Learn About Forest Ecology
A Guide For Taking Action: Part 4
Learning About Forest Ecology
As you learn about forest ecology, we invite you to explore different ways of learning and knowing. Guide your learning with the understanding that you are part of nature; that all the elements outside of your door are interconnected with each other and with you. You can learn about these connections (our “forest relatives”) in an infinite number of ways. You may feel most comfortable learning from other human beings or through written materials. We invite you to also learn from the forest itself by getting outside and spending time with the plants, animals, soil, water and air.
Here are a few resources to get you started:
Queens University has a great website that talks about Indigenous Ways of Knowing, with links to other helpful information.
Do you know someone who can help you learn about forests? Ask them if they will visit the forest with you with the intent of learning together about what is happening. Starting with someone you know achieves two things: first, deepening a relationship that may enrich your life and your work; and second, learning in a hands-on way.
If you prefer reading materials, we recommend these:
“BC’s Old Growth Forest: A Last Stand for Biodiversity” by Karen Price, Rachel Holt and Dave Daust (2020) shows how little old-growth forest is left in B.C. This report defines “old-growth” and describes why old forests are important.
“Intact Forests, Safe Communities” by Peter Wood (2021) outlines the link between forests, logging and climate change.
Sierra Club BC’s Ecomap documents some of our non-human relatives and the geographic locations where they live.
“Seeing the Forest Among the Trees” (1991) is a book by forester and ecologist Herb Hammond. Chapter 1, “What are forests?” provides a well-rounded description of forest ecology. Check this out from your local library.
“The exceptional value of intact forest ecosystems” (Watson et al, 2018) is a peer reviewed article discussing the importance of forests on a global scale.
As you read through these materials, consider taking regular walks through the forest you are concerned about and think about how your new knowledge applies to your local area.
If you prefer to watch webinars:
Try searching “forest ecology webinar BC” and you will find many recorded webinars specific to different regions of B.C. Kootenay Conservation Program has a great webinar series with topics that can be applied throughout the province: https://kootenayconservation.ca/winter-webinar-series/
You can also explore our extensive webinar library here: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/category/topics/webinars/
Children and their caregivers might appreciate Sierra Club BC’s education resources page. There are dozens of resources to help children and their nurturers learn about the environment around them: https://sierraclub.bc.ca/education/
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