Save Our Old Forests: A Conversation with Rob Bright

Shared Ground

On March 25th, a campaign launched in Bridgetown in Nova Scotia (within Mi'kma'ki) called Save Our Old Forests (SOOF). As is written in their excellent pamphlet: "Saving old forests in Annapolis County is something we can do locally that will have a global effect." and "We need to protect the best of what is left, for the health of nature, yes, but for our health, too, and for the health of our economy." Find out more about the SOOF through this episode, which includes some clips of the recordings from the speakers at this standing-room-only event, and features a conversation afterwards with a spokesperson for the campaign, Rob Bright.

Hear about the story and evolution of a small group of people finding solutions, and about the actions we can each take as individuals to make a difference for the health of our forests. Join us in contemplating the ownership and management of "crown land" and some root causes and challenges behind our current forest crises.

Rob Bright spent the early part of his career working with street youth in downtown Toronto before becoming a social researcher studying harm reduction with injection drug users. After several years Rob switched things up and went to chef school. It was there that he found a passion in following food from farm to table, and learning about where food comes from. Rob and his wife, Laura, made the move to Hampton, on the North Mountain, in 2018 to follow their dream of growing and raising their own food. Once the gardens were built and the hens started laying, Rob turned his attention to the clearcutting that is hidden not far from the side of the roads. He became involved with a small group of concerned neighbours to help raise funds to save a forest on Arlington Road. This evolved into the Arlington Forest Protection Society of which Rob is the current Vice-President.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

Save Our Old Forests website , Facebook and Instagram

hashtag #saveouroldforests