Lesson 2: Forest Values

In the previous units, you have studied the importance of forests from an environmental, economic, and social perspective. However, not all people regard these three perspectives to be of equal importance.
Forests are valuable to different people for different reasons and people do not always agree as to why forests are most important.

What do you value most about the forest?

Why is it important to you?

For example, if you are a hiking enthusiast, you may value the forests most for the recreational opportunities they offer. However, if you work for a timber company, you might value the forest most for the economic opportunities it can provide.

If you value the forest most for the environmental benefits it provides, you likely believe in conservation and preservation, or a combination of the two. 

• Conservationists value the world's forests for providing life-supporting environments for humans and animals. They favour the development of forests to meet current needs without harming future productivity, the ecological diversity of the forest, or the forest's capacity for regeneration. In other words conservationists value sustainable forest management to avoid depleting the forest resources.
  
• Conservationists believe that as long as the natural ecological systems are not damaged by human activity, forests can be used indefinitely for a variety of purposes. It is all about balancing the needs of humans with the needs of the forest.
  
• Preservationists' forest values resemble those belonging to conservationists, but preservationists would like to stop timber harvesting altogether. Preservationists believe that forests should remain intact, preserving the forest ecology and maintaining forest biodiversity.

 

If you value the forest most for the economic benefits it can provide, then you probably see the forest as a source of income and employment. 

• Forestry-related activities account for more income and jobs than any other industry in the country.
  
• The forest industry produces many products which are useful in people's daily lives.
  

People who value the forest for its economic benefits tend to believe in sustainable forest management, which means that we should not harvest our forests at a rate faster than they can grow. In contrast to conservationists, however, people who value forests primarily for their economic value may believe that a larger percentage of the trees in the forest can be harvested without affecting the sustainability of the resource.

If you value the forest most for the social benefits it can provide, then you probably see Canada's magnificent forests as a source of enjoyment and personal fulfillment. More than likely, you use the forests for many pleasurable activities including canoeing, hiking, rafting, photography, fishing, skiing, hunting, camping, painting, and bird watching. Those who value the forest for its social benefits tend to support sustainable forest management as long as some preserved areas are maintained.