TOMORROW'S FORESTS . . -. TODﬁY'S (HELLENGE

NATIONAL FOREST WEEK “ by Debbie Peters, Sbuthport

National Forest week is celebrated each year across Canada during the first full week in May. Its primary objective is to focus attention on the importance of managing Canada's forests wisely for present as well as future needs. National Forest week is sponsored across Canada by the Canadian Forestry Association and regionally by its member Provincial Forestry Associations. On P.E.I., National Forest week is sponsored by such organizations as the Central Prince Forestry AssOciation, the Eastern woodlands Association (woodlot owner groups), the P.E.I. Subsection of the Canadian Institute of Forestry (professional forestry group), the Island Nature Trust, and the Department of Energy and Forestry.

National Forest week wasn’t always named as such. In the 1920’s, when the week was conceived, Forest Fire Protection week emphasized prevention of wild- fires which were a major concern. In the ’30’s, Save the Forest week emphasized forest protection, which involved more than wildfire prevention. In the ’50’s, the message of National conservation week was to include wise use and management of the forests.

deby, National Forest Week is broad enough to include a variety of messages, based on wise forest management. It also encourages widespread participation in special forestry activities such as tree planting and forestry tours.

National Forest week in 1984 is being celebrated May 6-12. The 1984 theme, "Tomorrow's Forests.....deay's Challenge”, directs attention to what must be done to manage our forests today to ensure the many benefits they must provide in the future. Forest management activities that must be attended to and invested in are forest renewal, protection from wildfire, insects and disease, tending and silvicultural practices. Increased research and trained technicians and professionals are also important aspects of forest management.

But the main purpose of National Forest week is to encourage the public to become interested in and support good forest management. They are the influential managers of the forest.

° NﬁTIONFiL MﬁYb-IZ FOREST 1984 WEEK

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