course teaches about bears' seasonal behaviours and what they feed on at different times of the year, so you can be mindful of those plants. Defensive bears (42.21)If you run into a bear with cubs or a carcass or if you surprise a bear at close range, they become defensive, huffing, jaw popping, paw pounding, foaming and drooling. Back away.Bear down (48.41)If a defensive bear is not appeased by your backing away and charges toward you, use your bear spray. If you do not have any or can't spray it in time, drop to the ground and play dead.Bare your teeth! (52.50)Kim warns against playing dead in a predatory attack! Instead, use bear spray and fight back. Hit the bear with rocks or branches in their eyes or nose. Not your average bear (57.38)Predatory bears show different signs than defensive bears - they will approach you in any pattern - directly, zig-zag or appear next to you. They may pull their ears back sometimes. No use bearing arms (1.06.18)Bear bangers can further aggravate a defensive bear or go off behind them, causing them to charge toward you. Many gun encounters have led to the loss of human lives.Bear spray for the win! (1.14.27)Bear spray inflames the mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, mouth, lungs and skin, causing involuntary eye closure, making the bear cough, gag and have difficulty in breathing.

Our forests are being stolen! One tree at a time! And it can all be blamed on poverty. After logging towns are surrounded by protected areas and all of the industry has stopped, what are the people who have created a life there for generations supposed to do? It is their identity, who they are, it is all they know, logging, and it has been taken away. Some of those desperate people continue to do what they know, and it is costing the rest of society dearly. ResourcesLyndsie's profile Lyndsie's book Pre-order now!SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Forest Proud: https://forestproud.org/ Quotes32.43 - 32.52: “Because old growth is a carbon sink,... For an old growth to be stolen has quite an impact on the environment and a forest's ability to adapt.”TakeawaysTree sleuthing (8.43)The first time Lyndsie heard about tree poaching was when one of the largest red cedars in Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park on Vancouver Island was poached in 2012. Following the trails (17.21)On Vancouver Island, Lyndsie shadowed natural resource officers and discovered that old growth douglas fir and cedar are the most poached there. Drugs and poaching (21.33)There is widespread drug use in the poaching community, so the poacher takes the wood directly to the drug dealer. The damage (29.24)In the USA, poaching of forest service land is valued at 20 million dollars a year, accounting for 1 in 10 felled trees being poached, which has reduced the amount of old growth left. The person, the poacher (34.15)The poachers shared the challenges of living in a community that never recovered from stopping industrial logging in their interviews with LyndsieLumber families (37.49)Lyndsie shares that one of the towns she went to had families who had moved there for logging and saw it as a part of their lineage and identity. Revenge poaching (50.25)In the pacific northwest, logging towns that were once stable economies degenerated into hubs of unemployment, homelessness and drug use after logging was stopped. Million missteps (56.05)Lyndsie believes that the poachers need to be listened to and systems changed since many mistakes have been made over the history of conservation to lead to this place. Multinational economy (1.01.01)Lyndsie found some similarities in her research in Peru and BC. Immediate financial security from poaching has taken away from the consequences of reducing old growth. Whose land? (1.05.29)Hiring people in desperate poverty to poach a tree on a foreign land who may not question what they are being asked to do, damages the Indigenous people's ancestral property. Trees changing hands (1.09.39)Lyndsie outlines the many places a tree goes when it is poached, and how difficult it is for investigators to intercept the process, due to its transport process and proving the source. Community (1.19.01)There is a community forest right outside Lyndsie's door and she sees community forests as providing a way to conserve that also incorporates use. A perfect storm (1.25.58)A poacher acknowledged that the history of clearing land in North America is associated with disenfranchising Indigenous peoples.

