Stoodley Forest- photo by Sharka Todd
Originally posted as a comment on an article about planned logging of the Lapoinya forest in Tasmania.
There needs to a balance between "working forests" and forest reserves preserved near communities for recreation.
Mick, in the comments above, correctly points out the amazing ability of nature to heal itself and regenerate. But as a person who has spent a great deal of time in state and private forests throughout Australia I would have to say it amazes me that almost every square inch of the land has been rolled over and remade by heavy machinery- compacting the soil and generally degrading waterways and land. Only remote and rocky terrain has avoided this treatment.
It's not a question of not longing logging forests but of achieving a healthy balance between areas preserved for recreation and areas open for logging.
And I wish to stress that recreational areas need to be preserved near communities so that the population can enjoy them freely and easily. It's not enough to have reserves 50 or 100km away from population centers. They need to be within easy driving distance (10-20km) and they should be of sufficient size so that you can get lost there and find some solitude.
Sharka Todd
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