Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Ltd
Host contact: Mrosek, Thorsten
Non-timber values in Haliburton Forest
The paper explores the connection between concepts of bioregionalism and ecologically responsible forest use to provide the theoretical and philosophical context for a discussion of how these ideas play out in reality in Haliburton County in general, and at the Haliburton Forest and Wildlife Reserve in particular. As a preface, a brief historical overview of the changing forest and forest practices in Haliburton County is provided. From information obtained through personal interviews, the author looks at the nature of wholistic forest use currently practiced at the Wildlife Reserve and the way in which this system of forest use impacts on community and place in the County. The potential for Haliburton Forest as a model of wholistic forest use is considered along with the issues involved in transferring that model.
The complex issues surrounding forest use in British Columbia are the focus of this paper. The role of governments and industry over the years is outlined, followed by a look at the rise of community-based initiatives which present an alternative, more environmental perspective. The union of ecology and economy which these community groups propose has much in common with bioregionalism and the paper presents an analysis of these initiatives in that context. The issues of stewardship and "living-in-place" in the management of natural resources are discussed. Recognizing that there is no simple solution, the paper concludes with suggestions for a cooperative approach to forest management in B.C.