District
19 (Labrador) Forest Management Committee
Strategic
Project Proposal Workplan developed for Labrador/Nitassinan
The Innu
Nation and the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural
Resources have formed a unique partnership to implement a
Strategic Forest Management Plan for District 19, a 2.27-million
hectare management area in central Labrador. Forest Management
Committee for District 19 (FMC) also facilitates public involvement
and provides advice to the Minister of Natural Resources and
President of the Innu Nation concerning forest management
in the region.
The Western
Newfoundland Model Forest (WNMF) Partnership is supporting
the FMC by acting as facilitator in implementing the management
plan.
“We
support the FMC because our partners view this as a unique
opportunity for Canada’s Model Forest Network (CMFN)
and the WNMF Partnership to assist in advancing sustainable
forest management (SFM) beyond our boundaries,” says
WNMF general manager Jim Taylor.
The role
of the FMC is to:
• Promote the development of co-operative mechanisms
to manage development and use of forest resources within the
limits of ecosystem processes in such a way that ecosystem
functions, local cultures and community economics can be sustained
over time;
• Review and make recommendations concerning present
and proposed forest-based developments in order to enhance
opportunities for local employment, value-added production,
increased diversity of economic activities, improved infrastructure,
cultural and recreational activities, and other benefits for
present and future generations;
• Ensure the cultural, economic and social needs and
aspirations of the Innu people and local communities are considered
in management and development of forest resources;
• Review research, monitor results and make recommendations
concerning monitoring and research priorities, including measures
to incorporate Innu and other local knowledge in research
and monitoring; and,
• Review and make recommendations on the respective
roles and responsibilities of the Department of Forest Resources
and Agrifoods and Innu Nation in implementing the Plan, giving
consideration to policy and program requirements and the need
for capacity development, while avoiding duplication and overlap.
Implementation
of this project will help to enhance cross-cultural understanding
and traditional knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador’s
ecosystems, says Taylor. The Innu Nation, Department of Natural
Resources and local resource managers have many ideas they
wish to share and put into practice. The Innu Nation, through
Valerie Courtois, is also contributing to the CMFN Aboriginal
Strategic Initiative.
The Canadian Forest Service (CFS) has an important role to
play in implementing the management plan by providing expertise
and knowledge about ecosystems to help enhance SFM in Labrador.
As well, partners are seeking a strong relationship with the
Institute for Environmental Monitoring and Research (IEMR)
in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, which has a solid scientific research
program and an existing community outreach network.
The FMC
has developed a detailed workplan outlining many projects
to achieve good forest management based on scientific, cultural
and traditional values of importance to the Innu Nation and
the people of Newfoundland and Labrador as a whole.
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