What happens to a forest when it's seen only as a place to harvest trees? Centuries of destructive forest management practices have caused serious harm to the Wabanaki forest on Canada's East Coast. Scientists have proven these practices have devastating effects on forest biodiversity and human and animal health. However, those who have tried to fight for change are up against the powerful, multibillion-dollar forest industry, whose longtime media monopoly has worked to silence any dissent. This audio storytelling piece focuses on people in the Maritime provinces who have seen changes in their forests, organized in their communities, and stood up against one of the most powerful industries in the country. In this episode, we talk to wildlife biologists, community organizers, journalists, professors, and community members about the powerful work they have done in their province.
This podcast was made as a part of the Empathy Squad's audio storytelling training program, funded by the Canada Service Corps.
In the 50s, the province of New Brunswick went to war against the spruce budworm. Spray planes shot down DDT over millions of hectares of forest, devastating local wildlife. In her seminal work Silent Spring, Rachel Carson describes how the pesticide would build up in what she called 'rivers of death,' nearly obliterating the salmon population. The province made the switch to fenitrothion, which proved to be toxic to bees and birds. Now the forestry industry sprays herbicides, such as glyphosate, which majorly affect the deer, moose, and bird populations. The overwhelming majority of the province does not want to see these herbicides used in their forest.
It's been 70 years, and every spraying season, planes will once again cover the forest. How many years does history have to repeat itself? How many years will it take for the province to listen?
