June 29, 1993:...The current study site uses three trees and I may incorporate one more, as it is close and bushier in the crown than the ones used now. Ropes are strung between the trees to act as bridges. Three-quarter inch polypropylene rope was used, which has the disadvantage of degrading quickly (it will be no good next year) but the advantage of being cheap. Ropes were placed climbing one tree, tying the rope to it, then swinging across to the next tree and tying to it. What fun! Too much damage was caused in the way of broken branches, but I could see no way around it. Very few green branches were removed, so effects on the trees should be minimal. Moving about in the trees this way is quite easy, and considerable sampling can be done in this fashion. Using climbing rope, a belayer and wrapping sling around trees to clip in with carabiners, renders this method quite safe.
Adrian Bogan.

July 3, 1993: Native people have myths and legends that foretold the coming of the Europeans, that their lifestyles and cultures were going to be altered and faced with total destruction. The only thing that would ensure the survival of the Indian people would be for them to return to their roots, but whether this meant physically, spiritually or both is unknown.

The point of all this is that change is a natural process; but only man has the power and will to change not only himself but his environment as well. So the onus is on ourselves - if we wish to survive in our present civilization long enough to read more golden heights - to ensure that the present system does change its way of thinking and operating. All life is intimately connected in ways that few people know, and by destroying more and more species, we are dooming ourselves to a new way of life that ignores the immense spiritual world for nature in its present form. Living death? Perhaps the most frightening aspect is that we will survive. Without pure water, clean air, forests, blue sky and those living things that require them too, some of us could not live. We ignore the spiritual side of nature at our own peril. Thankfully, change is possible but let's hope it's not too late.
Robert Lindsay

July 11, 1993:...Loneliness was setting in on the survey work; unknown sounds and chills swept through the mighty cove. As I approached the new plot, I chose a truly glorious spruce to lean up against. As I set my notepad down, the story of the stand truly came to life.

Now mostly dominated by paper birch, this was obviously an old growth spruce stand 60 - 100 years ago. My lone sentry seems to be the only one left from that crowd. His colleagues now provide the nourishment for the birch and fallen spruce. At first it seemed a lonely way to end such a glorious life. But as I watched this spruce's head bobbing in the breeze, I realized he wasn't alone at all. Above the birch and poplars, like old men telling yarn while shifting on their heels, other spruce made the stand come to life. Character suddenly emerged from these mighty plants.

As I walked away, only able to see a community of shoulders and heads, I had the feeling that I had sat in on a discussion. Maybe the next step will be to learn what they are saying.
Chris Fisher

July 27, 1993: The rule of this glorious place, one only needs to keep one's eyes open to be surprised. And even learn something.