Forests suck up roughly 30% of our carbon emissions annually. If we want a fighting chance against climate change, we need them to keep doing this, and if possible to suck up more. However, there are different theories as how to best manage forest for carbon storage. Luckily, some research has shed some light on this issue. Do new forests suck up more carbon than old? How does carbon released during a forest fire compare to carbon released during harvesting? How do we do the most good for the most people?ResourcesSierra ClubSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Damaged TimberForest ProudQuotes1.01.34 - 1.01.44: “We know that forests can be a missing piece of… the things we could do to combat climate change.”TakeawaysForest service: then and now (12.11)Jim narrates the history of logging and construction in US forests, which inspired the conservation movement in the late 1800s. Canada and USA differences (16.45)Jim outlines the differences between Canada and the USA: Canada has less people but more public forest estate and uses less wood.Determine where to conserve nature (24.15)Bev has been involved in various aspects of global carbon cycle research for over 30 years to understand the role of forests in taking carbon from the atmosphere. Carbon density and biodiversity (28.00)Bev's team's research showed that where carbon density was higher, so was biodiversity. They modelled future carbon accumulation under future climate conditions. Forest carbon accounting (32.40)Afforestation increases forest carbon 10 times more than reforestation, and a young forest takes the “slow in, fast out” approach in restoring carbon balance. “Greatest good for the greatest number” (37.59)While private industrial lands are managed for economic value, public forests, particularly old growth ones, should be managed for carbon sequestration. Reexamining forest management practices (42.37)Jim shares his experience working with the forest of the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990s when the northern spotted owls became endangered, which stopped the massive logging. “The environment is the people at large” (49.15)Jim's book, Toward a Natural Forest, expounds his views on managing climate change and meeting natural resource needs by restoring the character of mature and old growth forests. Strategic forest reserves (1.00.34)Alex proposes thinking along the lines of creating executive action for old growth and mature forests' direct mapping, cataloguing and conservation. Measure twice, cut once (1.06.46)Bev discusses her research around carbon stocks in mature and old growth forests. Maturity of different species and fire intensity of the forests impact forest management approaches. Captain Planet (1.17.14)Bev would like to protect species biodiversity and drinking water sources, and prevent extinction on federal lands. “With fire, it's one size does not fit all” (1.20.32) Bev speaks about the considerations in fire and forest management and how fire impacts different types of forests differently. Hold onto the forests and grow more (1.27.25)Jim clarifies that prescribed burning only causes 2-3% of carbon to be lost to the atmosphere but the forest soon recovers and starts sequestering carbon again. Review this podcast, share it on Instagram and Facebook, and give us your feedback!

How can we build a relationship with forests that everyone can be proud of? How can we stand up for forests while supporting human development? How can we be a part of forest climate solutions? We need public engagement! Forest Proud can help with that. We talk forests as climate solutions, forest values, tree data, and my favorite, tree equity!SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ Forest Proud: https://forestproud.org/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes06.02 - 06.06: “If you live, work or play with forests or forest products, we think you are part of the climate solution.”TakeawaysForest climate solutions (05.44)Rae is Director, Partner Experience at Forest Proud, a non-profit supporting forest climate solutions by championing sustainable forestry and helping people establish a symbiotic relationship with forests and forest products. Everyone, from those who enjoy forests to those who work with forests, has a part to play in stewarding forest climate solutions. Tell me your story (9.11)Forest Proud helps different parties working with forests tell their stories to each other to see how they form a cohesive whole. They also find content that is relevant to forest management and bring them into social conversations to support climate solutions. They also dig deeper into conversations already taking place to help inform and educate about the cycle of forest management. Education and information to inform solutions (12.38)Rae talks about how people's perceptions of forestry can be varied and shaped by the media. and believes that everyone can be a part of forest climate solutions.Lead with pride (17.40)Rae recommends sharing the passion foresters feel and how they are a part of the solution, to help others see how they can contribute to climate solutions through their own actions. Rae believes “that ability to feel plugged into something bigger than us is something that is missing“, which stories can provide. Be the change (22.03)Rae studied social sciences at university and enjoyed activities like hiking, hunting and fishing. Rae worked in data collection and communication for the social sector for 5-6 years, observing the impact of forests on anti-poverty data. Doing tree planting and advocacy on the side, Rae found forestry to be an ideal career to combine people-based solutions with environmental solutions. #forestproud (33.01)Forest Proud has created an online community of people advancing forest solutions through #forestproud. Forest Proud can help craft your message in a way that is relatable to different people at different stages of environmental concern and contribution. Tree equity (48.12)Rae defines tree equity as having enough trees in any locality so that all residents can enjoy the benefits of trees - health, economic, recreational, and emotional. There should be at least 3 trees for every person to enjoy.

