Sunday. November 4, 1990 ~ North Snere News - 7 Hunter doesn’t help ecology DRAPERIES BY S. LAURSEN CUSVYOM DRAPERIES AND VALANCES Labour $7.50 per panel untined, $8.50 lined CUSTOM BEDSPREADS ANO COVERS Dear Editor: There are two phases to conservation: the political phase and the implementation phase. The former creates an awareness amongst the public and politi- cians of the need for conservation and the impor- tance of environmental issues. This creates the pos- sibitity for the changes in legislation, policy and reg- ulations that are necessary to solve conservation and enviconmental problems. The latter develops the policies and regulations by which desirable chanze is achieved, and the legislations to implement them, Environmentalists have made a taajor and very necessary contribution to the politicul phase, an endeavor in which academics, scientists and resource managers have gencrally been much less successful. But there is growing concern that unless the level of the debate is changed to a more scientifically sound and socially realistic basis, some sectors of the en- vironmental movement may inhibit rather iiian con- tribute to conservation in the implementation phase. Bob Hunter's Aug. 1 coiumn does little to con- tribute to the actual achievement of conservation. Phrases like ‘tecological madness’? und ‘ecological sanity’? have no scientific meaning and cannot pro- vide a basis for conservation policy. Ecology is a science. It describes and explains how ecosystems work, how they change over time in the absence of disturbance, and how they respond to disturbance. It provides absolutely no basis for value judgments. A spotted owl in an old growth forest is ne beter and no worse than a sparrow in a clearcut. A sword fern in the shade of a mature second growth forest is no better and no worse than a fireweed in a freshly slashturned area, or a yarrow in a farmer's field. They just ‘tare."" Evolution has produced plants and animals for all conditions of the ecosystem, and there are many species that need access to recently disturbed forest ecosystems or the early stages of ecosystem recovery from disturbance if they are to survive, just as there are some species that have an absolute requirement for the mature stages of forest ecosystem develop- ment, ft is individuals in society who establish relative values for sparrows and spotted owls, ferns and fireweed, not the science of ecology. The majority of the forested landscapes of British Columbia belong to the people. The way they have been, and presently are, managed is a reflection of what we, the people, have asked for in the type of government we elect to represent us. Forest management in British Columbia is determined by government policy which in turn is determined by us. We have every right to decide how we want our forests to be managed. but for a democracy to work, voters must make informed choices. J.P. Kimmins Professor of Forest Ecology University of British Columbia Toadying charge ‘irresponsible’ Dear Editor: Bob Hunter’s intemperate charge (Aug. 1) that UBC’s Facul- ty of Forestry is ‘‘toadying’’ to our forest industry is insulting and irresponsible. For years, many of us have been criticizing the forest industry for its meagre contribution to ac- ademic research. It has been im- proving a little, but it is still meagre. In the Faculty of Forest- ry’s Department of Forest Sciences, 16 of our faculty members administer research grants totalling some $2 million, awarded to them by a wide variety of national and provincial research agencies, government departments, private associations and industrial organizations. Less than 15 per cent comes from in- dustry sources. Allegations about undue in- dustry influence on research are quite unjustified. The modest amourt of industry research fund- ing is contributed jointly with the National Science and Engineering Research Council, so that any research plans are refereed by ac- 1-800-663-4997. yt * No diets * No specialty foods Effective Short Term Counselling NOTICE TO MOT SQUAMISH HIGHWAY TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES The Ministry of Transportation and Highways announces that the following temporary road closures will be in effect seven days a week on the Squamish Highway until further notice: 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon - 3:00 P.M. For further information contact Ministry of Transpertation & Highways, 660-9975 in Greater Vancouver or Toll Free to 1:00 P.M. Sete m come mmee amen ncsectosenereassnteeesceves all TIRED OF DIETING? OR EATING PREPARED FOOD? j By combining new methods for weight loss with HYPNOSIS we focus on you, noi on old-iashioned methods that