TREES OF LIFE:FORESTS IN PERIL
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August 31st, 2016

8/31/2016

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I have spent a considerable amount of effort thinking about the much needed changes that are required in the science of forestry. My education and experience allowed me to question what I was observing and the impact of current forest management principles. It took a long time to realize that my concerns were not related to the lack of scientific knowledge or technology. Science, in our culture, is based on providing for the individual and not on the stewardship creation demands of each of us. 60 years ago, as I was deciding on my career goals, I too thought the major consideration was, how do I live a financially independent and  affluent life style. After much internal searching, I realized my interest and purpose was to be found working with our natural surroundings.
     Since retirement, I have continued to read, study and analyze what has, and is, happening with our valuable natural world, which we depend upon for our own survival. As I have stated before, it is not a lack of scientific knowledge or technology that is the problem, it is our destructive cultural values that are demanding more from "Mother Earth" than she is capable of providing. The paramount question that arises today is, "So, what can and are we willing to do?"
     The facts have been presented on numerous occasions by scientists and authors, yet nothing seems to change. We even have several case studies to review of past civilizations and societies that have failed and collapsed, over the past many thousands of years on this planet. Why do we refuse to deny the destruction we have done to this planet when it results in totally unacceptable future conclusions?
     My field is forestry and to have any credibility, I must stay within this field. I truly believe forestry must be given top priority if we are going to provide for future generations. Forest land managers today, and future forest scientists, must find the courage to challenge the current emphasis on managing the resources we can take from the forests, to an emphasis on managing our remaining complex forest communities that make up our natural world. Life on this planet, of which we are but a small part, demands far more than what we are providing!   
     So, are you willing to push aside the greedy approach for the economic values we can extract from the forests, and replace it with a recognition of our human requirements for healthy diverse forested lands for survival of life on this magnificent planet? What can you do, and more importantly, WHAT WILL YOU DO? I am confident the solution will not be found in better science and technology, or a trip into space!

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August 16th, 2016

8/16/2016

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This article appeared on LINKEDIN and I wanted to add my comments to my blog. I am very concerned about the transfer of federally managed public lands to the States. State budgets are stressed with some states close to bankruptcy. Their only interest is revenue! We also need to analyze how best to pay for the proper management of our remaining forested lands. It will not be inexpensive or without challenge. I believe we must pool our resources over a large population which means at the federal level. When we start proposing cutting the size of government and at what level, we must consider at what level of government can we assemble the resources required to best solve key issues and problems. I never hear our politicians talk about analyzing issues and problems in this manner!   
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August 14th, 2016

8/14/2016

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I just finished a book entitled, "THE GREAT WORK-OUR WAY INTO THE FUTURE". The Bloomsbury Review called it, "The Modern Equivalent of the Biblical Book of Revelation". The book was written by Dr. Thomas Berry, a historian of cultures. This book has allowed me to develop a much deeper understanding of the concerns I have been expressing, for the last 50 years, about the science of forestry. After retirement, I found time to focus on the management of our forested lands I had observed over the last 34 years and the haunting concerns that had developed about the science of forestry. Six years ago, when I started an effort to express my concerns in a book, I had come to the realization that the issues were primarily the result of Western cultural values, not a lack of science or technology.
We must first realize that many of the cultural values of our Western society, were carried forward from the Medieval European time period. During this time period, the survival of the human individual was a major challenge and the society was dominated by the male image, (a patriarchal society). This was also a challenging time for the Christian Religion. Much of the emphasis was on the human species and the needs of the individual. Humans were the dominant species, made in the image of God, and were to take dominion over the earth and all living things. We believed Earth belonged to us and the valuable resources of the natural world, were provided by the Creator for our use. 
These values and beliefs came with the early settlers that arrived from Europe in search of the "Land of Milk and Honey", 600 years ago. I must, quickly, point out that the work ethic and determination that came with these settlers have created the most powerful economic, democratic society that this planet has ever seen. It is also true that this affluent society and it's unbelievable scientific and technological achievements have had a major impact on this magnificent planet. Many believe science and technology will be the saving solution for the future. History has shown us that the opposite is more accurate. In most instances, advanced technology has accelerated the damage to the natural world.
Slightly more than half of our lands were once covered with trees but today are devoid of trees. The science of forestry must step forward and lead a new effort to keep our remaining forested lands healthy. The United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, once considered a world leader in the science of forestry, could regain it's position by starting the much needed changes required for our future. This means a change in cultural values that drive the science. We must change from a science that is focused on the needs of the human species and the individual's desires to a detailed understanding of the complexity of creation and our dependence upon the natural world for the very sustenance of life! REMEMBER 70% OR MORE OF ALL LIVING ORGANISMS REQUIRE FORESTS FOR LIFE! IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT MUCH HAS BEEN WRITTEN TO WARN US, BUT LITTLE HAS BEEN DONE TO START THE CHANGE PROCESS!           

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