Plant a tree. Plant another tree. Plant 1,999,999,998 more. That is what Canada is planning to do in the name of fighting climate change. 2 Billion trees planted by 2030. The Canadian Forest Service estimates that by 2050, the 2 billion additional trees planted could reduce GHG emissions by up to 12 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e) annually – the equivalent of taking over 2 million gasoline-powered cars off the road each year. If that is not a big deal, I am not sure what is. Today we talk with representatives from The Canadian Forest Service(Government), Coast to Coast Reforestation (Nurseries), and Project Forest(Afforestation and Silviculture) to try and cover all the angles of this monumental task.Resources Anne-Hélène Mathey: https://sustain.forestry.ubc.ca/people/former-students/doctorates/dr-anne-helene-mathey/ Mike Toffan: https://projectforest.ca/team/mike-toffan/Scott Formaniuk: https://treetimeservices.ca/about/our-teamBraiding Sweetgrass: https://www.amazon.ca/Braiding-Sweetgrass-Indigenous-Scientific-Knowledge/dp/1571313567/ref=asc_df_1571313567/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=293014842916&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6906331647491887417&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001251&hvtargid=pla-625520155112&psc=1 Quotes20.56 - 21.01: “You don't just plant any trees anywhere. You have to have the right tree, the right place.”TakeawaysProgress statistics (13.25)2 billion dollars have been allocated to the 10-year 2 Billion Trees program, beginning in 2021. Over 30 million trees of 50 species have been planted in 1 year across 500+ Canada sites.Right tree, right place (19.34)Anne-Hélène shares that tree planting is a challenging process. She envisions supply chain issues with seed collection, timing, and species that can adapt to the location's climate. Planting logistics (25.34)Anne-Hélène discusses the option for multi-year contribution agreements in the program, wherein planting organizations become partners for a set number of years. Biodiversity benefits (30.05)Anne-Hélène would like to work in partnership with Indigenous groups, municipalities and private organizations. Trees must be planted on ecologically sound lands. Human benefits (38.19) In his experiences engaging the Indigenous communities, Mike has seen a “real, meaningful impact”. Planting a tree can be an enjoyably unique way to interact with nature. Planting impacts (44.42)Anne-Hélène is motivated by the progress the program has made the impact it has had on different communities. Mike ran a ‘Submit Your Tree Story' contest, revealing impacts. Location decisions (49.33)Anne-Hélène mentions that they are working with wildlife service partners towards ensuring planting sites that will be most beneficial to support habitats and wildfire reduction. Planting partners (56.44)Scott highlights the importance of working with partners and forestry professionals to assess areas for planting based on the effects of burns. Empowering nurseries (59.33)Anne-Hélène speaks about training applicants who are not professional foresters and the infrastructure-style investments for nursery expansion. Tree talk (1.07.11)Anne-Hélène looks to those in the supply chain for feedback and to point the way forward for the next 9 years, addressing the climate and biodiversity challenges. The bigger picture (1.17.52)Anne-Hélène laments that the program is restricted to the 10-year timeline; communication will be paramount to keep course-correcting through this time frame.

What would forestry look like if Indigenous cultural values were the driving force behind management decisions, instead of western values? How would it be different? What would it mean to put timber as a secondary priority to ecosystem health? What if the primary intention of harvesting was to accomplish some ecosystem goal? What happens to the ecosystem? The community? The money? Let's find out.ResourcesWestbank First Nation: https://www.wfn.ca/ SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes11.22 - 11.34: “I really want to be that voice for the trees, the voice for the land itself, the voice for the water, and all the things that haven't had a voice up until this point or a limited voice at the very least.” TakeawaysDave's forestry journey (4.24)Dave has recently gotten the opportunity to work with Westbank First Nation on their community forest. This has changed how he thinks of forestry and land. Jordan's forestry journey (09.24)Jordan, a member of the Westbank First Nation, has been elected to the council since 2019. He works with the community forest using a stewardship value approach. “The work on the land is healing for our people” (16.27)Jordan says that working in the community forest is a way for Indigenous people to re-establish the connection to the land that colonization took from them. Decision-making based on what the land wants, not what regulations want (18.12)Dave acknowledges that every member of the ecosystem is interconnected. He regularly seeks feedback on forestry initiatives from diverse members of the community. Active healing comes with honest discussions (23.54)Jordan sees the opportunity for community forest members to work with the industry as a form of reconciliation and relationship building. Upholding and incorporating Indigenous values (27.48)Jordan feels that by helping foresters protect the lands by sharing Indigenous land values and laws, First Nations members can affect political change. “The worst plan you can have is the plan you can finish” (35.04)Dave shares that land plans evolve constantly as more knowledge is added by community members about different portions of the community forest. Connection and responsibility (41.37)Jordan adds that stewardship springs from our responsibility to recognize Indigenous land rights as well as the implications one decision has on another aspect of the land. 7 generational planning (48.00)Dave talks about basing all their forest management principles on the 7 generation planning framework, which considers the impact on the land for 7 generations to come. WFN Management (1.03.16)Dave explains the structure of the Westbank First Nation community forest management, licensing agreements and economic model. However, he maintains that “ensuring the land is cared for” in the best interest of the community is more important than profits.Knowledge beyond the books (1.17.04)Dave states Indigenous and non-Indigenous local knowledge is needed when working with any land, which is gained by conversing with those who have an intimate connection with the land.

