Tetapuotmnej NipuktMaking the Most of Our Hardwood Resources

Well-known author and critic of forest practices in Nova Scotia, Jamie Simpson is a keynote speaker at an all-day workshop on sustainable forest practices being held in Eskasoni on March 30.
"Tetapuo'tmnej Nipukt-Making the Most of Our Hardwood Resources" is being organized by UINR-Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources and looks at the Mi'kmaq way of using the whole forest in a sustainable and inclusive way.
"The forest sustains us, we do not sustain the forest," Simpson says.
The author of "Restoring the Acadian Forest", believes we need to return our forests to their natural, original state. Simpson holds a Master of Science in Forestry degree and has a wealth of experience as a logger and forest management planner. He is Forestry Program Coordinator for the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax and has a wealth of experience in forest ecology, land conservation and low-impact logging.
Across Canada over 50,000 forestry jobs have been lost over the last few years. Demand for paper and lumber is declining and unless changes are made, the 270,000 jobs remaining in forestry will be jeopardized.
Mark MacPhail, UINR's Directory of Forestry believes that despite gloomy predictions there is hope for the industry and a new understanding of the forest as a whole.
"Our workshop looks at ways we can blend traditional wood production with new uses to get maximum value from every tree. For thousands of years the Mi'kmaq used the forests in a sustainable and diverse way. We need to revisit these methods and return to a balance in the way we treat our forests."
A diverse selection of workshop speakers join Jamie Simpson-Mi'kmaq basket makers Caroline Gould and Ursula Johnson, woodturner Hugh Ross, herb crafter Cecila Brooks, renowned canoe builder Todd Labrador and sawmill owner David Fraser.
"Tetapuo'tmnej Nipukt-Making the Most of Our Hardwood Resources" begins at 10:00am. Registration is free but attendance is limited to 40 attendees. Register by emailing your name and contact information to: info@uinr.ca