Multiple Use of Forests Advocated by Working Party

Forest and Bird, Issue 171, 1 February 1969, Page 13

Multiple Use of Forests Advocated by Working Party

A HINT that New Zealanders should hesitate before locking.away any more large areas of forest land as parks or reserves dedicated to a single purpose has been given by the 15-man multiple-use working party of the Forestry Development Conference. f

THE day must come when reserving more large areas of land solely for timber production, water conservation, or recreation will be regarded as a foolish waste of land resources,” says the chairman, Dr N. H. Taylor, a former director of the Soil Bureau of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. “Only an excessively land-rich country could ever practise single-purpose forestry indefinitely,” he says. “Even the United States, with its vast resources, has been forced in recent years to adopt multiple use as official policy. New Zealand, a small country with limited land resources, must inevitably adopt a similar policy.” The working party recognises many uses for forests. Forests provide fresh clear water supplies and prevent soil erosion and flooding. They produce wood for some of the nation’s biggest industries. They create a scenic environment for wildlife to thrive in and man to enjoy. Key Objectives The working party considers that the key objectives of forest management in New Zealand must always be timber production and watershed protection, Dr Taylor says. “The importance of timber production needs no emphasis. However, the role of watershed protection forests in the national economy is, in comparison, less well appreciated. Pure water in regular supply is a national resource of the first magnitude. In all mountain forests, soil and water conservation must be the first priority of land use.” Recognising the primary importance of timber production and watershed protection does not imply that the working party disregards values such as scenery preservation, recreation, and wildlife conservation.

However, observes Dr Taylor, unless management objectives are given priorities, multiple use could lead to gross land mismanagement and administrative chaos. Minor and Local Conflict At present, there is only minor and local conflict between production and protection interests, he says. The mountain forests contain little timber that is merchantable by present-day standards. On the other hand, almost all commercial forests, native and exotic, are so situated that their watershed protection value is minimal or unlikely to be impaired significantly if logging is carried out with normal care. Dr Taylor warns that there is room for conflict between uses as the demand for timber grows and/or new forests are established on steeper land at higher altitudes. Conflicts between the various forestry interests are inevitable, he says, but strife can be mitigated if the problems are anticipated. “The greatest step forward that could be taken would be for the timber industry itself to seize the initiative and voluntarily develop suitable areas for recreation, scenic, or wildlife purposes.” Scenic Values The working party considers that attempts should be made to enhance the scenic values of forests, Dr Taylor says. This can be done by planting to repair existing damage done to scenery by road construction, logging, and building and by the designation of scenic areas where plantings will be made of attractive trees. In planting for beauty, three basic principles must be aimed at: variety, harmony, and contrast.

Dr Taylor emphasises that the greatest single contribution of forestry to the tourist industry is the maintenance of attractive background scenery. Importance of Unspoiled Countryside “An unspoiled countryside is as important in attracting tourists as are the more publicised tourist centres,” he says. The working party has noted that in developing areas for recreational purposes the Forest Service has shown the way by establishing forest parks, such as Tararua and north-west Nelson, which are managed on multiple-use principles. More forest parks are planned. However, the working party thinks that production forest owners should allow the public limited or seasonal access to their forests when such access does not conflict with forest activities. This would apply particularly to those forests near centres of population or alongside major highways. Facilities desirable for full recreational use of forests by the public include scenic roads, picnic areas, camping grounds, and tracks. Public Education Necessary Public education is necessary to obtain public support for forest conservation, says Dr Taylor., The working party intends to press for an educational programme on multiple-use forestry, with the basic theme that those who have the privilege of entering

forests also bear responsibility for caring for them.

In Switzerland, where 90 percent of the national forest area contributes to timber production, legislation provides for all forests to be managed primarily for water conservation and also for all forests to be available for recreation.

Soil and Water Conservation Should be First Purpose of Forest Management

COMMENTING on the foregoing statement, the President, Mr R. C. Nelson, who is a member of the multiple use working party of the Forestry Development Conference, said: “The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has always contended that whenever it is applicable soil and water conservation should be the first purpose of forest management. Because this is so, we have advocated the retention of native bush on all' areas subject to erosion, and this is a policy generally endorsed by the Forest Service. “Otherwise timber production would take priority in commercial forests. However, this would not be applicable to areas set aside as parks and reserves under the control of the Department of Lands and Survey.”

Forest Service Holding a Photographic Competition

IN its fiftieth anniversary year, 1969, the New Zealand Forest Service is offering prizes for photographs of subjects related to forestry or the forest industries.

Photographers are invited to enter their pictures in a competition, from the results of which the Forest Service hopes to obtain pictures it can use for displays, for illustrating its calendar and its publications, and for other purposes. There is a possibility that

some entries may find a place at Expo 70 in Japan.

There will be two classes in the competition -black and white prints and colour prints. Prizes for each class will be $lOO, $5O, and $25. Entries close. on 31 March.

Copies of rules and entry forms are available from the Publicity Section, New Zealand Forest Service, Private Bag, Wellington.