Any chance I get to pick this guy's brain I do it! Garry has spent decades considering the clashing of two cultures, Indigenous and western culture, and how the miscommunication between them has built up barriers that are difficult to break through. Garry lays out his experience, as an Indigenous person, and as a forester, regarding the past present and future of land management, communication, and collaboration. He explains the earth-based land ethic held by many First Nations cultures, and how this land ethic may be the answer to many of our questions, or at the very least worth considering.Episode highlightGarry Merkel speaks about the role that earth-based land management practice plays in restoring ecosystem integrity and health.ResourcesStudies discussed by Garry in this episode regarding moose browse;The exceptional value of intact forest ecosystemshttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/323399911_The_exceptional_value_of_intact_forest_ecosystemsRoads and their major ecological effectshttps://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.29.1.207Nutritional Quality and Tannin Astringency of Browse in Clear-Cuts and Old-Growth Forestshttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/271694789_Nutritional_Quality_and_Tannin_Astringency_of_Browse_in_Clear-Cuts_and_Old-Growth_ForestsReconciliation with Garry Merkel: https://yourforestpodcast.com/episode-1/2021/11/29/btlw1dfftblgwjopr1bsspxc8zveltSponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes1.21.10 - 1.21.20: “The likelihood of you being earth-centered increases significantly when you understand that your survival is completely dependent on taking care of the earth.” TakeawaysPublic expectation (06.44)Garry explains how the role of the forester has expanded over the years to address too many issues, including economic demands. This has contributed to the loss of ecosystem function and biodiversity. Industrial Forestry (10.54)Garry talks about how the negative effects of large-scale industrial forestry in BC have only been recognized in the last few decades. Clear Cuts (19.45)Garry points out that the primary harvesting system in BC is clear-cutting which sets the ecosystem back because of the amount of disturbance. Learning the hard way (26.38)Garry claims that our society is now making different choices after seeing the impact of past choices. Synergistic land care (34.44)Garry highlights how New Zealand, Australia and a town in Wisconsin have modified their land management systems to align with the indigenous land ethic. Radical regenerative forestry (41.16)Garry shares about groups who are working on regenerative forestry to restore the health of the ecosystem by shutting down industrial activities for a while. Indigenous ethic (45.46)Garry is working with UBC to create an indigenous land center to gather and document the earth-centered land ethic. Outcome, not output (1.00.05)Garry says that we need to be very conscious of cost and efficiency so that we can afford to conduct sustainable land management. Relationship plans (1.10.27)Garry, as a scientist, has found many instances where indigenous knowledge has “turned out to be way more valuable than scientific knowledge”. Earth at the core (1.17.50)Garry dispels the myths that earth-centered management is uniquely indigenous and that all indigenous groups have it. Caring for the land (1.24.38)Garry is a strong supporter of how earth-centered ideologies are translating to land stewardship systems, some of which are pragmatic and economically effective. Nature is unpredictable (1.34.15)Garry states that you are doomed to frustration if you assume that nature is predictable. Positive change (1.39.44)Garry's way is to educate and engage all the relevant parties, bring in the best scientists and foster a covenant with everyone to achieve the best outcomes possible. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

You know those soggy, low places, where the trees are leaning like they have had too much to drink, and the sharp yellow of the Tamaracks in fall makes you want to go for a long walk? Those are the places we are discussing today. Edward Struzik joins me to discuss his new book, Swamplands. He details the cultural histories, folklore, economic activities, species at risk, carbon capture capacity, flood mitigation and future, of the world's peatlands. ResourcesEdward's book: Swamplands: Tundra Beavers, Quaking Bogs, and the Improbable World of PeatSponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes34.37- 34.49: “Peatlands offer a much much better opportunity to deal with climate change issues and… also mitigate floods.” TakeawaysBiological hotspots (04.42)Edward speaks about his month-long river trip bursting with biodiversity which inspired him to write his book. He realized that peatlands provide great soil conditions as a medium for growth due to the accumulation of partially decayed vegetation in the wet, cold environment. From pollutification to peatlands (13.09)Edward explains that peatlands