conservation
...astrophic to mankind. There are many ways in which we can conserve our natural rainforests, and thus partly ensure our survival on earth. Two of these ways are through education of mankind on just how much we need the rainforests and what they can do to save them and through mass reforestation. Without a complete understanding of the problems facing the planet in terms of its environment, mankind is not going to last for long. People must understand why they should recycle, how they can reduce air pollution, what they can do to lessen their own individual destruction of the earth. It is also important that environmental education be correct and must relate to the person doing the learning. In order for environmental education to be effective, it must be both comprehensible and applicable to the learner. Such awareness may be the only option that exists that can make a difference in saving and renewing the earth's diminishing natural rainforests. Such education must be fully taught so that the student can understand the inter-relatedness of all aspects of the environment, including his or her role in it. Once a person understands that all life on earth, not just human life, is dependent on the environment, it is no longer possible to dismiss the planet simply somewhere to live for humans to treat as they will. The best time to begin such environmental education and awareness is with children. Children must begin to learn at an early age that respect for the earth and its environment and all of its inhabitants is a necessary part of life. Each person must understand the consequences of his or her actions on the environment. Beginning in the first years of school, children should be taught the processes of life on this planet. Environmental education can truly make a difference and is the most valuable schooling for the future. Reforestation began in Ontario after World War II. What happened was, professional foresters were assigned to an area and became responsible for its well being. Under the Crown Timber Act, long term management was prepared. Then the many steps needed to rebuild a forest began. There are many methods for planning a forest. The simplest method of replanting a forest is to leave it to nature. Reducing competition by eliminating grass, weed or shrubs is another requirement in ensuring a new crop of trees. These will sprout to produce seedlings. Though the weeds were eliminated before, they still grow back, and because of this, poor quality trees will grow. Another method though, is to create a planned forest, where new conifers are grown from seed in a special nursery. "Seeding is a reforestation technique used mainly in the Boreal forest area where fire or logging tends to leave no or very little seeds for growth" (Postel 115). In many cases, planting is the only means of creating a new forest. "Up to 80,000,000 trees are planted annually in Ontario on Crown and private land" (Gradwohl ...