A 50-Year History of Silviculture on the Hinton Forest 1955–2005: Adaptive Management in Practice
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A 50-Year History of Silviculture on the Hinton Forest 1955–2005: Adaptive Management in Practice by Robert Udell and Peter J. Murphy with Diane Renaud i The Forest History Program of the Foothills Research Institute – By Understanding our past, we shape our future. The Forest History Program at Foothills Research Institute began in 1996 with a project to record the natural and management history of the Hinton Forest and has continued to grow and expand its mandate. The major goal of the program is to provide insight into how events of the past have shaped the landscape, ecology, culture and forest practices of today and how this insight can help inform future policy and practice. Publications in Print The Trans Canada Ecotours Northern Rockies Highway Guide – 2012 by: Fred Pollett with Robert Udell, Pete Murphy and Tom Peterson A comprehensive examination of the landscapes, ecology, geology, forestry and human history of the Northern Rockies region, divided into three chapters, each developed along a major transportation corridor. Mountain Trails – 2008 By Jack Glen The life and times of an early Alberta forest ranger, told in his own words. Drawn to the foothills of Alberta, he lived a life full of adventure and exemplified the spirit of adventure and commitment to forest stewardship that was the hallmark of the Alberta Forest Service rangers in the 20th century. A Hard Road to Travel – 2007 by Peter Murphy with Robert Udell, Robert Stevenson and Tom Peterson An in-depth look at the remarkable human and ecological history of west central Alberta from prehistoric times to the arrival of large-scale industrial forest management in 1955. The authors trace the changing relationships between people and forests as humans first traveled through west-central Alberta, then stayed on to struggle, survive and eventually flourish – first despite the forest, then in harmony with it. 150 photos, 27 maps The Resilient Forest – Looking Beyond the Stumps – a 35 Year Retrospective on a 1970s Environmental Campaign - 2007 By Bob Stevenson, Steve Ferdinand and Bob Udell In 1971, the environmental organization Save Tomorrow – Oppose Pollution –i.e. STOP – examined North Western Pulp and Power’s Hinton forestry operations. It’s highly critical and controversial report made headlines in Alberta. 35 years later, the authors examine the assertions and predictions of the 1972 STOP report. Learning from the Forest – 2003 By Robert Bott, Peter Murphy and Robert Udell This book examines the antecedents, scientific basis for and the evolution of the forest management program on the West Fraser Hinton Forest. “This is an important account of a large forest area… It is a first in Canada and is a major illustration of what can be accomplished by professional forest managers when provided with continuous support for their endeavours…” Ken Armson, former Chief Forester, Province of Ontario. Other Publications – visit www.foothillsresearchinstitute.ca ii A 50-Year History of Silviculture on the Hinton Forest 1955–2005: Adaptive Management in Practice by Robert Udell and Peter J. Murphy with Diane Renaud Dedicated to the memories of Hinton foresters: Chief Forester Desmond I. Crossley (1910–1986) and Forestry Manager David J. Presslee (1952-2000) iii Copyright 2013 Foothills Research Institute All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review to print in a magazine or newspaper, or broadcast on radio or television. In the case of photocopying or other reprographic copying, users must obtain a Foothills Research Institute licence from the Canadian Copyright Licencing Agency. P.O. Box 6330 1176 Switzer Drive Foothills Research Institute gratefully acknowledges the financial support given to Hinton, AB this project by the Alberta Department of Environment and Sustainable Resource T7V 1X6 Development. Canada 1-780-865-8330 Foothillsresearchinstitute.ca Maps by Foothills Research Institute DISCLAIMER Front Cover: The views and statements expressed in this report are those Udell, Robert 1943- and Murphy, Peter 1930- of the authors and should not be A 50-Year History of Silviculture on the Hinton Forest 1955–2005: construed as statements, Adaptive Management in Practice conclusions, or expressed opinions of the Foothills Research Institute Dedicated to the memories of Hinton foresters: or of its partners or sponsors. Chief Forester Desmond I. Crossley (1910–1986) and Forestry Manager David J. Presslee (1952–2000) Electronic Publication by the Foothills Research Institute Includes bibliographical references Design by Robert Udell Edited by Patricia Buchanan Foreword by Peter Murphy ISBN 978-1-896585-04-8 (electronic text) iv Table of Contents Foreword by Dr. Peter J. Murphy...........................................................................................................1 Acknowledgements................................................................................................................................3 Introduction............................................................................................................................................4 1 Silviculture: Overview and Historical Backdrop.................................................................................5 1. A Brief Overview of the Hinton Silvicultural Program ...................................................................5 2. Historical Backdrop......................................................................................................................12 3. What’s in a Name?.......................................................................................................................18 2 Early Days in Forestry: 1955–1964 .................................................................................................20 1. Historical Context ........................................................................................................................20 2. Forest Policy and Planning...........................................................................................................20 2.1 Inventories.............................................................................................................................22 2.2 Management Planning ..........................................................................................................24 3. Ground Rules ...............................................................................................................................25 4. Forest Operations........................................................................................................................26 5. Silviculture Program: Reforesting for Sustained Yield.................................................................28 5.1 Choice of Reproduction Method: Clear-cutting ....................................................................30 5.2 Regeneration "Naturally" ......................................................................................................33 5.3 Site Preparation for Reforestation ........................................................................................34 5.4 Meeting the Reforestation Standards on All Cutovers..........................................................36 5.5 The Camp 1 Challenge ...........................................................................................................38 5.6 Paying the Cost of Reforestation...........................................................................................39 6. Research Initiatives: The Role of Science in Silviculture..............................................................41 6.1 Research by the Company.....................................................................................................41 6.2 Research by the Canadian Forest Service..............................................................................42 6.3 The Stelfox Study...................................................................................................................43 6.4 Canadian Wildlife Service Research .......................................................................................45 3 Advances in Planning and Reforestation, 1965–1973.....................................................................46 1. Historical Context ........................................................................................................................46 v 1.1 Quota System ........................................................................................................................47 1.2 Revised Forests Act................................................................................................................48 1.3 Environment Council of Alberta Review................................................................................48 2. Forest Policy and Planning...........................................................................................................48 3. Forest Operations........................................................................................................................48 4. Silviculture Program ....................................................................................................................49 4.1 A New Silviculture Planning System, 1965