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

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-2- In mid-summer, we were most pleased that the long and valuable contributions to forestry prac- tice and education of our Special Lecturer, Leopold Vidlak, were recognized by the University in his promotion to the rank of Honorary Professor. I should like, now, to look beyond the University to the condition of forestry, generally, in this country. In the early years of the present century, following 100 years of forest exploitation and destruction, predictions of a timber famine were being made by prominent conservationists. These were prompted by the rapid liquidation and disappearance of White and Red Pine stands in southern and central Ontario, and by the injudicious opening for settlement and agriculture of extensive land areas which experience proved should have been maintained under forests. It was in this atmosphere of anticipated timber supply crisis that the first professional forestry school was established in 1907 at the University of Toronto. Sixty-four years later, the 6th, and most recent, professional school in Canada came into operation at Lakehead University amidst new predictions of impending timber shortages. At the first view, we might conclude that, in spite of 64 years of professional forestry edu- cation, Canadian forestry has not been well served. This would be to ignore, however, the un- varying, heedless tendency of man to go from crisis to crisis , and the effects of wood utilization technology which have been to mitigate the depletion of preferred species by enabling the utilization of those previously regarded as of little or no value. Thus, the great sawmilling operations based upon White and Red Pine were succeeded early in this century by the pulp and paper industry which thrived upon the apparently limitless and inexhaustible Black Spruce northern forests. At this time, late in the 20th century, it appears that Poplar is to become the Cinderella species as concerns for our Spruce reserves are expressed. The history of forestry in Canada, it must be realized, is but a repetition of that of all other countries. We are confirming, again, a long established truism that no country is motivated to undertake the planned management and conservation of its forests, until it faces the problems of timber shortages, or experiences other, unfortunate consequences of forest destruction, such as soil erosion and repeated floods. Canada ' s forests have been indiscriminately exploited for 350 years. At no time in that long period, until the past five to ten years, have any serious, large-scale efforts been made by any province to attack the ever increasing problem of forest renewal. Confident that utilization technology would find solutions to the problems posed by the progressive liquidation of one species after another, we have rested serene upon the assurance given us by technology that our timber needs will be met by other species, and, as yet, undeveloped techniques. In the September - October, 1973 issue of The Log Book it is interesting, indeed, to note, in an article by a forester in the employ of a district pulp and paper company, the remark, It looks very much as if what is ahead is a lack of fibre for the mills. There are those who will be quick to protest that the predictions of timber famine, which were heard in the land 70 years ago, proved false. They will insist that current predictions will be found equally invlaid. In any case, it is interesting to note that the pinch of timber shortages for some parts of Canada were anticipated by the National Forestry Conference in 1966. More recently, a study by the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association indicated that no less than 24 mills anticipated wood supply problems within the next decade.

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Chairman ' s Remarks The year 1973 was a mixed-bag of challenges, difficulties and accomplishments for our School. I am pleased to have the opportunity to comment upon a number of matters which reflect the nature of that mixed-bag and which may be of interest to the readers of this Year Book. In general, the position of the School, as against that of one year ago, was marked by a further improvement in staffing, space and facilities. Looking back two years, to the time when the Provincial government authorized the granting of the B.Sc.F. degree by Lakehead University, it is clear that, in that period, the School has experienced a remarkable growth rate. In 1971, a full-time faculty of six, together with one technical assistant, provided forestry courses to a student body of 180. The School controlled laboratory and office space totalling approximately 6,000 square feet. During the current academic year, 14 full-time faculty members and 4 Sessional Lecturers are assisted by nine Technical Assistants. Our secretarial staff, too, has been increased to meet the growing requirements of our staff. Office, laboratory and special purpose space assigned to the School was expanded to 17,500 square feet. Enrolments in the Degree and Technology programs totalled approximately 355 at the time of this writing. The growth of the School, thus far, has been accomplished in a period of declining enrolments elsewhere in the University, and of serious budgetary problems, the effects of which have been experienced by all departments, including those which are enjoying rising enrolments. Although we have been able, thus far, to acquire and develop additional laboratories and offices without a serious impact upon other departments, it is now clear that our total space requirement for 1974-75 of approximately 30,000 square feet will not be satisfied without the surrender of substantial areas now controlled by other departments. The alternative, of scheduling evening and Saturday sessions in the laboratories currently available to us, would be regarded as unacceptable to both staff and students, I have no 7 doubt. Here, then, is a major problem with which we shall be struggling in the next few months. J The recruitment of experienced, well qualified forestry instructors is another matter of concern to us, and, indeed, to all of the professional schools in Canada. Although we have now the cap- ability to provide a full range of basic courses for the degree and technology programs, we must strive to expand our faculty to reduce the excessive course loads carried by the staff and to develop new courses in such areas as forest hydrology, land use planning, and forest recreation. Beyond these needs, I might mention that the initiation of a Masters program, as now planned for 11975, will depend upon our having additional staff to assist in this program. During the spring, an Accreditation Committee of the Ontario Professional Foresters Asso- ciation visited the University, and spent two days in discussions with us, and in an examination of our facilities. We were gratified to learn, ultimately, that the Association authorized the accreditation of our Degree Program. Late in the summer, representatives of the six professional schools in Canada met at Laval University to form the Association of University Forestry Schools of Canada. It is our hope that, through the efforts of the Association, increased federal, provincial, and industrial support for Canadian forestry education will be stimulated. The need for such support was pointed out succinctly several years ago in a report by the Science Council of Canada.

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-3- What, then, are the prospects for our graduates who will go forth from our School in 1974, and the years following, in search of careers in forest resources management? It is my opinion that the possibility for the planned management of our forests, involving a sustained public concern and commitment, cannot but be enhanced by a growing, wide spread public awareness of the dimensions of the forestry problems which confront us. We have not yet begun to manage effectively the forests of this country, and, therefore, great problems, challenges and opportunities lie ahead for all who are prepared to address themselves to the task with unflagging dedication and determination. In 1973, the Association of University Forestry Schools of Canada developed this definition of modern forestry: Modern forestry is the science, business and art of managing and conserving forests and associated lands for continuing economic social and environmental benefit. It involves the balanced management of forest resources for optimum yields of wood products, abundant wildlife, plentiful supplies of pure water, attractive scenic and recreational environments in both wildland and urban settings, and a variety of other services and products. Modern forestry draws upon knowledge and expertise from many disciplines and other professions. It has a vital role to play in the development and implementation of techniques for the management of forest resources. It is my hope and expectation that the opportunities for the practice of modern forestry , as defined here, will prove better than at any time heretofore. Then our staff will have the satisfaction of knowing that what is preached in the School will be practiced by all who go out from our laboratories and lecture rooms to improve forestry practice in Canada. Kenneth W. Hearnden, R.P.F. References (1) Science Council of Canada, Report No. 8, 1970 Seeing the Forest and the Trees . PP-15-18. (2) L. M. Lein, It Could Happen Here . Article in the Log Book , September-October, 1973 (3) National Forestry Conference, 1966, Report on summaries and conclusions. (4) Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, Submission to Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Northern Affairs and Northern Development Concerning National Parks Policy, 1971.