are formed by a kind of swamping. Swamps and marshes don't accumulate as much peat as quickly as fens and bogs do, which are the primary accumulators of peat.Wetlands are not wastelands (16.33)Edward shares some superstitions surrounding wetlands that arose due to the methane making them glow in the dark. The smell of Sulphur dioxide arising from the peat as well as the diseases from the bacteria in the water supply have evoked a revulsion in the public. An inexpensive, healthy ecosystem with carbon storage (28.01)The peatland ecosystem has 5 times more carbon storage capacity than an equivalent area in the Amazon rainforest. Peat releases polysaccharides which block bacterial growth, it filters runoff from the farms to prevent the growth of algae in lakes, helps in preventing forest fires, mitigates floods, and hosts many carnivorous plants. How to save the planet (37.01)Edward has been advocating and teaching about controlled burning to thin out the forest, as indigenous communities do, which reduces the intensity of fires and makes more moisture available. Restoring the peatland, restoring the habitat (51.60)Edward laments that limiting peatlands prevents the 3 to 5 billion birds that migrate from the south to nest. He cites studies and recalls stories discussing how different species of animals take refuge in peatlands. Protecting the protector of nature (1.06.59)With investment toward restoring peatlands, Edward says that we can “have much more success storing carbon, filtering water, buffering forests from wildfire and protecting endangered species”. Read, enjoy and learn! (1.18.25)Edward's aim in his book is to translate the debate of complex scientific issues to dinner-party conversation for the reader. He also aims to be more positive and centered, using optimism in his writing instead of picking sides in a battle. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

If we want healthy ecosystems, we must balance the human demands of nature with the ecosystem's capacity to provide it. For centuries, eastern Canada has experienced massive fire suppression, nearly complete loss of cultural fire, clearing for agriculture and homesteading, planting of non-native trees species for timber harvesting and so many other disturbances to its natural ecology. La Mauricie National Park is trying to right some of those wrongs and bring balance back to the landscape. This podcast details the last 30 years of prescribed fire in La Mauricie National Park and the lessons they have learned.Episode highlightMichel Thériault and Elisabeth Caron speak about using prescribed fire to manage the health of forests.ResourcesRestoration in Quebec's Forests: https://www.iawfonline.org/article/7811/ La Mauricie National Park Fire Map Story https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/mauricie/nature/conservation/restauration-restoration/feu-fire/carte-narrative-story-mapSponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes1.32.59 - 1.33.04: “There's a lot more to learn when you fail than when you succeed.” TakeawaysStarting from ground zero (05.28) Michel studied wildlife management and forest ecology. His graduation was a profitable time to work with Parks Canada, as well as the beginning of the prescribed fire program. Slowly but surely (14.19)Michel is appreciative of the support that the province provided on fire prevention and suppression, without it being their mandate to do so. They used fire to replace plantations with natural forests. The good old days (25.40)Michel says that in the 1950s, logging companies managed much of the land, and fishing and hunting clubs thrived. Today, the pre-industrial forest is used as a baseline to guide the prescribed fire program. Managing land the right way (32.24) Michel highlights the values at risk to be factored in while planning a fire regime - climate change, new insects and diseases of the trees. He notes that we “have to be cautious of doing our best with the knowledge we have” and learn from First Nations land custodians.Adaptive land management (39.04)Michel explains that after the prescribed fire regime, treatment, pruning, and active planting take place. With practice, research, lessons from the USA, cooperation from multiple stakeholders, and learning from mistakes, the program is now starting to show progress. Challenges and opportunities (48.11)Michel points out that it is a tough balance between effective but intensive fires and controllable but weak fires. He plans his work according to the seasons, factoring in humidity, wind, climate and species responsiveness.Developing connections for knowledge (1.03.47)There are prescribed fire projects being developed in collaboration with local First Nations, based on the location and proximity, Michel says. He would like to see Parks Canada promote this knowledge sharing to inform future fire management plans. Let's talk about fire (1.15.18)Elisabeth joined the prescribed fire program in 2016 and found that some people agreed with their work and some were opposed to it. She believes talking about the natural role of fire will help people feel engaged with the program. “Be adaptive, be ready to fail and try something else” (1.27.05)Michel says that understanding the fire regime, the landscape, and its fire history is important. He warns against impatience with results and the fear of failure in working with prescribed fire. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

