New direction in Forest Ecosystem Management Carries on for Bonavista North District

Dr. Rex Gibbons, Minister of Natural Resources, is pleased to announce the beginning of the ecosystem management planning process for Bonavista North Forest District (District #5). The Newfoundland Forest service has already started the process in District #1, the Avalon.

Public interest groups, environmental organizations, resource managers and users of the local forest are invited to participate in developing the goals, objectives and strategies for the forest ecosystem plan and five year forestry operating plan. Interested and knowledgeable individuals are encouraged in particular to identify non-timber values, such as recreation, wildlife, water quality and aesthetic concerns. The challenge will be to find a balance between timber and non-timber values. Like the Avalon process, the Bonavista North planning effort will be developed under the guidance of a professional facilitator.

This project represents the forest service's continued effort to ensure ongoing public involvement in the effort to define how to maintain sustainable ecosystems that balance recreational, cultural, spiritual and economic needs with ecological integrity. The effort to bring this initiative across the province is encouraging, said Dr. Gibbons. The District Forester, Ed Stewart, indicated that the facilitator will be selected in the near future, and the process will begin for Bonavista North.

Contact: Len Moores, Corner Brook, (709) 637-2344; or Anna Buffinga, St. John's, (709) 729-3750