A Conversation with Retired Forest Ranger Peter Romkey

Shared Ground

Curious to hear from someone who worked for Lands and Forestry (DNRR) for 22 years?

This conversation with Peter Romkey touches on the Christmas tree industry, the early days of glyphosate use in the Cape Breton Highlands, some natural history, and Peter’s idea for a specific incentive for private landowners. We hear about what he thinks should change in forestry and why the future could look much different.

Nova Scotia and the Wabanaki-Acadian Forest Region has been home to Peter Romkey for his entire life. During his year at Maritime Forest Ranger School he became enthralled with indigenous plants. His professional career with Lands and Forestry and The K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University allowed him to gather a great deal of practical knowledge about plants et al.

Retired now on Romkey Hills on the South Shore, Peter spends his time gardening, constructing stone walls and buildings, and brewing New England-style IPA along with a few other hobbies.

Peter says, "I’m very grateful that the wildlife in our small forest has welcomed us to their home and I promised them it will be better after we leave."

RESOURCES:

K.C. Irving Environmental Science Centre and Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens website

The "Lahey Report" (officially titled: An Independent Review for Forest Practices in Nova Scotia)

OTHER RESOURCES:

www.mikmaqonline.org and the section specific to trees

To donate to Shared Ground through the Ko-fi site