We are back in Michigan for the summer and had a great winter in New Mexico. We were able to visit several very old sites in southern New Mexico where early Native American people once occupied the land. This trips allowed us to put together a great collection of photographs of the Indian petroglyphs from several sites. This rock art was probably 1000 to 1500 years old. Observing how these people lived and survived in the harsh environment, how close they were to Nature, forces one to consider what our future holds as we continue to disregard the lack of balance we have created in our human environment. As a forest scientist, these considerations certainly force me to reflect upon my 34 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and and question what has, and is, being done to our forested lands?
Recently, I have been corresponding with several forest scientists on the internet. One of the newer thoughts has been to push the concept of " Sustainability" for the management of natural resources and our remaining forests. The concept of "sustained yield" in forestry was introduced back in the 1880's and 90's by early forestry leaders, ( if we don't harvest more than we grow each year we can provide a continual flow for future generations). Sustainability is fine , but it must be coupled with BALANCE within our environment. How do we develop a sustainable economy when people who live on the North American continent require 20 acres to produce the energy and production for each person, yet when you divide the total acres on the planet by the world population, there are only 4 acres available per person.
There is no simple answer, but certainly the time has arrived when all of us are being challenged to consider where we are going rather than how we improve our financial status! WHAT WE DO TO OUR FORESTS WE DO TO OURSELVES!
Recently, I have been corresponding with several forest scientists on the internet. One of the newer thoughts has been to push the concept of " Sustainability" for the management of natural resources and our remaining forests. The concept of "sustained yield" in forestry was introduced back in the 1880's and 90's by early forestry leaders, ( if we don't harvest more than we grow each year we can provide a continual flow for future generations). Sustainability is fine , but it must be coupled with BALANCE within our environment. How do we develop a sustainable economy when people who live on the North American continent require 20 acres to produce the energy and production for each person, yet when you divide the total acres on the planet by the world population, there are only 4 acres available per person.
There is no simple answer, but certainly the time has arrived when all of us are being challenged to consider where we are going rather than how we improve our financial status! WHAT WE DO TO OUR FORESTS WE DO TO OURSELVES!
