Warner Pacific College
7/29/2014
Sustainable Logging
Sustainable development occurs where three sets of
goals overlap: social, economic, and environmental goals. Development is a key
word in that statement. In our everyday life, it involves making purposeful
changes intended to improve the quality of life. Building things such as homes,
schools, hospitals, power plants, factories, and transportation networks are examples
of development. The United Nations defines sustainable development as “meets
the needs of the present without sacrificing the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs” (Withgott & Laposata, 2014) . Now let us
see how logging in Oregon is deemed sustainable with the future generations in
mind.
The Tillamook Burn that started in 1933 and
when it ended had burned in total 355,000 acres (Wikipedia, 2014) . Protecting our forests can
start by removing (or harvesting) them. “Management by experienced forest
professionals not only decreases tragic losses to unwanted wildfire and forest
health decline, but professional management supports the balance sought by
Oregonians today and future generations” (Loggers, 2014) . “Forest protection laws help ensure that all
Oregon forests operate under a common set of guidelines and practices to help
assure that forestlands are sustained in a forested condition for future
generations…” (Loggers, 2014) .
Setting our future generations up for success
by protective laws. “Effective Oregon and federal forest policies must foster
landowner stewardship, business profit, and community prosperity, so we can
have the three components of forest sustainability: 1) healthy forest
ecosystems; 2) a thriving forest sector economy; and 3) a self-sufficient rural
society and ample forest recreation” (Loggers, 2014) . About 40
million trees are planted in Oregon’s forests alone.
Burning is another way to keep a forest
healthy. Getting rid of all of the debris or overgrown vegetation can prevent a
large scale forest fire. “Forest burning operations require a permit, written
plan, reporting, and prior ignition approval from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry”
(Loggers, 2014) .
“Oregon's forest sector still provides
family-wage employment for over 76,000 Oregonians - nearly 5.3% of all jobs,
and $5.2 billion in total income” (Loggers, 2014) . “In Oregon,
it’s estimated that only 8% percent of Oregon’s forestland has been converted
to non-forest use since 1630, while population increased tenfold” (Loggers, 2014) .
References
Loggers, O. (2014,
01 01). Sustainably Forest. Retrieved 07 29, 2014, from Oregon
Loggers: http://www.oregonloggers.org/Forest_Sustainability_Society.aspx
Wikipedia.
(2014, 07 03). Tillamook Burn. Retrieved 07 29, 2014, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillamook_Burn
Withgott, J.,
& Laposata, M. (2014). Environment: The Science Behind the Stories.
Glenview, IL: Pearson.
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