Wildwood by Jade Vovers
Misconceptions and misinformation about TLC’s Wildwood Ecoforestry Site continue to spread through various blogs and websites. It is disappointing that such misinformation would be copied and spread from blog to blog without any attempt to check facts or verify the validity of the story. TLC was never contacted by any of these individuals to comment on the story or provide details. TLC would like to reiterate our original message setting out the facts about our management of Wildwood.
In recent days there have been stories regarding the Wildwood Ecoforestry Site. These stories, initiated by members of Merv Wilkinson’s family, under Merv’s name, have made several accusations about TLC’s stewardship of the site. Specifically, they have claimed that TLC is not living up to its commitment that this site would be protected in perpetuity as an ecoforestry and educational site, and that, rather, TLC views this site as a park. As evidence of these claims, they point to the fact that TLC has only made one minor cut (of 8 trees) on the site since we took on responsibility. They also claim that TLC is not fully protecting the site, as it has not put a conservation covenant on the property. In response to this, they say that they want to buy back their property.
These stories have, understandably, caused concern among some of our members and others who have supported Merv’s work at Wildwood and want to see it continue. We at TLC are equally upset at the claims and interpretations that are being made, and we hope that the following facts will reassure everyone – including Merv’s family – that TLC is fully honouring its commitments and has only the best interests of Wildwood, Merv and Merv’s legacy at heart.
TLC cherishes and celebrates the work that Merv has accomplished at Wildwood. At every opportunity, with everyone who visits the site, we tell his story, explain his work and show what can be done. Ten years ago, Merv and his wife Anne – along with many community members – were very concerned that after they passed on Wildwood could fall victim to development pressures, and that Merv’s life work would be lost. They approached TLC about conserving the property as an ongoing ecoforestry site and as a demonstration site where the techniques and principles that Merv developed could be documented, researched further and taught to others. In purchasing the site, we made a firm commitment to honour those wishes. That commitment remains as strong today as it was then.
Over the past ten years of our stewardship of the site we have worked closely with Merv. He has been very much a part of the activities on site and in helping us make plans. He would regularly meet with student groups and other visitors – telling his stories himself – until very recently when he became just too frail to continue to do so (he is, after all, 96 years old). Our site manager – also an aspiring ecoforester – has worked with Merv since before Wildwood was purchased, and has spent those years actively learning everything he could from Merv, both about Merv’s approach to ecoforestry and about Wildwood itself.
Fiddleheads at Wildwood. Photo by Jade Vovers
From the outset, and at Merv’s encouragement, we have also worked in partnership with the Ecoforestry Institute. This group of Ecoforestry professionals, led by those whom Merv had inspired and taught, are responsible for the development of the forestry management plan for Wildwood. While the plan itself has only recently been completed, considerable work has been done over the years to develop a forest inventory for the site, and to get to know the site. This plan is the first comprehensive effort to document, quantify and structure the processes and strategies that Merv pioneered. It has been a huge effort, done on a volunteer basis, by dedicated people who have spent countless hours developing it, and we are extremely grateful for their work. Until this work was completed, and with the guidance of the Ecoforestry Institute, we took a very conservative approach to managing the forest – it was felt by the ecoforesters that both the timber supply and the forest health would benefit from us being cautious and proceeding slowly for a few years. Thus, we have only done one small cut (and have taken out a few other individual trees) during the past ten years. That’s not to say there hasn’t been debate and discussion amongst the ecoforesters themselves (including Merv) over the level of cuts that should be done. It’s an inexact science, and it was our decision to proceed carefully until we had the full management plan in place.
But it is very important for everyone to understand that this cautious approach, and the lack of more extensive cutting does not mean, in any way, that our view of the site and its future has changed. It has not.
With respect to the conservation covenant, it is also a matter of timing. Most covenants address and protect the environmental values of the land, and restrict the use and activity on the site to protect those values. In the case of Wildwood – an Ecoforestry Site – the issues to be addressed in a covenant are significantly more complex. While we have had some discussions with potential covenant holders we have not yet worked out details. Also, as the management plan for the site is still being finalized, it makes better sense to wait until this is done before putting a covenant in place. The lack of a covenant does not, inherently put the property at risk. TLC’s ownership and management of the site is by far the greatest level of protection. However, we do want to develop a covenant for this site and will do so with our partners at the appropriate time in the near future.
