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#1
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Einstein and forestry
Last night I was reading a book on astronomy, as part of my "forester
education enhancement". G The book said that Albert Einstein had renounced his German citizenship several years before he left Germany. That took incredible courage. I think those of us who think major changes are need in forestry ought to renounce our citizenship in a phony profession and create a new one entirely. That solves the problem of trying to reform forestry- we abandon it as unreformable- and start over again. It would be a new profession focused on "economically sophisticated ecoforestry". From the beginning it should have very high educational and training standards. The education should begin with an undergrad degree in biology and ecology, then "forestry professional school" comparable to law or medicine or architecture- which will focus on the balance between real forestry economics, long term, based on intelligent analysis of the rate of growth of value- in the context of great silviculture along with due consideration of ecological and economic values not now counted and with full consideration of externalities also not counted. The professional school would include a very serious and deep discussion of ethics and morality. Training would consist of several years work for one or more forestry firms licensed under this new program. Of course we'll have to change the name of the profession to something other than "forester" to show that his is a new profession. Once a person finally gets a license under this new system, they'll be so highly educated and trained that hardly anyone will question their professionalism- they will be seen as the supreme experts. There will be no review of their work by bureaucrats or environmentalists- because they will the ultimate forest environmentalists! And, of course, they're will be no further need for the likes of FSC Certification, which is just another fancy and expensive bureaucracy. Well, I have a right to fantasize, don't I? G |
#2
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Einstein and forestry
Joe Zorzin wrote:
Last night I was reading a book on astronomy, as part of my "forester education enhancement". G The book said that Albert Einstein had renounced his German citizenship several years before he left Germany. That took incredible courage. I think those of us who think major changes are need in forestry ought to renounce our citizenship in a phony profession and create a new one entirely. That solves the problem of trying to reform forestry- we abandon it as unreformable- and start over again. It would be a new profession focused on "economically sophisticated ecoforestry". From the beginning it should have very high educational and training standards. The education should begin with an undergrad degree in biology and ecology, then "forestry professional school" comparable to law or medicine or architecture- which will focus on the balance between real forestry economics, long term, based on intelligent analysis of the rate of growth of value- in the context of great silviculture along with due consideration of ecological and economic values not now counted and with full consideration of externalities also not counted. The professional school would include a very serious and deep discussion of ethics and morality. Training would consist of several years work for one or more forestry firms licensed under this new program. Of course we'll have to change the name of the profession to something other than "forester" to show that his is a new profession. Once a person finally gets a license under this new system, they'll be so highly educated and trained that hardly anyone will question their professionalism- they will be seen as the supreme experts. There will be no review of their work by bureaucrats or environmentalists- because they will the ultimate forest environmentalists! And, of course, they're will be no further need for the likes of FSC Certification, which is just another fancy and expensive bureaucracy. Well, I have a right to fantasize, don't I? G Sounds good Joe. I'm all for it. One good thing about being a consultant in changing times is the need to diversify to keep bread on the table. If there are any foresters out there who are still doing basically the same thing they did fifteen years ago, they don't know how lucky they are. When industrial strength forestry became uncommon around here, management and cutting plans for small owners picked up. That passed too and a lot of new funding appeared for salmon restoration, and then new forest practice rules made riparian zone forestry incorporate a lot of what used to be fisheries stuff. Then "critical areas" became strongly regulated - areas like buffer zones, wetlands and unstable slopes. I had to go back and pick up another degree just to compete with the fresh new grads bidding against me. Plus short courses. Several old buddies picked up degrees in wildlife, planning and fisheries during the same time. That gives most everyone doing this kind of work in this area two or more professional certifications. Throw in working skills with GPS, GIS, surveying, statistics and even (ugh)land use policy, the modern forester/environmental consultant can't help but become a ecologic generalist operating at a fairly high level. There's no job title for that yet other than consultant. |
#3
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Einstein and forestry
Personally, I enjoy answering the "What do you do?" question with
"forest sculptor". "Preservationists" seem to understand art better than science G. Larry PS The Mt Hood job is finished and my bruised legs are thankful. South Dakota/Wyoming is next. |
#4
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Einstein and forestry
Well, Larry, when you and your team come to the Northeast, let us know- we'll tour you around! -- Joe Zorzin http://www.forestmeister.com "Larry Harrell" wrote in message om... Personally, I enjoy answering the "What do you do?" question with "forest sculptor". "Preservationists" seem to understand art better than science G. Larry PS The Mt Hood job is finished and my bruised legs are thankful. South Dakota/Wyoming is next. |
#5
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Einstein and forestry
On Tue, 20 May 2003 08:25:30 -0400, "Joe Zorzin"
wrote: The book said that Albert Einstein had renounced his German citizenship several years before he left Germany. That took incredible courage. Einstein renounced his German citizenship twice and spoke against war throughout the Great War. In 1951, the USA considering revoking his citizenship, on the grounds that his secretary was a communist, not even Einstein himself. Poor reward for such a figure. 8-( |
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