Dear diocese,
If you go down in the woods today
You’re sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today
You’d better go in disguise!
(The Teddy Bear’s Picnic)
Today, during this dark, snowy winter, in pandemic times, going into “the woods” has been my source of sanity. I live in a rural area, so my husband and I have walked in “the woods” more this past fall and winter than ever before
While trekking in “the woods” each day, we could not help but notice that the sections of clear cut are not nearly as effective at protecting us from the winter wind as much as the sections of select cut. They aren’t near as pleasing to the eye either.
Every day, I post photos of our Covid hike, a Facebook record of our efforts to maintain physical and mental health while social distancing. As you might expect, the best photos are taken in areas where select cutting has taken place. Looking at the photos on-line, you might not be aware that there are clear cuts out in “the woods”. But we know better. Back in the fall, the Moose Country Forest Protectors in southwest Nova Scotia posted photos of clear cuts to help people understand how much of the province has been de-forested. Then, they set up camp blocking roads to crown land to protect the moose population.
As you might expect, during our treks in “the woods”, we have encountered a few porcupines, loads of deer and rabbit tracks, bear scat and fresh footprints up on the ridge behind our house. On bright and sunny, Saturday morning, we saw the footprints, then heard the moose, all too uncomfortably close, but still hidden by the trees. Late one afternoon, on a back road, another moose ahead, paused as it crossed the road, watched us and stomped the ground as it considered whether to charge or move on. (We most certainly moved on, retreating at a rather quick pace.)
On our walks in “the woods”, we are intentional about not be a big disturbance to the wildlife. Not disrupting their lives as they go about their daily business. They face too many other challenges as it is.
The Moose Country Forest Protectors want everyone be aware, to care for creation and protect the habitat of the endangered mainland moose.
One of those people who are passionate about this is Marilyn Cameron, a small woodlot owner and a farmer in Kings County, N.S, who explains: “Dozens of forest-related organizations, including NS Environmental Network, across the province have been reporting how distressing it is to witness the deterioration of our forests’ health and wildlife populations in our province from industrial forestry practises…
So Marilyn decided to support “a really great cause and do something to stop the forestry industry from wiping out our forests on crown land by clear cutting.”
Marilyn goes on to say, “With the cooperation of several organizations and hundreds of concerned residents, I have started a province-wide postcard campaign that is asking the Minister of Lands & Forestry to declare a moratorium on clear cutting of crown, and all other publicly owned, lands; to adopt the recommendations of the Lahey Report; and protect endangered and at-risk species and their habitat… our voices could have a major impact at the office of the Minister of Lands & Forestry when considering our demands for action concerning the future management of publicly owned crown lands.”
To obtain postcards for yourself or your parish, contact Marilyn at [email protected] and provide your mailing address and the number of cards you wish to take to have signed and sent.
Blessings from the outer world,
Rev. Marian Lucas-Jefferies
