But despite the horror movie scenario, Nova Scotia officials say doing nothing — in some places — may be a viable option for the next spruce budworm infestation. “In some parcels, maybe we shouldn’t do anything, maybe we should just let nature take its course,” said provincial forest entomologist Jeff Ogden. “On other parcels of land that will be used for industry, we might want to protect that area.”
Part of a natural cycle
The small, brown caterpillar is the larval form of the spruce moth. As a caterpillar it eats the needles of firs and spruces, causing defoliation. Spruce borer infestations are part of a natural 30- to 40-year cycle in softwood forests. The last time there was an outbreak was from 1979 to 1987, and Ogden said 2.5 million hectares were affected. Researchers have found that spruce budworm numbers are still low in the province, but work has begun to decide strategies for the next infestation. “In the past, it might have been done solely by government, but now we’ve cast a wide net and have a better idea of what everyone thinks we should be doing to improve Nova Scotia’s forests,” Ogden said. “Not only to protect the industry, but to protect for other values as well.”
Collaborate with other partners
That means working with campgrounds and small business owners and the Mi’kmaw community. Part of the government’s work will be informed by stories collected by the Unama’ki Institute for Natural Resources. “We are trying to talk to older people who may have lived through the previous outbreaks or we want to talk to people who are still using the land for traditional use or for employment purposes today,” said Rory MacNeil, Spruce budworm program co-ordinator for Unama’ ki. National Resources Institute. MacNeill says he is still working to set up interviews with individuals and groups across the province. Work will begin in Cape Breton before moving to the mainland.
