Lesson 4: A Social Contract

Imagine what would happen to our forests in the absence of law and order. Everyone would have unlimited freedoms, including the right to plunder our resources. This would devastate all lands and forests, all for selfish personal use and profit. Such a scenario would unquestionably result in utter destruction of all our resources in rather short order.

To avoid such unfortunate happenings, free people contract with each other to establish a political community (example, a civil society), in which unfettered freedom is curbed by mutually agreed-on rules, thereby accepting the obligation to respect and defend the rights of others.

Such human creations of law and political order is known as a social contract, and it is important to realize that Alberta's Integrated Land Management (ILM) and Integrated Resource Plans (IRP) are prime examples of such a contract.

As a social contract, the Integrated Land Management and Integrated Resource Plans are contractual agreements among the following stakeholders:

• the Government of Alberta that enacts legislation with a civil society in mind
• all industrial users of forested public land
• the public of Alberta, including all recreational users of forests.
  

The public of Alberta includes YOU! As a visitor on public forest lands, you are encouraged to enjoy your recreational activities in a safe manner that respects the environment and other users. Using public forests responsibly will help to ensure your recreational access to Alberta's forests now and in the future.

Be responsible, in other words a good steward of the forest.  Respect the forest.