T - Association of BC Forest Professionals

Book Review
Wildlife & Trees in BC
Eds. Fenger, M., T.Manning, J. Cooper, S. Guy, & P. Bradford
pp 336. illustr
Lone Pine Publishing, 2006.
T“This new field guide provides the most recent understanding of
how forested ecosystems work and how to manage forests for wildlife
species that depend on specific types of trees. A collaboration between
biologists and foresters, this guide integrates conservation principles
with tree management practices.” Such is the claim on the book’s back
cover, and, unlike so many publishers’ blurbs, it is no exaggeration.
The guide, profusely illustrated with excellent photographs and clear
diagrams, is organized in five parts. Part one discusses wildlife trees and
their dependent species; the descriptions of wildlife trees and the processes
of decay will be familiar to most forest professionals but the linkages to
birds, mammals and bio-diversity will be illuminating. Part two, on wildlife
trees and ecosystem management, will be more of an aide memoire
than anything else while the short part
three, on wildlife trees in urban and Ranking: 5 out of 5 cones
rural environments, will have particular
relevance for urban forest professionals.
This would have been the place
to point out that topping to facilitate
nest-building may be acceptable in rural
settings but it is unwise in built-up
areas. Part four, titled Knowing the
Trees, should be just a refresher course
for forest professionals with a dendrology course under their belts. Part five
begins by reconciling BC’s terrestrial ecoprovinces with the more familiar
biogeoclimatic regions and one wonders why there have to be two separate
and different systems to describe the same landscape. This is followed by
detailed descriptions of 19 primary cavity excavators; 20 birds, 11 bats and
seven mammals which are secondary cavity users; and nine open nesting
birds. All have photos and range maps.
There are a couple of appendices, a glossary and an extensive bibliography.
Production is well up to Lone Pine’s high standard.
Now that the many facets of forestry and forest land management are of
universal concern and interest, every forest professional should study this
guidebook and it will be of much more use in the pocket of a cruiser’s vest
than gathering dust on an office shelf. �
Reviewed by Roy Strang, PhD, RPF(Ret)
28 BC FOREST PROFESSIONAL | MAY - JUNE 2007
Member
News
Erratum
Darren DeRosier, RFT, should have been included in the list of
new RFTs in the September/October 2006 issue of BC Forest
Professional.
On the Move
Diane R. Medves, RPF, was appointed the director of the Forest
Practices Branch for the Ministry of Forests and Range in
March 2007.
Awarded
To recognize members who keep informed in their field of
practice and are aware of current issues and developments in
forestry (as per Bylaw 11.4.6), the association awards certificates
of professional development. The following members
completed at least 150 contact hours of continuing education
and professional development activity during a five-year
period and qualified for a certificate: Rodney John Derouin,
RPF; Craig E. Mistal, RPF; George O. Zorn, RPF.
Applicants who personally bore the majority of the costs to
obtain a certificate are eligible to win one of two annual $250
Meloche Monnex Continuing Education Awards. Find more
information online (www.abcfp.ca).
New RPFs
Shannon Burbee, RPF; Mona Desgroseilliers, RPF; Lee Evans,
RPF; Peter Forbes, RPF; Tera Devlyn Grady, RPF; Jonathan
Rowe, RPF.
New RFTs
Helen Theodora Eggen, RFT; Jill Ann Macaulay, RFT; Shauna
Rae Norman, RFT; George Ryan, RFT; Shane Eugene Sexsmith,
RFT; Shane Rene Simard, RFT.
New Special Permits
Jamie Beaulne, Transferring Professional Forester; Sean
Mastervick, Transferring Professional Forester.