The working forest... is not working out
Newly built company sign in clearcut near Carmanah reads: "The Working Forest Welcomes You" Photo taken September 1989.
Trying to improve the image of clearcut logging, the forest industry has coined the term, "the working forest", to describe the even-aged industrial forest that grows up after an ancient forest is cut down. The forest industry has embarked on an aggressive advertising campaign to convince the public that ancient forests should be logged and converted to what they term "productive working forests".
Camper Creek Valley, just south of Carmanah Valley, adjacent to Pacific Rim National Park, was clearcut logged. Thousand year old trees will never grow here again. Photo taken 1989.
Environmentalists assert that if the industry took better care of its "working forest", it wouldn't have to cut so much ancient forest. They point out that after over 100 years of logging, the industry still relies almost exclusively on the dwindling ancient forests. Future generations will need to learn from the remaining ancient forests the knowledge necessary to heal the already-ailing company forests.
While the ancient forest remains healthy and vibrant, the problems in the company tree plantations are becoming more and more obvious.
Clear-cut logging in drainage adjacent to Carmanah increases and soil errosion. Photo taken 1989.
Environmentalists point to steep hillsides where mudslides caused by clearcut logging have slipped away the soil down to bedrock. On many hillsides the wrong type of trees have been planted and they are now twisted ad deformed. Slash burning has degraded the soil in too many places, creating more stunted growth. Swaths of genetically-similar, nursery-grown trees have become a target for disease, causing industry to respond with a barrage of pesticides. Meanwhile, herbicides are used to destroy the deciduous trees that naturally grow to heal the land.
Scientist holds cross-section of a 300+ year old hemlock tree cut down near Carmanah.
Across B.C. many wildlife species decline in number as logging replaces the ancient forest with the "working forest".
The "working forest" is not working out. From small towns to big cities, people are calling for industry to take better care of the land it logs, to adopt selective logging practices and to spare ancient forests such as Carmanah as a reservoir of knowledge and inspiration for future generations.
