On 12 August 1995, Richard Fox wrote: >Dear Forestry Colleagues, > >I wanted to generate discussion with my original preliminary >information on the Eden Device.... I seem to be accomplishing that. Your views pretty >much reflect my own deliberations. I too am concerned about trying to alter desert >ecosystems, about the impact on downwind locations etc. I have put this out for >discussion to identify other potential problem areas. I have been involved in >reforestation for over 22 years. I have supervised the planting of over 27 million >US trees and have worked with non-profits that have planted over 21 million >additional trees internationally. I know statistics vary, but I accept >that we are losing about 70 acres of forest every minute... This is hard on a man >who has spent most of his adult life working on treeplanting projects. I want >to see additional treeplanting and I unrepentently promote new and old groups >to do more but to do in conjunction with the lessons that have already been >learned. >I very much believe in sustainability and environmental sensitivity. > >The Eden Device has possibilities. I am skeptical too and that is why >I am working to get field condition testing done in six African countries. ------------------ Three necessaries for tree survival in Sahelian conditions: 1) Creation of small catch basins around individual tree seedlings (whether planted, seeded or naturally regenerated); 2) Exclusion of browsing livestock, particularly goats from regenerating areas for a period of time; and, 3) Enforceable community or individual property rights in the regenerated forest. The first two are possible with community support and few, if any, outside inputs. The third requires institutional change, but is likely to have the most "sustainable" impact. I've seen (and occasionally tested) many high-tech proposals for the "reclamation of the desert." They all fail because they: cost too much; are imported; and cannot be implemented by villagers without massive, long-term subsidies. The best techical solutions to the problem of desertization are cheap and local. The ultimate political solution to land degradation in Africa (in the former French colonies in particular) is to abolish the forest codes that make native trees species the property of the state-- and to disband the paramilitary forest services that terrorize villagers in the name of "protecting the forest heritage." If local people don't have a stake in the restoration of *their* land, initial success (with high-tech "solutions" or otherwise) becomes eventual failure. ------------------ >I see many possible applications for this device..and know that every use of it will not keep >everyone happy. I too am skeptical, but want to promote new approaches if they > work. There are many places where this device might serve well. Stopping >desert encroachment, providing arid zone reforestation where trees once prospered, >etc. etc. > >As a long time reforestation person facing a massive population >expansion in the next 50 years, I have to categorically state that while we are >winning individual battles...we are losing the war to maintain our global forests. >We need new tools and more interested people active on many different fronts. >Maybe the Eden Device will be one of them... I will be there to observe >its real performance and will let all of you know details as they develop. I find >ALL of your comments helpful... > >Now ..... who else has something to add or some development/testing >suggestions??? > >Richard Fox >President >Global Resource Consultants > > >Sorry for the formatting problems..new computer and software and the >upload process is not living up to my expectations... I hope the Eden >Device does better... > RWFox > Donald Mansius Augusta, ME
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