Lakehead University Forestry Association - Yearbook (Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada)

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The Forestry Scene - 1972 Professional forestry education came of age in our University on April 25, 1971 It was announced in the legislative assembly, on that date, that the provincial cabinet had approved the University ' s request that it be authorized to grant the degree of Bachelor of the Science of Forestry. The academic year 1971-72 proved to be one of considerable stress for all members of the faculty in the University, and particularly for our developing School. The recruitment of five, full-time teaching staff members to meet the needs created by the offering for the first time of the third year of the Degree program, and to fill the openings which resulted from the resignation of Professc- Khalil during the early summer, and from the untimely death of our Chairman, John Haggerty, in August, was a task of particular urgency. During the first term and continuing into the second term, several members of the staff were obliged to commit a significant portion of their time to the work of a number of University committees. These committees were in part, preoccupied with the financial crisis which became apparent to us, in October, with the study of University governmental organizations, and with the continuing tasks of guiding the academic activities of the University through committees of the Senate. Within the School, we undertook a thorough review Of both the Degree and Technology programs. This proved to be a lengthy and most challenging task, but one which has led to a significant strengthening of these programs. They are intended to enhance opportunities of professional foresters and forest technologists in the Boreal Forest region of Canada, by providing a general forestry education upon which our graduates may develop knowledge and skills in their chosen fields. Commencing in September, 1972, we shall offer, for the first time, the fourth and final year of the Degree program. To that end, we have been authorized to proceed with the recruitment of two additional, full-time teaching staff members and of one laboratory assistant. This will only partially alleviate the decidedly heavy teaching loads which will be carried by the staff during the 1972-73 transition year of the Degree program. Course loads will be somewhat heavier than normal for students in some years of the program, also, but special efforts will be made to restrict these to tolerable levels. The financial controls which are being imposed upon universities by our provincial government are necessitating a careful scrutiny of all programs. It is now apparent that only under special circumstances will they be offered if they do not attract adequate numbers of students. Our Timber Harvesting Technology certificate program, unfortunately, has been in this category, and will not be offered in September for less than 10 students. K.W. HEARDEN These problems, and those related to the employment of foresters and forest technologists, are inherent in the lack of any clearly defined statement of provincial forest policy. In considering the issue of forest policy in Ontario, in the light of actual experience across the past few years, one is inclined to speculate that the policy is in reality one of expedience, perhaps best expressed as, you liquiJate, we regenerate, where possible, an d to the extent that funds may be provided. Indeed, in the past several years, there has occurred a shrinkage in financial support for silviculture, and this has imposed stresses and difficulties at all levels. In spite of the current strength of popular concern with the environment, pollution, and the management of our natural resources, opportunities for permanent employment in these fields have not developed satisfactorily. In forestry, provincial government complements for foresters have been fixed since 1962, and prospects for a change in this situation are not at all encouraging. Similarly, in the field of fish and wildlife management, no increases in the complement of Conservation Officers have been authorized for some time, although only 110 officers are available currently for field duties across the province. An adverse trend in professional and technical employment in the forest industries for professional and technical forestry people has been influenced by economic conditions during the past year or more. It does not appear that this trend will be changed in 1972. Against these negative trends in employment in forest resources management must be considered the interesting anomoly of the significant, increases in public expenditures on Silviculture which were noted some six years ago. Observation of the regeneration program, which absorbs most of this outlay, suggests that it ha. , been, in large measure, simply a quantitative, mechanized assault on the more obvious, accessible problem areas. The question of the quality of the work done thus far is disturbing many people in the profession, reflecting, as it does, the problems of adequate, detailed planning and supervision of the projects. Is it net time in Ontario, 104 years after Confederation, and after more than 60 y.-ars of the presence and influence of professional forestry in the province that there should be on the public record a clear, comprehensive, unequivocal statement of forest policy? The existence of such a statement would be a stronger basis of support for the needs of an effective sustained yield forest management program, surely, than the present policy, if it exists, which seems to be heavily shrouded in ambiguity and highly susceptible to the vagaries of political climates. Under a properly defined and publicly supported policy of sustained yield management of our forest resources, forestry could be assured of stronger and more consistent support in public spending priorities and programs in Ontario. The need for all of us in forestry is to maintain a continuing pressure upon our government and elected representatives for the recognition of sustained yield forestry as a vital necessity for the long term well-being of our country.