We are preparing to return to Michigan for the summer and are reminded of the contacts we have made this winter. This website has resulted in several renewed contacts with Forest Service retirees that we worked with over the years. It has been interesting to learn about the efforts of several retirees to influence the current management of our remaining forested lands. Some are working on potential legislation to redirect the management of forestlands in the future. It is entitled " Forest Management for the 21st Century ". This legislation re-focuses our management on eco-systems. This is very similar to my recommendations, however I prefer to use "communities" as it is easier to describe to the pubic and conveys the concepts of connectedness and relationships in a much stronger way. Others have been working with elected officials to encourage a more aggressive approach to the suppression of catastrophic wildfires. Significant reduction in the treatment of forested lands has resulted in a serious increase in loss of acres, property and even lives. There is even speculation that some of the ignitions may be linked to terrorism. We have talked with several individuals that have been involved in training sessions and discussions about methods of reducing the risks to personal property from wildfires. Communities are forming groups and seminars to discuss forest health and what citizens need know about protecting their property. These efforts are encouraging and need to be supported. Reudoso, New Mexico is setting a good example, and is conducting a symposium on Forest Health this month.
The most disappointing information is a recent report released in 2013 by an organization called, " Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility". This report states that " U.S. Forest Service employees do not think very highly of their agency's leadership". This report supports findings from a report in 2012, where a survey of 292 federal agencies, of employee morale, placed the Forest Service in 256th place. This is disturbing and a significant change over the last 20 years. Maybe we need to reach back into our Native American ancestry for wisdom about the complexity of nature and also into our traditional Forest Service work ethics of what was once recognized as one of the world's leading forest land managing organizations!
The most disappointing information is a recent report released in 2013 by an organization called, " Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility". This report states that " U.S. Forest Service employees do not think very highly of their agency's leadership". This report supports findings from a report in 2012, where a survey of 292 federal agencies, of employee morale, placed the Forest Service in 256th place. This is disturbing and a significant change over the last 20 years. Maybe we need to reach back into our Native American ancestry for wisdom about the complexity of nature and also into our traditional Forest Service work ethics of what was once recognized as one of the world's leading forest land managing organizations!
