Westland

This program marks the beginning of an "annual report" on the state of our most valuable natural resources. For a number of years following, the series devoted at least one program to an updating of inventory information or "best guesses" as to how various resources were being sustained. Guests talk about "the falldown effect" in which a drop in cut is likely as high volume old growth stands are replaced by second growth which may have a lower volume per hectare.

Organized jointly by Westland and the B.C. Wildlife Federation, this day-long conference discussed opportunities for and the state of integrated resource management in the Caribou/Chilcotin region. Speakers are drawn from the naturalists, hunters, anglers, loggers and resource managers from federal and provincial agencies.

Another update on the state of a renewable resource in B.C. Last year's report on Chinook salmon is updated. Increasing tension between salmon usergroups is noted, particularly on the Skeena River where Native food fishermen have been arrested for selling salmon in contravention of existing law.

Amid the furor over salmon allocation (who shall fish?) the question of salmon habitat is still ongoing. All sides agree that even if catch allocation is ever decided, habitat concerns will still require continuous attention. Head of the DFO habitat section takes WestLand on a "walk" around the Fraser River pointing to various ongoing habitat concerns.

In addition to a huge salmon resource B.C. has an abundant and valuable inland sport fishery. Three guests from the management, academic and sport fish sectors discuss the state of inland fish stocks in B.C. noting the sharp decline in Steelhead stocks. Location film of fish transplants, egg takes, stocking and other techniques of modern management.

Critical wildlife habitat is often privately owned. Securing management rights may require purchase of this land. Program guests report on the many purchases of such land to secure wildlife habitat. Such purchases amount to many millions of dollars in the last few years.

More technical school graduates than university trained professionals are now involved in much of the hands-on field work in all resource sectors. Teachers from Selkirk, Malaspina and BCIT talk about courses offered, enrollment numbers and employment prospects.

This author and conservationist has published 24 books over the years and has also been the subject of several film profiles. Mike Halleran did two of these during his time at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) (prior to Westland). With hands-off becoming a visible presence in resource extraction debates, the most recent film on Haig-Brown (he died in 1979) presents a credible reiteration of the old use-but-don't-abuse philosophy that was the main theme of his life's work.

Ray Demarchi is one of B.C.'s most respected and colorful wildlife biologists. This program profiles him - giving rare insight to the work and philosophy of a practicing wildlife scientist and manager.

Stellers and California sea lions are both present in B.C. waters. Since they were protected, numbers have risen dramatically. The program also comments on the use by sea lions of herring as a food source.

In response to sharp declines in fish populations, WestLand convened this conference in Nelson. Two generations of fishery managers report on low nutrient levels in the lake and the outcome of planting fresh water shrimp in the lake in 1949. The idea of lake fertilization is discussed along with the connection between fish declines and recent dam-building.

Another studio forum discussing the need to integrate resource activity within sectors as well as between them. Again, it was found that many participants had only met in media coverage prior to taking part in the WestLand forums or conferences. Some of the statements made now seem a prophecy of the state of tension that exists in resources discussion today.

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is the oldest and largest (then) citizen conservation group in B.C. This program describes the difference in lobby methods between the traditional conservation advocates and the much more militant campaigners encountered today. The Federation's excellent record of combining lobby campaigning with hundreds of hands-on conservation projects has become a source of pride to its more than thirty thousand members. Note: this program was rebroadcast as Program 12 in 1986.