I work for a conservation organization that promotes "fire in the forest" protocols through science based learning combined with indigenous understanding. So fascinating! I was even more blown away with the science that demonstrates how beaver activity can provide natural fire break.
The less humans go against Nature, the more we humans and all species will benefit. Beavers are a keystone species. They do important work as ecological and hydrological engineers.
This is EXACTLY what I was going to just post about! How I didn't understand how white people think they know more about fire conservation than the Indigenous Fire Keepers. The Fire Keepers have been doing prescribed burning longer than Canada has been a country. I'm awfully glad to hear that they use indigenous knowledge in your conservation organization!
The forestry industry should be part of the solution in how forests are maintained. It is to some degree now, but there is more it can do. It is this industry that has the greatest benefit in that it uses the trees it cuts down for pulp, lumber and other uses.
Perry, I agree that the forestry industry plays a crucial role in forest management and has the potential to be a significant part of the solution. By adopting sustainable practices, the industry can help maintain healthy forests while also benefiting from the resources they provide. There's definitely more that can be done, and collaboration between the forestry industry, environmental groups, and policymakers can lead to innovative strategies that balance ecological health with economic interests. Your insight highlights the importance of working together to ensure our forests remain resilient and productive for generations to come.
My dad worked as the Head Comptroller in the Woodlands Division of Scott Paper in Nova Scotia. (It used to be Kimberly-Clark, and is now owned by a Japanese firm) and he would tell me all the time of what they were doing in the woodlands plantations Scott owned, about clear cutting, about how they would harvest hardwoods/conifers from the forests and replant only softwoods...just HORRIBLE things that they did. This was in the late '70s and late '80s. When Kimberly-Clark bought Scott Paper, they let most of the staff go and replaced them with their staff, my dad was one of them. He started his own accounting practise, and swiped all their trucking accounts. :) He's now 80 and STILL goes to his office to work as a CPA-CA.
Yes, the pulp & paper companies considered this normal business practices. They would “crow” about replanting, but it was as you stated softwoods. Clear-cutting is a devastating practice.
I grew up in San Bernardino and worked for Cal Fire in that Ranger Unit and in San Diego. The Big Four forests are Federal. The land management and practices aren't State mandated, and there are often wide swathes of disagreement between Feds and State.
I just wanted to point out the difference. It's not State mismanagement, it just all happens to be in CA. Climate change absolutely makes firefighting more difficult. The heat wave now is longer and drier than any in history.
Emmy, thank you for sharing your insights from your experience with Cal Fire. You're absolutely right in pointing out that the "Big Four" forests in California are federally managed, which means that the land management practices are primarily under federal jurisdiction, not state. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the complexities and challenges in forest management, where state and federal policies may not always align.
The federal government, through agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, manages these forests with a focus on multiple-use and sustained yield, balancing resource extraction, recreation, and conservation. However, as you mentioned, there can be significant differences in priorities and approaches between federal and state agencies, leading to disagreements that can complicate effective forest management.
Furthermore, the impact of climate change, with longer and drier heat waves, exacerbates these challenges, making firefighting more difficult and necessitating a collaborative approach between state and federal entities. Your point underscores the importance of coordinated efforts and open communication between all stakeholders to address these pressing issues effectively. Thank you for highlighting this important aspect of forest management in California.
I note that ecological damage is measured in habitat damage and loss of biodiversity. Probably better not to think of the individual agony of the animals burned to death in these fires. I'm curious about the art in these two fire articles: is it human generated? or AI? If human, do you know who?
Jack, it’s true that the ecological damage from wildfires is often measured in terms of habitat loss and biodiversity decline, no doubt because the individual suffering of animals is too heartbreaking and can be impossible to measure. The art is ChatGPT generated.
I know it’s true; it is heart-breaking and mind-boggling. I wonder if more attention to the individual animal costs would create more impetus to action sometimes. It seems to me that was the approach they took with the Smokey Bear campaign. Thanks on the art.
Sustainable forest management is essential not only for fire mitigation but also controlling invasive species with no natural predators in a novel environment and ensuring habitat for threatened species. Forest have evolved to include many species, who each have a role in the ecosystem. On the human side, WE have a responsibility to build fire resistant structures ( metal roofing, sprinkler systems, safe landscaping) if we choose to live on the forest margins.
Melissa, you are absolutely right—sustainable forest management plays a crucial role in not only mitigating fires but also controlling invasive species and preserving habitats for threatened species. Forest ecosystems are incredibly complex, with each species playing a vital role in maintaining balance. On the human side, adopting fire-resistant building practices and safe landscaping is essential for those living near forested areas. By working together and taking responsibility for our impact on these ecosystems, we can help ensure their health and resilience for future generations. Your perspective highlights the importance of both ecological stewardship and proactive planning in creating a sustainable coexistence with our natural surroundings.
I work for a conservation organization that promotes "fire in the forest" protocols through science based learning combined with indigenous understanding. So fascinating! I was even more blown away with the science that demonstrates how beaver activity can provide natural fire break.
