Acadian Forest stewards: A literature critique, book composition, and validation of the book concerning forest ecology and forest management in Nova Scotia

The Acadian Forest is an integral part of the social and economic fabric of Nova Scotia. The forestry industry in Nova Scotia generates over a billion dollars a year (National Forestry Database, 1995). As well, forests are important as part our ecological life support system. Historically, forest management has left the Acadian Forest in poor condition (Swift 1983, DNR 1987-91). Forest Management needs to be improved, especially since increasing pressures on the wood supply are making more intensive management necessary. For example, the Nova Scotia Government plans to double the amount of wood harvested, from 3.9 million cubic metres, by the year 2025 (MacFarlane and MacDonald, 1993). As pressures on the Acadian Forest increase it becomes more and more important to have good educational materials available to our high school students who will be the next generation of foresters and citizens. A comprehensive critique of materials presently available to high school students in Nova Scotia shows that such material is not available in Nova Scotia. Thus I have written a book on forestry and forest ecology in Nova Scotia, targeted at the high school comprehension level. This book focuses on a merging of ecological issues with economic realities. The main themes are: Holistic forestry, Stewardship, Integrated Resource Management and Forestry/wildlife issues. The book is written as a story of a family and their woodlot, as well as a text book on forestry, and forest functions and values. To assess the accuracy of the information presented in the book a validation test was conducted. This test evaluates the information in terms of depth, comprehension, accuracy and style. The result of the validation test is an overwhelming endorsement of the book as an educational tool for high school students.