The Public's Power, and Canoeing for Conservation- with Mike Lancaster

Shared Ground

Join us for the story of a canoe “marathon”, completed in less than a day, in which four Nova Scotians traveled from one side of the province to the other, and why they did it.

During this episode, consider the many reasons why folks including Mike Lancaster are dedicated to an Ingram River Wilderness Area, and how wilderness areas support a wide range of recreational uses.

Hear why land-level planning is crucial to protecting areas of such fragility and importance, about the many opportunities for various economic activities that are aligned with ecological values, some cool facts about the size and age of some trees in this region, and some surprising history of the forestry industry’s reaction to the pulpwood industry in Nova Scotia in the ‘60s.

We gain a greater awareness of what our Wabanaki-Acadian forests are capable of and what that can mean for our communities. It is inspiring to consider the diversity of what is possible when we manage our human actions for values that include ecological and community health.

Mike Lancaster's work crosses multiple disciplines with a focus on forestry, conservation, and community development. Some of the many roles that Mike fills include being the Executive Director of the St. Margaret's Bay Stewardship Association, the Stewardship Coordinator for the Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization, and the Coordinator of the Healthy Forest Coalition. Mike also owns his own forest and trail management and consulting company where he works with clients to implement management strategies to achieve their goals while ensuring that ecological values take the forefront of decision making. Mike also sits on the board of the Medway Community Forest coop

Mike clearly explains the three important elements- of how, where and when- of good forestry and gives clarity to some of the issues surrounding various aspects of forestry, as well as some of the terms which have come to replace the wording of “clear cutting”, and about some of the competing interests between various governmental departments. Hear about the watershed-based approach of the St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association, and take heart in knowing there is a need for more foresters who are able and willing to do work for woodlot owners who prioritize ecological values over an extractive model and that this is an opportunity for emerging foresters.

Join us for this informative hour!

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Protect the Ingram River Wilderness Area website

St. Margaret’s Bay Community Enterprise Centre

St. Margaret’s Bay Stewardship Association

Woodens River Watershed Environmental Organization

The Healthy Forests Coalition

Larchwood (in Cape Breton)

Our Parks and Protected Areas Plan

Annual Progress Reporting for the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act

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

Lahey’s evaluation of progress, Nov. 2021

Harvest Plans Map Viewer

Eastern Shore Forest Watch Association

Community-based forest management:

• Mi'kmaq Forestry Initiative
• Medway Community Forest Coop

Gov’t of Canada information on the Migratory Birds Convention Act

Against the Grain, a book by L. Anders Sandberg

FAQs from the Protected Areas and Ecology’s branch of NS Environment and Climate Change

OTHER RESOURCES:

link to find your MLA

8-minute interview on CBC Information Morning with Mike and Alain about their canoe trip

Climate Action in K'jipuktuk in Halifax on Friday, Sept 23, 2022

To donate to Shared Ground through the Ko-fi site