ampsites getting By CRIS LEYKAUF EVERYONE HAD a great time - at that hot dog roast last summer - and when you ran out of fire- wood, that picnic table sure burned well... and so did your tax dollars. Vandalism of forest service pic- nic tables, outhouses and camp- sites is grealer in Terrace than al- most all adjoining areas, says forest service recreation resource officer Bob Childs. - Forestry officials have almost given up trying to maintain a rea- sonable level of service in some loca} forest recreation sites, ‘But as the camping season starts, they will slowly attempt to ‘replace a few picnic tables and toilets, testing what the public’s response might be. We test the waters a lot around here,’? says Childs. In 1992, the Exstew recreation site, between Prince Rupert and Terrace, was destroyed by a large parly. Rather than rebuild the site, . Childs elected to just put in a few toilets. “The toilets survived,’’ he says. ““Qne lost a door, and one got knocked over, but at least the toilets are still there.’’ This summer, provided the toilets remain undamaged, the forest service might put in a pic- nic table. Childs is also asking the public to keep their vehicles on gravel, rather than contribute {o erosion by the river by driving on the sandy banks at Exstew, - The forests ministry plans to upgrade other recreation sites. Three more tables will be placed at the Lakelse River site. At Cle- ments Lake, Childs plans to add four tables and a toilet. At both sites, the additions are actually re- placements of previously vandal- ized material. ‘We find that if we keep the sites upgraded, people tend to look after them better,’ says Childs. He says the public notices small improvements and if the sites are clean, people are less in- clined to vandalize. - Provided money is available, the forest service wiil upgrade trails at Pine Lake, and Bornitc and Maroon mountains. The sec- tion of road that was washed out near the start of the Maroon trail will be replaced by a foot bridge. But the majority of develop- work done to them ment this year will take place at the Red Sands demonstration forest. The site currently has 10 tables and Grepits, and a 1.6km trail accessible to the physically challenged. This summer’s additions in- clude a toilet and two lables, both designed for the physically chal- lenged. Five new campsites will also be developed. The additions to Red Sands alone will cost about $200,000, Childs estimates. In order to pro- tect this investment, and to pre- vent vandalism, the forest service has hired a full time custodian to look after the site, and provide firewood. Despite the improve- ments, the public will continue to camp free of charge. ‘*We provide quite a high level of service for free,’’ says Childs. “We're trying to upgrade our various facilities for the public, but the public has to do their bit.’” If you see someone commilling an act of vandalism at a forest recreation site, or hear of large party being planned al one of these sites, please phone Vandal Watch at 635-5556 or the forest service at 638-5100. Forestry association offers programs for school use EFFECTIVE FOREST education in the classroom hes been the main priority for the B.C. Forestry Association over the past few years, Program development, teacher training and providing guidance for new curriculum guidelines have been major factors. The goal is 10 enable teachers and students at all grade levels to understand the complexities of forest management and the im-_ portance of rational informed de- cisions. In a province thal relics on diverse and often competing resource use, this ability is vilal to 2ist century forest manage- ment. FOREST CHOICES is the forestry association’s newest in- AwidHus 4444 Lakelse Ave,, Terrace itiative. This program is designed for Grades 4 to 10 teachers as a flexi- ble teaching unit for use in the classroom. Through a range of activities, students discover how their own lifestyle relies on use of the forest resources and how, based on background, we all value the forests in different ways. — Throughout the 16 activities, students research, write and role- play projects that require team cooperation and critical. thinking skilis to complete. Ultimately, students will devel- op a mock land-use plan for a forest area to meet the needs ofa local community -As with real life, there is no ‘one-right’ answer, but only com- Husqvarna - at the Cutting Edge Of Technology HUSQVARNA 394XP The Husqvarna 394XP Is a newly developed pro saw, with performance that makes it feel as if it should belong with the true giants of the Husqvarna range. The 394XP has a whole host of truly special features, including extremely low vibration levels and a carburetor mounting that ensures excellent performance and complete reliability. The 394XP is built from the groundup to incorporate every aspect of Husqvarna’s approach to innovation. ‘FOREST & GARDEN . errace Equipment Sales Ltd ws) qvarna 7 plex choices, FOREST CHOICES, as with the many other outdoor youth programs developed by the forestry association, all begin from similar roots. The future users, be it teachers or scout leaders, are responsible for deciding and guiding the de- velopment of each educational resource, As the management of our forest lands is integral to our B.C.’s community lifestyle, forést education concepts are rapidly becoming part of most of B.C. classrooms, For more information on the B.C. Forestry Association and its programs, write to it at — 98D0A 140th Street, Sumey, B.C. V3T 4NS5. 635-6384 The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 4, 1994 - D7 Mwah WE SALUTE... National Forest Week | May 2 -8, 1994 al ‘i ri x i F ‘yi r A stump to dump contractor, harvesting a renewable resource. ALM-WOOD CONTRACTING LTD. 1577 Kenworth 635-2303 John Deere shares your ¢ concern about replanting, Not only because of ecological issues that affect us all, but also for the sake of ensuring an abundance of timber for the loggers of the next century. Wise forest management keeps our industry alive and well. It's one of the things we give careful consideration when we design our forestry machines. For instance, John Deere G-Series Crawlers deliver superb performance where size and flotation are a concern, These crawlers have the lowest ground pressure in their class - a big plus on weaker soil. In selective cutting, the 643D Feller-Buncher's versatile hydrostatic drive and unlocking front-axle differential let your maneuver around without harming trees marked to be left growing. Stop by today and get the facts on John Deere forestry systems, Well help you ‘get the most from each jobsite, from the day the: first mile of road is built till jhe day. the last acre Is replanted. COAST : TRACTOR 635- 7131, JOHN EERE ~ RUN WITH THE BEST” 4650 Kaith Avenue Terrace ©