Cindy, thank you for adding your valuable insights to this discussion! I share your fascination with the role beavers are meant to play in our environment. Here is an article I wrote on that very topic: https://open.substack.com/pub/animalpolitics/p/animal-politics-reimagining-conservation
The less humans go against Nature, the more we humans and all species will benefit. Beavers are a keystone species. They do important work as ecological and hydrological engineers.
This is EXACTLY what I was going to just post about! How I didn't understand how white people think they know more about fire conservation than the Indigenous Fire Keepers. The Fire Keepers have been doing prescribed burning longer than Canada has been a country. I'm awfully glad to hear that they use indigenous knowledge in your conservation organization!
The forestry industry should be part of the solution in how forests are maintained. It is to some degree now, but there is more it can do. It is this industry that has the greatest benefit in that it uses the trees it cuts down for pulp, lumber and other uses.
Perry, I agree that the forestry industry plays a crucial role in forest management and has the potential to be a significant part of the solution. By adopting sustainable practices, the industry can help maintain healthy forests while also benefiting from the resources they provide. There's definitely more that can be done, and collaboration between the forestry industry, environmental groups, and policymakers can lead to innovative strategies that balance ecological health with economic interests. Your insight highlights the importance of working together to ensure our forests remain resilient and productive for generations to come.
My dad worked as the Head Comptroller in the Woodlands Division of Scott Paper in Nova Scotia. (It used to be Kimberly-Clark, and is now owned by a Japanese firm) and he would tell me all the time of what they were doing in the woodlands plantations Scott owned, about clear cutting, about how they would harvest hardwoods/conifers from the forests and replant only softwoods...just HORRIBLE things that they did. This was in the late '70s and late '80s. When Kimberly-Clark bought Scott Paper, they let most of the staff go and replaced them with their staff, my dad was one of them. He started his own accounting practise, and swiped all their trucking accounts. :) He's now 80 and STILL goes to his office to work as a CPA-CA.
Yes, the pulp & paper companies considered this normal business practices. They would “crow” about replanting, but it was as you stated softwoods. Clear-cutting is a devastating practice.
I grew up in San Bernardino and worked for Cal Fire in that Ranger Unit and in San Diego. The Big Four forests are Federal. The land management and practices aren't State mandated, and there are often wide swathes of disagreement between Feds and State.
I just wanted to point out the difference. It's not State mismanagement, it just all happens to be in CA. Climate change absolutely makes firefighting more difficult. The heat wave now is longer and drier than any in history.
Emmy, thank you for sharing your insights from your experience with Cal Fire. You're absolutely right in pointing out that the "Big Four" forests in California are federally managed, which means that the land management practices are primarily under federal jurisdiction, not state. This distinction is crucial, as it highlights the complexities and challenges in forest management, where state and federal policies may not always align.
The federal government, through agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, manages these forests with a focus on multiple-use and sustained yield, balancing resource extraction, recreation, and conservation. However, as you mentioned, there can be significant differences in priorities and approaches between federal and state agencies, leading to disagreements that can complicate effective forest management.
Furthermore, the impact of climate change, with longer and drier heat waves, exacerbates these challenges, making firefighting more difficult and necessitating a collaborative approach between state and federal entities. Your point underscores the importance of coordinated efforts and open communication between all stakeholders to address these pressing issues effectively. Thank you for highlighting this important aspect of forest management in California.
😢
I note that ecological damage is measured in habitat damage and loss of biodiversity. Probably better not to think of the individual agony of the animals burned to death in these fires. I'm curious about the art in these two fire articles: is it human generated? or AI? If human, do you know who?
Jack, it’s true that the ecological damage from wildfires is often measured in terms of habitat loss and biodiversity decline, no doubt because the individual suffering of animals is too heartbreaking and can be impossible to measure. The art is ChatGPT generated.
I know it’s true; it is heart-breaking and mind-boggling. I wonder if more attention to the individual animal costs would create more impetus to action sometimes. It seems to me that was the approach they took with the Smokey Bear campaign. Thanks on the art.
Sustainable forest management is essential not only for fire mitigation but also controlling invasive species with no natural predators in a novel environment and ensuring habitat for threatened species. Forest have evolved to include many species, who each have a role in the ecosystem. On the human side, WE have a responsibility to build fire resistant structures ( metal roofing, sprinkler systems, safe landscaping) if we choose to live on the forest margins.
Melissa, you are absolutely right—sustainable forest management plays a crucial role in not only mitigating fires but also controlling invasive species and preserving habitats for threatened species. Forest ecosystems are incredibly complex, with each species playing a vital role in maintaining balance. On the human side, adopting fire-resistant building practices and safe landscaping is essential for those living near forested areas. By working together and taking responsibility for our impact on these ecosystems, we can help ensure their health and resilience for future generations. Your perspective highlights the importance of both ecological stewardship and proactive planning in creating a sustainable coexistence with our natural surroundings.