On this podcast we often talk about managing the forest for ALL values, equally, in a way that benefits all interests. Community forests may hold some answers. How do engage the public in a meaningful way? How do we embody cultural, recreational, and environmental values in forest management? How do we do collaboration right? The good folks of Wells Gray Community Forest might have some answers.Community Forests with George BrckoEpisode highlightGeorge Brcko speaks about the role of community forests in paving the way to a sustainable future.ResourcesWells Gray Community Forest:http://wgcfc.ca/wp/ Use of LIDAR for Forest Inventory and Forest Management Application: https://www.nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/gtr/gtr_wo077/gtr_wo077_193.pdf SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes30.18 - 30.26: “Bring the people back into the forest. They think that they're separated from it and industry is the one that controls it. Well, that's not the case.”Takeaways“Forestry is an incredibly complex career” (04.44)George's passion for forestry began in his childhood growing up on an Ontario farm. The slower and more connected community forest world helped him discover forestry's spiritual ties to the natural world. The intersection of science and spirituality (09.42)George explains that community forests are small tenures held by communities, including indigenous communities across BC. The profits from forestry go back into studying the community's forests. By the people, of the people, for the people (17.25)George's community forest in Clearwater is one of 63 in BC. Collaboration with the First Nations community is essential in the management and profitability of community forests. Bringing communities back into forestry (32.13)George shares that the industry does purchase many resources from the activities of the community forests, and this generates revenue for communities to invest in their people. The educational role of community forests (37.01)Each community decides how they will manage their local forests based on their unique values and priorities, and are liable for the consequences. More than half have 50% indigenous ownership. Playing with fire (40.25)Fire management, says George, is a big concern for community forests and they put their effort into fuel management, burning techniques and retrieving burn areas. We do need some education (45.00)The outreach work done by the community forests includes public meetings, education sessions for citizens and children and awareness campaigns. The Good Forest (47.44)George is driven by the work he does because he has seen the worldwide good that surplus profits from community forestry can do. Let's do better, let's go again (54.41)George acknowledges the debates around clear-cutting and how he incorporates those in the work that he does. He has creates a public interface group to create awareness, educate and bridge gaps. First Nations leading the way (1.14.33)First Nations community forests use the 7-generational model to study the impacts on the next 7 generations. He hopes more community forests will come up and work together towards a more sustainable way of living and doing business. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

What does reconciliation have to do with forestry? “It has everything to do with it.” - Garry Merkel. If we want to be stewards of the land we need to be able, and willing, to support those whose livelihoods and culture are dependent on it. In this episode, Garry opens his heart to us so that we may better understand our role as stewards and as people. His honesty and openness make him a true role model.Episode highlightGarry Merkel is a member of Tahltan First Nation and a Registered Professional Forester. He has spent his career helping to build First Nations governance. Here, he speaks about the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada, reconciliation with them, and learning how to care for the earth from them.ResourcesDeclaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/indigenous-people/new-relationship/united-nations-declaration-on-the-rights-of-indigenous-peoples SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes20.07 - 20.22: “Spirituality means how do you take comfort and make sense out of the fact that you are infinitely small in a place you know nothing about and nothing about that is ever going to change.” 