February 22, 1996
(Natural Resources)
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
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