Glenda Hanna
Department of Physical Education and Sports Studies
University of Alberta Edmonton
P-421 Universiade Pavilion
CANADA T6G 2H9
TEL: 403-492-2311
FAX: 403-492-2364
This paper includes a description and evaluation of a consensus decision making process applied to the development of a forest conservation policy for the Province of Alberta. It is hoped that learnings from the phenomenological study of this process, the largest such consensus undertaking to date in Canada, may help inform and direct other similar endeavors.
Canada, Russia and many other countries have very active forest industries, competing with each other to provide wood and paper products domestically and abroad. Canada has an extremely active forest industry; one which is cutting virgin forests at unpredecented rates to feed its pulp and saw mills.
Forested countries of the world have experienced many common problems related to the sustainability of their forestry practises. For example, checkerboard clearcutting harvesting regimes lead to widespread wildlife habitat fragmentation and elimination of opportunities to realize other forest values like outdoor recreation and tourism. We are only now beginning to realize how much we don't know about forest components and processes (such as fire, insect and disease disturbances) and how our forestry practises do and do not appoximate these.
To that end, as part of a movement to ecosystem-based planning and management, we've endeavored to bring various stakeholders together to develop a forest conservation strategy. Consistent with the National Forest Strategy vision, approved by the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, the vision of the Alberta Forest Conservation Strategy is:
To maintain and enhance the long term health of our forest ecosystems, for the benefit of all living things locally, provincially, nationally and globally, while providing environmental, economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefit of present and future generations.
Stakeholders participating include local, provincial and federal government, the forest industry, oil and gas industry, scientists, environmentalists, aboriginals, hunters and fishers, and many others. The process is co-chaired by three people, a senior government beaurocrat, a forest industry representative, and an environmentalist/academic (the author).
The intent is to work together to develop a policy level framework for decision making with respect to forest allocation and management which reflects clear, measurable objectives. The strategy, to be succussful, must recognize and balance the inherent values of forest ecosystems in their own right, as well as the many values humans place upon them for clean air, pure water, healthy wildlife populations, timber, tourism, recreation, aesthetics and other cultural and spiritual values. It is crucial that this policy is supported by appropriate revision of relevant legislation. Fundamentally, the completed strategy will change the manner in which we manage our forests in the province.
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