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Use of public land against the public’s wishes

The provincial government will be deciding in January or February 2012 whether to go ahead with the previous government’s plan for public forest use and conservation.  The plan that was on the table would decrease the amount of forest that is managed specifically to conserve deer wintering habitat, old forests and stream bank buffer zones.

Based upon what we have learned from DNR, this could mean a reduction of as much as 25% (one quarter) of some of these habitats.  At the same time, the amount of plantations on public land would be more than doubled to 28% of Crown forest.

The Hon. Bruce Northrup, Minister of Natural Resources, announced he will re-examine the previous plan, and will announce a new forest plan In February.

New Brunswickers have Rejected this Before

The majority of the public told the Select Committee on Wood Supply in 2004 that they do not want fish and wildlife habitat to be sacrificed to increase wood supply.  The Select Committee rejected industry’s request to put a cap on conservation zones, and instead recommended that the amount of clear-cutting be reduced.

A 2007 survey of the New Brunswick public showed that the overwhelming majority of people surveyed place highest priority on the forest’s protection of fresh water, air and wildlife habitat (Public views on forest management in New Brunswick: Report from a provincial survey).

Both the Select Committee hearings and the survey of New Brunswickers showed that our citizens expect government to stand up for what the people want, and to work with the natural forest we have.

The public also expressed they want more say in how forests are managed.  Government has still not implemented any real public consultation strategy to involve the public in the public’s forest.

Will The Government Listen This Time?  We Think Yes.

We believe there is a real opening for New Brunswickers to speak up on behalf of our forests once again.  This is a new government, and the Minister said he wants to hear more from conservationists and First Nations.

Please write a letter that tells government what is important to you about our forest, and what you expect government to do.

Send your letter to: Bruce Northrup, Minister of Natural Resources (bruce.northrup@gnb.ca), P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1, and a copy to your MLA.  We can provide a list of MLAs if you are not sure.

Make a short version of your letter and send it as a letter to the editor to your local newspaper, or one of the daily newspapers.

More detailed information can be found on the following web sites: www.acadianforest.ca; www.cpawsnb.org.

Prepared by Crown Lands Network Steering Committee (CCNB Action, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NB Chapter, Meduxnekeag River Society, Nature NB, Public for the Protection of the Forests of NB)

Beau Bear and the Acadian Forest

Beau Bear fell asleep in the beautiful and diverse Acadian forest, but later awoke to find his home clearcut. Stop the clearcut nightmare. Don’t let this be the fate for our wildlife. New Brunswick’s 50 year public forest plan, due at the end of 2011, will determine the fate of our wildlife. Tell the government of New Brunswick to protect our wildlife habitat.

News

Film screening of Community Forests

Monday, Feb. 13th at 7:00pm

Rural Community of Upper Miramichi Office, 6094 Route 8 (Boiestown)

There’s a change in B.C.’s forests, and forest communities — a change that’s good for the forests, good for the people who live and work there, and good for the buyers and users of wood.

The change is the establishment of community forests, a new form of forest tenure in B.C. The forests are managed by local communities, and the benefits stay in the communities.

The film will introduce to the concept of community forest and six very different community forests. The six mini-profiles show the ways in which local economies are being diversified, how forests are being managed for all resources, not just timber, and above all, how these communities have become better places to live.

The film will be followed by discussion with refreshments.

A film by the B.C. Community Forest Association

Upper Miramichi Community Forest Website

Spread the word about the film screening on Facebook

Upper Miramichi Community Forest Facebook Page

NBers rally for the forest on May 10th

New Brunswick’s 50 year public forest plan will determine the fate of our wildlife. On May 10th, 2011, NBers rallied to protect wildlife habitat and stop clearcutting in front of the N.B. Legislature in Fredericton.

Featuring: *Fredericton Raging Grannies * David Coon, CCNB Action * Andre Arpin from the Restigouche *Roberta Clowater, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society * Martin Paul, Maliseet Nation Conservation Council * Pascale Ouellette, Youth Environmental Action Network * Charlene Mayes, a biologist * Bruce Northrup, Minister of Natural Resources * Natalie Gerum, a concerned citizen.