can let you down. MAKE TOMORROW BETTER. CALL TODAY Rutley e& Payette Glinicat Hypnotnerapy 986-9304 FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION ademic peers across Canada. Moreover, (as one of us is Head of the Department of Forest Sciences), we can assure you that all research proposals are reviewed by university administrators and none have shown any evidence of being influenced by the forest in- dustry. Mr. Hunter’s tirade against the forest industry, the government and the university is confused, and rather difficult to respond to. But it is silly to bleme academics for what he disapproves of in forest policy and logging practices —— does he blame his doctor when he feels sick? Moreover, he should know that some of the strongest criticisms of government and in- dustry have come from members of our faculty. Our fundamental responsibility lies in forest education and objec- tive research, so that we can im- prove understanding about forests and how they can be best manag- ed in the pubic interest. In forest science we are proba- bly Canada’s leading centre for research and education. We aspire ORISTS Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways Honoutadie Rita MP Johaston, Minster e Permanent * Comiortabie to being the world leader, and we think British Columbia, with its extraordinary rich forest resources, deserves such excellence in this field. We certainly agree with Bob Hunter that better research and education about our forests is needed. But we are looking for support, not misinformed insults. Low, low prices on biinds and tracks For FREE Estimates Call 987-2966 ARDAGH HUNTER TURNER | Barristers & Solicitors Personal Injury FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION 986-4366 986.9286 #300-1401 LONSDALE NORTH VANCOUVER, BC. AFTER HOURS 645-8989 gi Divorce B Maintenance @ Custody @ Separation Serving the North Shore for 19 years FAX @ A. John Lakes gw James L. Straith g@ William J. Rodgers LAWYERS 202-1217 Lonsdale North Vancouver Agreements Peter Pearse — ss Professor of Forest Management : Dennis P. Lavender Head, Department of Forest Sciences University of British Columbia wa | qin Kenneth J. Baxter = sw Lawyer Daphne Mciean FOR COUNCIL North Vancouver District 310-165 Chadwick Court, North Vancouver (Gust south of the market — next to the Seabus) Lonsdale Quay Plaza PRESERVE WHAT WE ALL CHERISH The Quality of Life in our Community of NV. District There are some major issues in this November 47th Municipal Election in the District of Nerth Vancouver which we must address if we are io maintain a vidrant and livable communily. In this and subsequent issues of the North Shore News, | will address some of the most important. ERNIE CRIST twill begin with our community plan. A community plan must not only spell out what we are but also what kind of community we want to be and now fa achieve this. If must recognise the issues squarely such as what is our function within the region? Should our mountains be covered with concreie mansions or even developed similarly fo Vancouver's West End or should thev be preserved for regicnal recreation? What is the quality which attracted us to the North Shore and how can we maintain it in a fost changing world? How can we create a true community feeling for ail citizens, young and oid, rich and those less fortunate? To address these questions the olan must deai with community development, population densities, transportation, balanced housing, fair taxation, opportunities for our youth, protection of the environment, child care facilities, recreation, playing fields, the arts, community grants, employment and industrial land use policies as well as civic democracy — ail too frequently violated. So far our community plan has cost the taxpayers millions of dollars. Yet, at this moment, it !s seriously flawed. District Council has simply failed to provide the necessary leadership in some key areas — issues such as monster houses and rapid transit planning are simply not covered or lack the focus they deserve. Attempts on my part to deal with them were frequently ignored. And yet, these issues must be addressed if we are fo preserve what we ail cherish. That is what this election should be alt about. Issues such as pollution have global implications. If we do no! solve them in our own Community we cannot expect them to be sclved elsewhere. We must lead and face the future with confidence or be ariven into a@ quagmire and suffer. The choice is ours. task you not only to re-eiect me for another term as alderman but, also to vote tor a truly community oriented council. Vole for experience — vote for dedication — vote for achievement ~ vote for the future.