What role should humans play in returning forests to their natural state?

Writer Todd Reubold
@treubold Media and communications professional

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August 6, 2015 — While forests still cover nearly 30 percent of the Earth’s surface, clear cutting presents a particular threat to many ecosystems.

The video above explores the role humans can play in returning forests to their natural state, but also forces viewers to ponder what constitutes a “natural forest ecosystem” anyway.

Filmed along the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, the video follows a team of ecologists, biologists and others from the Central Westcoast Forest Society, British Columbia Forest Service and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation as they work to revitalize a temperate forest ecosystem by felling trees to allow more light to reach the forest floor and cutting the tops off others to create habitats for forest-dwelling creatures.

What do you think: Should humans step in to help return forests to their “natural” state more quickly or should we let nature run its course?

The video “Bringing Back the Light – Restoring the Life to Canada’s Temperate Rainforests” was produced by Drew Burke and edited by Mark Wyatt for the Central Westcoast Forest Society.

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Add Your Comments

Bob Uva Nov. 9th, 2015

I've known that old growth forests were important as a habitat for various forms of wildlife. This video, however, introduced me the concept of restoring old growth faster than what would happen naturally. This seems so important that I hope that there are other such projects throughout Pacific Northwest. I live in Portland, Oregon and will be talking to others about the great work being done on Vancouver Island. Thanks for producing this!
VinnHoward Beazell Nov. 24th, 2015

Vinn Howard Beazell the native tribes can harvest the #deadwood from #deadtrees, without damaging the forest kings and queens; the harvesting of #deadtimber would provide the poor with a #stewardship to work in the forests, and PUT the #USForestStealers out of business.

What role should humans play in returning forests to their natural state?

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