More from Bob's chapter in "Wilderness Comes Home".
After lamenting the lack of interest and knowledge about old growth in the
forestry profession, who are focused on "working forests"- Bob says:
If foresters cannot teach us about old growth, who can? We must turn to those
who have no vested economic interests, the naturalists and scientists who
embrace the thinking of such visionaries as Henry David Thoreau, John Muir,
Aldo Leopold, and David Brower. These naturalists and scientists recognize
old-growth forest remnants as a window to a vast wilderness past. Even in their
current diminutive status, the old-growth remnants make important ecological
contributions. At the least, we know that our old-growth forest remnants add
to to biological diversity, function as genetic reserves and refugia for at
least a few species, and serve as baselines for the evaluation of climatic and
environmental change".
At this time, the state of Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation is
developing a "vision process". It has so far set up a committee of "technical
experts" and it will soon set up another committee of "stakeholders" (perhaps
that should be steak holders?).
According to the state:
"Through an open, interactive dialogue with experts, stakeholders and the
general public, develop a renewed vision for stewardship and management of DCR
forest lands."
What they fail to understand is the meaning of "vision". For a vision, you need
visionaries- but they fail to involve any visionaries, the sort of people Bob
mentions in that quote of his! Instead, it's all about "steak holders" and
tech. experts (vested interests)- hoping that putting them all in a room, to be
guided by a flock of DCR honchos and lawyers- that this amalgam of non
visionaries will produce a vision!
Of course I'm not supposed to be commenting on THE VISION THING because I'm now
on the tech. steering committee! Already, some people have been whining to the
state that I dare discuss the vision thing with some element of cynicism ONLINE
where they can't control it. It is verboten! Apparently visionaries must learn
to participate as good sheep- not the sort of behavior typical of Thoreau,
Muir, Leopold and Brower.
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Zorzin
To: ENTS
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:39 AM
Subject: [ENTS] "Wilderness Comes Home - Rewilding the Northeast"
"Wilderness Comes Home - Rewilding the Northeast", edited by Christopher
McGrory Klyza and with a chapter by Bob Leverett!
This book is about a decade old- and somehow I never saw it until recently
though I've read bits and pieces of writings by Bob.
Chapter 3 is written by Bob, "Old-Growth Forests of the Northeast".
I'm sure many/most of you are familiar with the book but if not, I strongly
recommend it.
Bob's chapter is incredibly good! When I read a book- I have my red pen with
me and I underline the good stuff and add check marks for very good stuff and
stars for super good stuff. This chapter almost wore out my pen!
When I get time I'm going to pass along some quotes from the chapter- for now
I'll offer one, perhaps the best:
"No reservoir of indigenous wisdom about the Northeast forests flows from
European Americans, and that which existed in Native American culture has been
irretrievably lost."
That's a gem!
*****
Joe
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