Biomass and Harvesting

Forestry association cries foul
Complaint filed against outspoken critic of harvesting practices in N.S.
By GORDON DELANEY Valley Bureau
Wed. Feb 3 - 4:53 AM


Forestry program co-ordinator Jamie Simpson, outside the Ecology Action Centre in Halifax on Tuesday, has been slammed by the Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia after speaking out on clearcutting.(Peter Parsons / Staff)





A professional forestry association has filed a formal complaint against an employee of the Ecology Action Centre who spoke out against some controversial biomass harvesting methods.

The Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia says Jamie Simpson, forestry program co-ordinator at the centre, has breached the professional code of ethics.

Association president Ian Millar says in a letter of complaint dated Dec. 7 that Mr. Simpson has misrepresented his qualifications by using the registered professional foresters designation he attained in New Brunswick.

The letter says the designation only applies in that province and not in Nova Scotia. The association has asked that Mr. Simpson "cease and desist" using the RPF designation in this province when dealing with local forestry topics.

The Nova Scotia association has also complained that Mr. Simpson breached the association’s code of ethics by publicly calling into question the work of other foresters, and by actions that reflect poorly on the profession.

The complaint was made to the Ecology Action Centre’s volunteer board of directors and to the Association of Registered Professional Foresters of New Brunswick, to which Mr. Simpson belongs.

The New Brunswick association acknowledged the complaint in a letter dated Jan. 6, in which association president John Kershaw says that a committee will be struck to investigate and, if warranted, refer the matter to a disciplinary committee.

Mr. Simpson has a master’s of science degree in forestry from the University of New Brunswick. He has worked on a variety of forest conservation and forest certification projects in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Mexico, and recently authored a book about forest ecology and restoration for woodlot owners in the Maritimes.

In recent months, he has spoken out publicly against clearcutting and whole-tree harvesting practices for biomass production. He has been quoted in The Chronicle Herald as saying it’s "the worst of the worst, and the science is clear that this practice is not sustainable.

"It’s hard to believe this is happening in Nova Scotia in the 21st century," Mr. Simpson said about a site near Caribou Mines that was harvested last fall by Northern Pulp Nova Scotia Corp.

"It’s an embarrassment."

He also recently criticized a forestry certification program called the Sustainable Forestry Initiative as "greenwashing," an attempt by large corporations to appear more environmentally friendly than they really are.

"It’s an easy way to have a label next to their name that says they’re involved in sustainable forestry," he told The Chronicle Herald in December.

Mr. Simpson said he believes the forestry association complaints are an attempt to stop him from talking about controversial forest harvesting methods.

Author of the book Restoring the Acadian Forest: A Guide to Forest Stewardship for Woodlot Owners in the Maritimes, he said there are no "hard and fast rules" about using his forestry designation in this province.

"It’s a grey area where foresters do work in other provinces and there’s no legal or bylaw requirement within the organization to formally say that you cannot do this," he said in an interview Monday.

"Nonetheless, I have decided to make it clear that I am designated in New Brunswick."

As for speaking out on clearcutting practices and whole-tree harvesting, Mr. Simpson said that is part of his conservation role with the Ecology Action Centre.

"I think it’s a little bit short-sighted saying it’s unethical to bring to the public’s attention these practices, because ultimately I think most foresters would not condone them," he said.

"What we really need to do is address the practices and not those who are being critical of them."

Mr. Simpson said he respects the forestry associations and wants to continue being a member "because I think I have a lot to bring to the profession as a forester who has a concern for the ecological health of our forests."

"Any organization, any group of professionals needs to re-examine itself and grow and change as science shows the effects of certain practices and as the public becomes aware of these practices," he said.

"I’m proud to be a forester . . . and I think trying to quiet somebody from trying to talk about these issues is not progressive and ultimately will just do more damage to the profession."

( gdelaney@herald.ca)