News brief: Maine on the verge of banning aerial spraying of glyphosate
Maine, Nova Scotia’s southern neighbour, is set to ban the aerial spraying of herbicides such as glyphosate.
Clearcuts
Video: A singing season for Nova Scotia
Video: The Healthy Forest Coalition, an alliance of organizations and individuals who care about these kinds of things, are calling on the government to institute a “Singing Season” in Nova Scotia, which would pause forestry operation from May 15-July 31, and give the migratory birds that nest in our woods the time they need to raise their young.
A stubborn proposition: Ingram River Wilderness Area fights for fruition
Half hour west of Halifax, spanning 32,000 acres between the Panuke and Indian lakes immediately north of Highway 103, there waits a wilderness, simmering with potential and public use, aspiring to protection from our provincial government, all the while being slowly disassembled by people with chainsaws. Zack Metcalfe reports on the Ingram River Wilderness Area, an idea that’s just won’t quit.
The rape of our lands
Dr. Elisabeth Kosters on the sale of Owls Head, and more. “Private profit never serves the public interest. All this is rape. Our lands are raped, our future sold. There will be devastatingly Silent Springs across our lands.”
Letter: Walking on eggshells – Migratory birds and the forestry industry
Lindsay Lee on the countless nests of migratory birds illegally destroyed by forestry operations. “These species are worthy of protection for their own sake. But imagine: what would spring be like without the return of the endangered Canada warbler? Without the sweet songs of the hermit thrush?”
All hail the woods: How and when forests store carbon
Zack Metcalfe continues to explore how forests act as carbon sinks. Forests are dynamic, unruly, and just a little bit weird, absorbing carbon but also producing it, defying easy interpretations and demanding, above all, our respect and attention, he writes.
How to plant two billion trees: Finding utility in a feel-good story
Zack Metcalfe looks at the feds’ plan to plant 2 billion trees between now and 2030. If you view these 2 billion trees purely from the perspective of carbon, you’ll be disappointed, he writes. But it’s still a sensible thing to do. If we do it right, that is. This is part 1 of a two-part series. Next All hail the woods, more about forests, carbon, clearcuts and sustainable forestry. Nothing is ever simple.
Editorial cartoon: Big Moose-take
Sometimes a picture is worth a 1000 words. Nova Scotia artist Virve Whiteway created this wonderfully intricate editorial cartoon on the issues raised by Jacob Fillmore and the response by Lands and Forestry minister Chuck Porter.
“I try to do my part” – An interview with Jacob Fillmore, March 22, 2021
Violet Rosengarten interviewed Jacob Fillmore on the 15th day of his hunger strike. “I think the future could go one of two ways. We could be living in an idyllic world where everyone is provided for or a post-apocalyptic hellscape.”
Sasha Fillmore: Letter to Chuck Porter, minister of Lands and Forestry
Letter to Minister Chuck Porter: “I am Sasha Fillmore, I am 14 years old. My brother Jacob Fillmore has been protesting for almost 4 months. He camped in a tent in the middle of winter. He has had rallies, petitions and he has even gone on a hunger strike for 23 days. If that isn’t enough to get your attention, I’d like to know what would.”