Got a question about forestry? Email Professor Hoberg. If he can find the answer, he’ll post it on the facebook page. Questioners will remain anonymous.Some students have found it is something a challenge to get command of the acronyms, terms, and some of the technical background that is part of the case material of BC forest policy. This page has been designed to help ease the transition.One of the most helpful site is BC Ministry of Forests Glossary of Forestry Terms.
While more technical, you might find the Encyclopedia of Forest Sciences useful as well. (Available within UBC library domain.)
Print only:
Hamish Kimmins, Balancing Act: Environmental Issues in Forestry, 2nd ed, (Vancouver: UBC Press, 1997).
most essential is Chapter 5, A Brief Primer on Forestry, but you might also find Chapter 4 useful, A Brief Primer on Ecology and Forest Ecosystems
The BC government has developed some sites and documents designed for those outside BC (especially international folks) who are interested in the province’s forests. Naturally: Wood has a wealth of introductory material designed for non-specialists, especially its forest management page. (Please keep in mind, as I’m sure you won’t need to be reminded, who produces these sites and how that might influence their presentation. Quiz question for you: who is responsible for the Naturally: Wood site?). A particularly good overview document is British Columbia’s Forests and their Management – it should be considered required reading for political science students in the class (hey, you are used to more reading anyway). For those who like maps, you should explore British Columbia’s Forests: A Geographical Snapshot.
For the big industry viewpoint, go to www.cofi.org
There is a diversity of environmental perspectives, but one particularly good site with thorough resources is at West Coast Environmental Law,http://www.wcel.org/our-work/forests-land-use
Recent First Nations activism can be followed at http://www.fnforestrycouncil.ca/home
Even with all these resources, the best way is probably to ask – either your prof or TA in or out of class, or one of the knowledgeable and helpful forestry students in the class. No need to be intimidated – you can reciprocate by sharing your knowledge of political institutions and processes!