Eco-Journal, v.17.5 Nov/Dec 2007

Diversity of views

One characteristic of the environmental movement (as in healthy ecosystems) is diversity. Environmental organizations and activists may agree on broad overall goals, but often select different strategies and methods for achieving them. Nowhere is this more true than in the area of forest and species conservation. In this edition of Eco-Journal, 3 articles illustrate the point. Dave Nickarz, a longtime activist with a variety of groups, takes issue with the recent certification of forest company Tembec by the Forest Stewardship Council, while Ron Thiessen of CPAWS describes a collaborative approach to the issue of caribou habitat conservation—also involving Tembec. Meanwhile, Gaile Whelan Enns of Manitoba Wildlands takes the larger perspective examining the provincial record of protecting natural areas over the past year. All three contribute to a broader understanding of these important questions. Eco-Journal welcomes your reactions!