Tracy Glynn is an activist from the Miramichi who currently resides in Fredericton, where she works as the Acadian forest campaigner with Canada’s second oldest environmental organization, Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Her volunteer advocacy work, which is focused primarily on eradicating Canadian mining abuses overseas and at home, is rooted in her time spent at mine-affected communities in Indonesia and her academic background on mine pollution.
Q: What is the current state of New Brunswick’s forests?
A: The Acadian forest of New Brunswick and the Maritimes known for its spectacular diversity, especially during the colourful fall foliage, has been designated an endangered forest by the World Wildlife Fund. At the heart of this endangerment is overcutting and conversion of the natural forest to plantations by the forestry industry.
During 2006-2007, timber harvested from public land reached a record high at 5.2 million cubic metres according to the Department of Natural Resources. Only three corporations currently hold licences over all of New Brunswick’s public forest.
Q: Is there clear-cutting taking place? What about reforestation programs?
