Urban forestry roots at U of T

Re: Can wooden cars save the study of forestry? U of T program potentially faces the axe, April 22 Thanks to Peter Kuitenbrouwer for his excellent article about the plight of the University of Toronto’s 110- year old green corner. While space-age wooden cars alone may not be enough to save the unique and internationally respected program, the truth and a well- informed public ( the ultimate custodians of universities) might.

The claim that there is no demand for forestry grads is not true; just ask the recent graduates from the Master of Forest Conservation program. All found excellent job opportunities with industry, professional associations, government agencies, etc., and some even starting their own businesses.

Or ask Toronto Mayor John Tory about the excellent forestry graduates in his employ, managing Toronto’s tree canopy and transforming this city to one of the most green and livable metropolitan areas in the world. It may not be widely known that the concept of Urban Forestry was “invented” and introduced as a field of study and research by former U of T forestry professor Eric Jorgensen during the 1960s.

Perhaps it’s not an accident that a distinguished international review panel, from the University of California, McGill University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, concluded last year: “The University of Toronto is lucky enough to have not only a Faculty of Forestry with long tradition of being thought leaders, but that is currently held in high regard internationally for its leadership in several of the more dynamic aspects of forestry.”

The central administration should not squander its good fortune by axing a program of excellence. Speaking as a taxpaying member of the public, I feel I am getting good return on my investment in the Faculty of Forestry at U of T.