The Municipality of North Cowichan doesn’t make its money logging so why cut down the trees? On the front page of the wheredowestand.ca website there is a link to a video called “New Old Growth – Our Mature Naturally Generated Forests Vs. Tree Plantations.” The video is filmed in areas of the Municipal Forest Reserve that are presently planned to be clear-cut. I encourage Municipality of North Cowichan taxpayers to spend seven minutes watching this video. I think it is reasonable to ask yourself, “If we aren’t making any significant money logging these aging forests, why do we cut down the trees?” …I have become, perhaps, a little simplistic. I now look at much of our MFR and agree with the Fairy Creek tree huggers – Worth More Standing.

There’s a lot to be stressed out about these days. But instead of taking medication for low levels of anxiety, your health care provider may soon prescribe spending more time in nature. On Saturday, at COP15, the Canadian Medical Association officially endorsed a B.C. Parks Foundation initiative called PaRx, a national nature prescription program. It’s the first time a national medical organization in the world has endorsed a nature prescription. Dr. Melissa Lem, a director of PaRx, says the CMA endorsement will normalize the idea within the medical profession that nature is essential for good health. What they will typically recommend is at least two hours a week outside, for at least 20 minutes at a time. That could mean going for a hike in the woods. …She said this is the first of its kind in the world, and aligns with the association’s goal of improving health and increasing environmental stewardship.

The forestry profession is in the midst of a major transition. New markets for high-value timber products and novel bioproducts are being explored. More people, companies, and institutions are calling for greater protection of animal habitats, eco-tourism, and biodiversity. Indigenous and local communities have a more prominent seat at the table. And a greater emphasis is being placed on how to tackle the global climate emergency through sustainable forest management than ever before. Our panel of industry experts will discuss some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Featuring UBC alumni: Moderator: • Linda Coady – President & CEO, BC Council of Forest Industries Guest Panelists • David Brand – CEO, New Forests • Domenico Iannidinardo – Senior VP – Forest & Climate and Chief Forester, Mosaic Forest Management

North Cowichan is reviewing its forest reserve management practices, with the intent to develop options for a future management plan. Help shape the future of the management of the Municipal Forest Reserve (MFR) by participating in opportunities presented through this process. During Round 2 (Fall 2022), you will be asked to consider four potential forest management scenarios and help determine a preferred option. These scenarios were developed by the UBC Partnership Group (UBC, 3GreenTree Consulting) that considered input on values heard during Round 1 in Fall 2021. The scenarios reflect ecological, economic, and social criteria and indicators, and represent a spectrum of timber harvesting and carbon credit revenue options. Take the survey: An online survey is open until December 31, 2022.