My pledge! Indigenous People in Wilderness Areas

WILDERNESS AND INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LANDSCAPES IN AUSTRALIA is one interesting link to follow.It includes both values & management.

The value of wilderness areas in general -useful summery can be found here.

There is a potentially facinating case study looking at the Secwepemc First nation people in south east British Colombia, Canada & their conflict with the developers of new ski resorts. It can be found in some detail on this website, however I will summarise it & post the outline on the blog.

Logging, pulp paper mills, transport development & the broad issues of First nation peoples land rights are also illustrated through this case study.

Clayoquot Sound: Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations
In March 1994, the British Columbia government signed an agreement with the First Nations in Clayoquot Sound, the Nuu-chah-nulth people. The agreement fosters new economic opportunities for First Nations in forestry, tourism, and other businesses. It also establishes a joint management board to oversee land use and resource management decisions. Through this board, the First Nations have a direct voice in the management of resources within their traditional territories.
The board is reviewing strategic and operational forestry plans which set out the standards and conditions for timber harvesting in the area. It is empowered to review and recommend modifications to any specific harvesting or road-building application.
In April 1995, the Nuu-chah-nulth and the governments of Canada and British Columbia began public negotiation towards a comprehensive treaty settlement.
In addition, the governments of British Columbia and Canada, and a society representing a partnership of First Nations and other groups with an interest in forests signed an agreement in 1994 to establish a 4,000 square kilometre (1,500 square mile) model forest which encompasses Clayoquot Sound. The Long Beach Model Forest provides British Columbia with an important link to forest managers in the rest of Canada and around the world. It establishes a working model of sustainable forest management to serve as a laboratory for advancing national and international knowledge and practices.

So what research are YOU going to undertake & post? Pledges posted today please!