20.28 - 20.38: “We have such a deeply rooted fear of loneliness as a species, we're the most gregarious thing we know of that has ever, ever existed.”36.15 - 36.21: “The predator-prey relationship is one of the crucial parts that keeps the landscape in balance.”45.47 - 45.54: “There's always a segment of society that are just wilfully ignorant… that's just the way it is.” 46.23 - 46.33: “The thing about racism and sexism and all those isms is every one of those comes from a very deeply rooted insecurity.” 56.36 - 56.38: “Nothing is good or bad in nature, nature just is what nature is.”58.07 - 58.15: “Reconciliation is a very human process of us all understanding that we are all human and bringing things back to balance.” TakeawaysHow culture has been shaped (04.47)Garry identifies as indigenous and points out that until recently, the indigenous community was marginalized and did not have a voice in Canada. He speaks about the indigenous community being a Fourth World Country - a Third World Country living in a First World Country. What inspired him to be involved in reconciliation work was the richness of culture that Canadians were missing out on by not participating in reconciliation with the indigenous. How the relationship deteriorated (07.00)Garry laments that people are not inspired to be involved in reconciliation because they don't all know what it implies. He recounts that settlers first came to Canada for commerce, and their relationship with the indigenous was synergistic. The entire Metis Nation, a blended society, was formed. However, when Canada began to become a confederation, settlers began to view the indigenous as unfit for the new society. The roots of systemic racism (09.60)Garry highlights that the way of viewing indigenous peoples as less than settlers is the paradigm Canada was built on, and it is reflected in the treaties, laws, policies, and interactions with the indigenous since the beginning. Reconciliation is about righting those wrongs in every dimension of society by first understanding how systemic racism manifests in our interactions and eliminating it to bring about a more equal human relationship.The indigenous were here long before the settlers called this their home (13.45)Garry explains that indigenous peoples didn't have the right to vote till recently. They were not allowed to leave the reserve without a permit. Indigenous populations still don't own their reserves, since it is considered crown land. Sexism, along with racism, is also rampant in the treatment of the indigenous - an Indian woman loses her status if she marries a non-status person, but a non-status woman gains status if she marries a status Indian man. Spirituality is a way to make sense of life (19.37)Garry rates cultures based on how they derive comfort from spirituality. On one end of the spirituality, spectrum are control-based cultures that view humans as above nature and think of God as human-like. On the other end is a surrender-based approach of awe-inspired observation. Indigenous cultures are earth-based and define spirituality as their rooted relationship to land and nature, learning about human animals by observing non-human ones. To think of anything as unnatural is a mistake (29.24)Garry believes that people call things unnatural for 2 reasons - they feel superior and separate from nature therefore their actions to nature become unnatural, and because they don't trust themselves to care for the planet so they don't pay attention to their ecological footprint. The crux is in learning how to live with the land and its other inhabitants well. He shares anecdotes of working with indigenous communities and relearning their ethical relationship with the land. Truth is a slippery slope (43.26)Garry emphasizes the importance of learning about indigenous populations and about one's own insecurities since all bias come from “building your strengths by trying to create weaknesses in others”. It takes pain, time, and effort to question one's misbeliefs, dismantle one's old character and learn to live with humaneness. He aspires to help everyone he comes across take off their blindfolds and build a broader, deeper, higher understanding of people.Reconciliation is largely a human process (57.39)Garry quotes Justice Murray Sinclair to explain that reconciliation does not work if one side believes it's some kind of recognition of rights and the other side believes it's a benevolent act. The path is to reconciliation is to introspect and face what people close to you may have done and find a way to equality and harmony. There are legal, technical, and political aspects to reconciliation, but a huge part of the journey is the human element of it. Face your demons (1.01.04)Land management evolves by people facing their own mistakes, recognizing the need for change, and coming up with new constructs to implement - on repeat! Garry advocates learning from indigenous people's understanding of relationships to the land instead of defaulting to mass denial of problems. Through a philosophical evolution and societal paradigm shift to collaborative indigenous land management, we can relearn how to care for the land. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.