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And finally, with respect to the request from Merv’s family members to re-purchase the site, we have made it clear to them that this is not possible, even if we wanted to – which we don’t. This matter was first raised with us in January. Our Executive Director and our Board Chair met directly with Merv’s daughter and son-in-law, as well as Merv, and explained to them that because the property was purchased with donated funds, and because there were tax receipts and tax benefits involved, we do not have the legal ability to sell the property to private interests. But, when we take a property under our care, we do have the ethical and moral responsibility to protect that property in perpetuity, to not expose it to undue risk, and to manage it to the best of our abilities according to the expectations of our partners, members and donors.
We have to say that to sell the property (even to Merv’s family) would be a breach of the commitment we made to Merv and Anne and a breach of our responsibility. At 96 and quite frail, Merv himself simply would not be taking care of Wildwood. Its management and its future would pass to others who are not accountable to anyone, and who cannot guarantee the protection of the site or of Merv’s legacy in perpetuity.
We have made it clear to Merv’s family (as it has always been clear to Merv himself) that we very much welcome them to be involved in the ongoing work at Wildwood. It is disappointing that they chose to go the media instead. We continue to welcome their involvement.
When you say that you “tell his story”, “explain his work” and “show what can be done”….this is not what Merv envisioned when he left the TLC in charge of Wildwood. That, simply put – is an interpretive walk in the woods. Merv envisioned and expected the TLC to actively and productively work the forest to CONTINUE demonstrating how it can be done.
In reference to the topic of covenants and protecting Wildwood – you state: “TLC’s owndership and management of the site is by far the greatest level of protection”. If you really believe this to be true – then why are you now, after 10 years, and after public pressure is mounting, starting to move toward a covenant? Unless there is a covenant placed on the title of the property, there really is no protection.
I would like to respond to the comments by Tisha Wilkinson with respect to TLC’s management of Wildwood. Telling Merv’s story, and explaining his work is EXACTLY what Merv envisioned and what he asked us to do. He wanted Wildwood – in addition to being an active, productive ecoforestry site – to be an education site, where his work would be shown and explained and taught to others. That is exactly what TLC is doing. In fact, until very recently, Merv was very much an active participant in this activity – he met directly with thousands of visitors and students and told his story and explained his work himself.
TLC’s statement above explains the difference of opinion between Merv and others about the level of cut that should have been done over the past ten years. As explained, we took a very cautious approach on the advice of the Ecoforestry Institute. It is simply wrong and, I believe, a gross misinterpretation, that Tisha would try and portray this cautious approach as an abandonment of the commitment we made to Merv to continue to operate Wildwood as a working forest. We have made it clear, time and again, that we do now and will continue to honour that commitment.
And finally, with respect to the covenant, Tisha’s comments that we are only now, “after public pressure is mounting, starting to move toward a covenant”, is quite simply wrong and a deliberate misinterpretation of what is written in our statement. TLC always seeks to place a covenant on the properties we own, where it is feasible. This provides additional protection to the site, beyond our ownership and stewardship. It does not mean the site is at risk without it. In the case of Wildwood, we have always intended to place a covenant on site and have had preliminary discussions for some years with potential covenant holders. But, as mentioned, it makes more sense to have the management plan completed before a covenant is developed so that the covenant can be more focused and, therefore, stronger. This is expected soon.
I hope this helps clarify the situation and reassures everyone that TLC is working completely in the best interest of Merv and of Wildwood, and will continue to honour our promises to Merv.
Ian Fawcett
Deputy Executive Director, TLC
That, simply put – is an interpretive walk in the woods. Merv envisioned and expected the TLC to actively and productively work the forest to CONTINUE demonstrating how it can be done.
In reference to the topic of covenants and protecting Wildwood