The first program in the Westland series drew together a panel of senior managers from the marine and inland fisheries and from forests and wildlife. Panelists Bill Young (Chief Forester of B.C.), Don Robinson (B.C. Fish & Wildlife Federation) and Al Wood (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) discussed inventory, allocation, and the need for resource integration.
A report on the longest-running fish/forest study in B.C. at Carnation Creek on the west coast of Vancouver Island. From 1970, researchers have gathered data on the impact on fisheries of clear-cut logging. Data uncovered identified retention of Large Organic Debris--left behind after logging to be of great benefit to fish. Panelists included: Gordon Hartman (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and David Handley (Macmillan Bloedel Ltd.).
Ways in which forest harvesting activity can and must be integrated with fish, wildlife and other resource values is discussed with spokespeople from natural resource agencies. Panelists included: John Cuthbert (B.C. Forest Service), Don Charlton (B.C. Wildlife Federation) and Forbes Boyd (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). Ways in which forest harvesting activity can and must be integrated with fish, wildlife and other resource values is discussed with spokespeople from natural resource agencies. Panelists included: John Cuthbert (B.C. Forest Service), Don Charlton (B.C. Wildlife Federation) and Forbes Boyd (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). Ways in which forest harvesting activity can and must be integrated with fish, wildlife and other resource values is discussed with spokespeople from natural resource agencies. Panelists included: John Cuthbert (B.C. Forest Service), Don Charlton (B.C. Wildlife Federation) and Forbes Boyd (Fisheries and Oceans Canada). Ways in which forest harvesting activ
This is a B.C. Forest Service film on intensive forestry techniques such as thinning, plus-tree seed gathering, fertilization and the need to concentrate management effort on sites of highest productivity.
Panelists from the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and Forest Service, discuss the topic of wilderness as a vital land use. A guest panelist is Colleen McCrory, a wilderness advocate from the Kootenays. Panelists from the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and Forest Service, discuss the topic of wilderness as a vital land use. A guest panelist is Colleen McCrory, a wilderness advocate from the Kootenays.
This film was made by Mike Halleran for the forest service and talks about the use of prescribed fire as a management tool for forestry, wildlife and livestock grazing.
The role of habitat protection in fish and wildlife management is discussed by provincial biologists in fish and wildlife agencies.
Largest but least abundant of our five salmon is Chinook (spring) salmon. It is highly prized by sport, Native and commercial fishers and the biggest cause of its decline is over-fishing. A fisheries scientist from Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada) talks about the behavior, biology and decline of this large salmon.
Produced over a period of a year, this documentary tells how a small rod and gun club (the Semiahmoo R & G) undertook and completed the task of buying a large block of land on the Campbell River (in White Rock), restored the natural spawning habitat and then built a Steelhead and salmon hatchery. It includes a classroom to which hundreds of school children come each year. The hatchery is staffed 24-hours a day by rod and gun club volunteers.
A highliner is a fisher whose catches are consistently in the top few percent. Byron Wright is a highliner who started as a deck hand in the 1940's and is now the millionaire owner of several high-performance seine boats. Mike Halleran wrote and narrated this film for the National Film Board of Canada.
A wildlife biologist, a game guide and a wildlife research scientist discuss recreational hunting in B.C. Telephone discussion provides lively public input. The wildlife scientist tells the audience that hunted species are holding steady or increasing in B.C. and that none of the endangered species is hunted.
All resource managers pass through the hands of a wide assortment of teachers during their years at tech. schools or university. Three teachers from UBC, specializing in forestry, soil science and fisheries talk about the continued need to keep technical and emotional considerations separate when debating or considering resource decisions.
The most dangerous and highest paid job in the forest industry is that of the faller. Fallers usually work alone and as many as one-per-month is killed in B.C. This program features a National Film Board film on fallers - and a studio interview with the director - himself a former logger.
This documentary is based on a now prophetic speech by Wayne Shinners (then) Director General of Department of Fisheries and Oceans (Canada), the agency responsible for salmon management in B.C. Shinners warns that overfishing by all sectors is sure to threaten salmon numbers - being a far greater threat than damage to habitat. Many of the warnings sounded by Mr. Shinners have not been heeded in the 14 years since this program was made. The film also draws on recommendations of the Commission on Pacific Fisheries Policy headed by UBC Resource Economist Dr. Peter Pearse.
Fifteen spokespeople from the forest and fisheries sector discuss the decades long debate about fish habitat. It is noteworthy that many of the principles had never met until Westland brought them together for this forum. Despite the opposite thrust of their special interests there is tacit agreement that integrated resource management and not media sensationalism or protest is the key to getting sustained yield from both resources.
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.
For a long time, communications between director-level people in resources agencies was very poor. WestLand puts several such people on the same program, beginning a contact that often continues afterward.
This conference brought people from all over the Skeena basin to discuss the future of a controversial but still abundant fishery. Lots of good pictures of fish and people.
Gordon Fish was a cameraman who shot film in some of the most rugged parts of B.C. In this National Film Board (NFB) production he finds and photographs wildlife living in the city including coyotes, raccoons and deer.
In this episode (part one of two) angler John Massey offers a series of lessons on how to tie flies for fishing. Between lessons there is film of fly-fishing alongside words from author Roderick Haig-Brown.
In this episode (part two of two) angler John Massey continues with his lessons on how to tie flies for fishing. Includes film of fly fishing on B.C. lakes, alongside thoughts on fishing from author Roderick Haig-Brown.
Jim Walker, Director of Wildlife in the Ministry of Environment is interviewed. He updates viewers on B.C. endangered species, poaching, road kills (of wildlife by vehicles) etc. Some nice wildlife pictures and some gory shots of animals killed by trucks and cars.
First part of this program is a National Film Board (NFB) profile of Robert Bateman. The balance is the start of a habitat restoration program in Tilbury Slough on the Fraser delta. Infilling and draining of wetlands has cost much fish and waterfowl habitat and this is an attempt to get something back.
Guests from Ducks Unlimited illustrate how the NASA "landsat" system is being used to identify former, present and potential waterfowl habitats in North America. The data is being used to coordinate habitat projects continent-wide.
Buying land for wildlife may seem a strange initiative when so little of the province is private land. But some of that is critical to some populations. Governments are unwilling to fund this work and so various funding bodies - often made up of hunting and angling clubs - are raising money to secure critical habitats.
Three times in a century this race of sockeye salmon has been driven almost to extinction. Mining and construction were the cause. But each time, the population was rebuilt by the few remnant survivors. The incredible natural resilience of the salmon accounts for this survival epic and is a hopeful sign for the future.
Small streams in the southern part of B.C. are often fished out quite quickly and are hard to build up again. This program looks at techniques for doing so and an allocation system that affords good recreational fishing without having to deplete the resource. Director of Fisheries David Narver is interviewed. Topics include setting aside some waters for fly fishers only and an update on the time-worn problem of Steelhead being intercepted by the commercial net fisheries. In the picture portion, 10-year old "Jonathan" lands a 24-lb. Steelhead on the Skeena River. Note: this program was rebroadcast as Program 9 in 1987.
Another program based on the latest WestLand conference. The topic is intensive forestry and the environmental impacts that may result from its application. Speakers include people from government agencies, industry and citizen environmental groups.