If you could decide how our forests will be managed, what would you do? Would you make drastic changes? Who, or what would be informing those changes? Would it be politics? Science? Culture? History? Or maybe a combination of these things. Today, we are going to dig into one of these aspects. Our history, specifically the history of forest regeneration. This will provide some much-needed context for what should come next.Episode highlightMilo Mihajlovich speaks about the problems in forestry and their solutions - past, present and future.ResourcesThe Lance and the Shield: The Life and Times of Sitting Bull: https://www.amazon.ca/Lance-Shield-Life-Times-Sitting/dp/0805012745 Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life: https://www.amazon.ca/Crazy-Horse-Mr-Kingsley-Bray/dp/0806139862/ref=asc_df_0806139862/?tag=googleshopc0c-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459574977763&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1179328204433988437&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001251&hvtargid=pla-489096027991&psc=1 SponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes25.19 - 25.38: “We have done better and better at reforestation. At the same time, we have tended to do a much less robust job of examining our assumptions and adjusting our assumptions to reflect learning.”TakeawaysThe way we were (06.43)Milo shares that the structure of the bison on the great plains was not primarily a commercial enterprise, but a United States military plan to defeat the indigenous by destroying their cavalry. He also clarifies that regeneration standards in Alberta had not come into place in the 1990s, but much earlier, and explains the new paradigm of forest management that was emerging which involved reforesting and sustainable management. Milo's journey (17.06)Milo worked with his father on the diameter limit - not cutting trees below a certain diameter. His uncle, who was a forest ranger, inspired him to enter the professional stream instead of the technical one. He discusses the models and agreements in place in the 1960s which led to better forest inventory. However, he laments not considering anthropology at the time or the importance of low-intensity fires. The changing faces of the forest (28.41)Milo's most important work following his early years was to protect the forest from low-intensity fires. He also worked in silviculture and land reclamation. He breaks down the use of sequential surveys in regeneration. He worked in chemical herbicides when the regeneration standards were being redefined to include a performance requirement of the forest. He returned to forestry because he wanted to improve the forestry practices in Alberta.Ground truth with statistical rigour (52.46)Milo's solution to some conflicting requirements of the performance standard was to discuss it with policy personnel. It was difficult to balance the free-growing conifers with maintaining wildlife habitats. The current regeneration standard in Alberta is now different and compares the present state to the assumptions made in the written forest management plan. However, the new challenge is that stakeholders want ecosystem services to be considered as well.Risks of regeneration approaches (1.03.17)Milo warns that some approaches to regeneration are risky because we don't understand “the dynamics of how forests achieve the volumes that we harvest, especially mixed woods”. He expounds on the challenges of using tools in the management of mixed woods. Apart from that, there are also the myriad other footprints humans have on the landscape. However, now, it is possible to assess outcomes using computerized image collection and data manipulation. True consultation and engagement (1.08.41)Milo believes that consultation and engagement should not just be asking stakeholders what they want and including it in the plan, but to have them be a part of the planning and execution processes as well. When stakeholders see plan optimizations, there is a recognition of the “shifting mosaic of plant communities” and the associated ecosystem services. Stepping away from deterministic succession allows a discussion of plant community assembly. Assembly theory (1.13.47)Milo delineates the assembly theory as the assessment of the disturbance on a site and its impact on the plant community. He uses the examples of drought and caterpillars to explain how natural phenomena can cause disturbances. He used the assembly theory to build a habitat supply model, which can also become a platform for collaboration for the energy and forest industry, and their stakeholders. Thinking things together (1.19.29)Milo organized a workshop in partnership with the business facilitators at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT). 30 people were invited but the government was excluded. They presented the habitat supply model and had the attendees break out into focus groups with one representative from each industry to offer solutions. Milo believes that a triad approach would be the solution, even though there may be challenges on this path too. The rocky road (1.28.50)Milo lists the skepticism and criticism he has had to encounter, but is heartened that the conflict of opinions pushes everyone towards progress. He also looks back on the mistakes made in forest management - denying the value of fire, and assuming that forests were untouched by indigenous populations. In working with the indigenous, he has learned about their political structures and the “well-deserved resentment” they hold towards settlers. Learning and personal growth (1.39.22)Milo is of the opinion that to gain the trust of indigenous people, someone who has the knowledge of geography and psychology will have to be the neutral mediating third party. Energy companies support this approach but forestry companies don't. He encourages the next generation of foresters to engage with reconciliation and make change the center of their approach. He says that when people feel empowered, they will continue to do this difficult work If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.