Forests have always been an important part of my
life. I have grown up surrounded by forested landscape. Personally, they hold a
very important meaning to me. Forests exude a natural aroma of peace, quite and
solitude. They also cleanse the air of toxins and provide a ecological maze for
species of all sorts. One walk through a forest can clear your mind and create
a sort of peaceful medicine. This particular area of Ponderosa Pine forests up
and behind UBC-O holds its own beauty to it. The ecosystem has a mysterious
edge to it. It is quiet and serene and allows a little bit of an escape from
the technology driven, fast paced life of the UBC-O campus. This project
allowed me to dedicate certain times throughout the past month to explore the
natural environment and enjoy some de- stressing walks. Going for hikes through
these forests brings a sort of humbling affect into my mind, making me realize
that humans aren't the most important living thing on this planet.
Other organisms in this forest, like the chipmunk, live just like us- providing for their families, building shelter and gathering food. It displays the interconnectedness nature provides and how we can be a part of it. I believe the problem is, that we as a species, have to 'change' everything. This is a natural environment that functions on its own. The problem with humans is we believe to hold dominion over this natural landscape, when in fact, we don't. This forest should not be changed, but rather left alone. Fires should be allowed to flow through this environment in dry seasons and should be left alone. People don't realize that suppressing fires will create more catastrophic fires in the future. An example of this is the Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003 which "consumed over 25,000 hectares of forest and park land" ("Okanagan Mountain Park Fire", 1).
(2003 Fire Storm. 2003.
Castanet, Kelowna.)
This fire affected humans on a whole other level, and was way more dangerous than any normal fire. Another necessity I believe that we as a campus should do is teach the importance and the function of this particular forest. Having people understand this environment, will create less ignorance and a greater respect for forested landscapes as a functioning entity. Education is the key to a better life, for the forest itself and students. This site should be protected because it is a diverse natural community that is providing clean and air and well being for campus students. It also holds together the landscape, which is necessary to a sustainable future. In all, we need to find alternatives to fire suppression, bring more knowledge to these forests and bring people to find respect for these areas.
Other organisms in this forest, like the chipmunk, live just like us- providing for their families, building shelter and gathering food. It displays the interconnectedness nature provides and how we can be a part of it. I believe the problem is, that we as a species, have to 'change' everything. This is a natural environment that functions on its own. The problem with humans is we believe to hold dominion over this natural landscape, when in fact, we don't. This forest should not be changed, but rather left alone. Fires should be allowed to flow through this environment in dry seasons and should be left alone. People don't realize that suppressing fires will create more catastrophic fires in the future. An example of this is the Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003 which "consumed over 25,000 hectares of forest and park land" ("Okanagan Mountain Park Fire", 1).
This fire affected humans on a whole other level, and was way more dangerous than any normal fire. Another necessity I believe that we as a campus should do is teach the importance and the function of this particular forest. Having people understand this environment, will create less ignorance and a greater respect for forested landscapes as a functioning entity. Education is the key to a better life, for the forest itself and students. This site should be protected because it is a diverse natural community that is providing clean and air and well being for campus students. It also holds together the landscape, which is necessary to a sustainable future. In all, we need to find alternatives to fire suppression, bring more knowledge to these forests and bring people to find respect for these areas.
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