Our Vision

Our immediate goal is to raise the funds necessary to purchase this land and bring it under the stewardship of our non-profit society. But what then?

Our vision is inspired by the tenets of our Society, which were drafted with a view to countering the long term, deep-rooted issues at the core of this situation. Our actions arise out of a deeper and larger concern, the destruction of the vital systems that support life on the planet. Forests are an essential part of the earth’s processes.

By now it is widely evident that humanity as a whole is walking a path of earth destruction and eventual self-extinction. It is urgent and necessary for us to find ways to bring our activity back in-line with the earth’s natural processes. Friends of Redtail Society challenges the dominant assumption that nature is a “resource” and that environmental destruction is necessary because our current economic structures depend upon it.

When we are successful in closing the purchase and sale agreement with Wagner Forest NS in December of 2009, this land will forever be protected and subject to the tenets of our Society.  As an organization, we wish to support the re-emergence of the idea that we can live in better harmony with earth’s processes, that we can demonstrate a balance between the needs of human and non-human communities and that our lives can support, not degrade life on the planet.

 

A Forest of Possibilities

At this time our ideas for this land are provisional and will no doubt evolve; but always, in keeping with principle of supporting biodiversity.  Nonetheless, the general conditions of the 3 lots, which comprise the 313 acres, suggest some possibilities

Lot #1 is heavily forested. The trees are multi-aged containing a natural Acadian mix of hard and softwood species. On this lot we might consider appropriate usage of selected trees and other forest growth with a view of supporting small, locally owned, value-added businesses.
Lot #2 was partially cleared in the 1980s and is in various stages of re-growth. Its open areas are well suited to the educational and outreach tenets of our Society. Some possibilities might include an education site for demonstrating a model of low impact sustainable living, a site from which to lead educational demonstrations or tours of the land or a community a gathering place.
Lot #3 is the most remote of the 3 lots. A good portion of this land has had little or no impact. Where this is the case, our intention would be to maintain it as such.  This lot is best suited to pure preservation.