(Town forests is something that gets talked about, but tribal forests? Here’s an interesting conversation that hasn’t hit the radar screen yet – what do you think? – promoted by odum)
See Luke Willard, Nulhegan Abenaki leader, call for the creation of Tribal and Town Forests across Vermont!
Luke Willard, former Chief of the Northeast Kingdom’s Nulhegan Abenaki Tribe, and current Vermont Commissioner on Native American Affairs, spoke in front of a large crowd at the VT Moving Plant rally. Mr. Willard, speaking on behalf of the Nulhegan Abenaki, the VT Sierra Club, and the Our Forests Our Future campaign demanded comprehensive conservation through the creation of new town and tribal forests. Watch this historic speech now!
*On September 24th, 2011, over 1500 Vermonters rallied in the State Capital of Montpelier (population: 7800) to demand action on Climate change, and to support community forests, green (union) jobs, energy efficient homes and buildings, 100% renewable energy, local/healthy food, and green transportation. This was quite possibly the largest environmental demonstration in the history of the Green Mountain State. In addition to the Abenaki, the speakers included Mike Morelli of the Iron Workers Local 7 (in support of green jobs), Governor Peter Shumlin, and US Senator Bernie Sanders. The event was organized by 350Vermont, and was endorsed by the Vermont Sierra Club.
where a management plan for the Town Forest was under discussion. It appears that Nancy Patch devoted a lot time and effort to develop the non-binding plan, but it had languished since it was drafted on the Selectboard’s “to do” list for something like a year!
The conversation among the Selectmen went something like this:
Chair:
“This thing has been on the agenda forever. Why can’t we get rid of it?”
Selectman #2:
“Because we have to take a vote on accepting it.”
Selectman #3:
“Why do we need a management plan? What if we want to cut it all and sell the wood? Will this prevent us from doing that?”
Selectman #2:
“No; it’s just a plan that recommends how it might be best utilized for recreational purposes etc. It is not binding. Ms Patch is highly qualified and put a lot of effort into this and if we ratify it, she will help us to move further at no cost.”
Selectman #3:
“I don’t like it. I don’t see why we need a plan. You get these people in here and all of a sudden you can’t do anything with your own land. I remember…
(goes on and on about the Land Trust, etc. etc. and what he could personally do with all that timber in the Town Forest, the kind of money he could make etc.)
Chair:
“Well, let’s table it for now and move on with the agenda.”
Fortunately, at the next meeting Selectman #2 didn’t show up so they just barely managed to ratify it.