As a third-generation caretaker of his acreage near Castlegar, British Columbia, Quintin Sperling continues his family’s legacy in the forest.
“I’m a certified faller. I’ve done everything related to timber harvesting, logging, road building, firefighting, and silviculture work,” Quintin says. “We also selectively log our property.”
Recently however, Quintin made a decision to leave the industry.
“I’m sick and disappointed with it,” Quintin says.
“I’m a certified faller and in B.C. I’ve done practically everything related to timber harvesting.”WHEN BEING RESPONSIBLE IS OPTIONAL
Growing up on a farm surrounded by mountains, trees, and wildlife drew Quintin to forestry.
“I’ve been an avid hunter since I could walk.”
Quintin has a strong connection to the forests he’s spent his life in, but is tired of seeing them disrespected.
He has seen slash piles and industrial waste left by contractors, logs stolen, and sensitive watersheds damaged.
Quintin is well-connected in the forest industry, and acquaintances confirm his experience is not isolated.
“We’re supposed to own [these forests]. This is our resource,” Quintin says. “But this is the way forestry is done in B.C.”
Quintin has documented forest violations and reported them to compliance officers, but says license holders continue operating without consequences, which frustrates him.
“There’s no excuse for these guys not to do what they’re mandated to do, and it seems that nobody’s holding them to account.”
THE FORESTS BELONG TO US
Quintin supports B.C.’s logging industry, which has provided him with work and continues to employ people now and in the future.
“I’m not anti-logging. I’m a conservationist. I know that logging is a tool, and you have to look after [the forests] like a garden,” Quintin says.
But he wishes decision-makers treated public forests better.
“A lot of have lost their privilege to be in the forest,” Quintin says. “[Timber tenure holders] are going to continue to deplete the resource, it’s going to run out… For future generations, there’s nothing left for them. It saddens me.”
Quintin is not convinced the BC government prioritizes residents’ interests in managing natural resources and believes corporations have overused publicly owned forests, which make up about 95% of B.C.’s timber supply.
“[Logging companies] leave debt, liability and damage to the forest and walk away. It’s gotten worse and worse,” says Quinton. “If local communities could manage the resource themselves, then the value stays in the community.”
Quintin supports a proposed biodiversity and ecosystem health law to improve how B.C. manages its natural resources.
“Put the resource in the hands of the people that are affected by it,” Quintin says. “Then good companies are going to form partnerships with timber holders, private community forests, or First Nations, and we’ll have a reliable, sustainably logged fibre source.”
“Put the resource in the hands of the people that realize the true value of the log.”FOR FUTURE FORESTS AND GENERATIONS
Quintin is a self-described realist, but he still hopes a better way is possible.
“If the government had the courage, they’d rewrite and pass new legislation [that] says ‘if you’re not operating ethically and sustainably, we will pull your timber license.’”
Quintin says this could create a positive future for forestry in B.C. and allow him to return to an industry he can be proud of.
While he has raised concerns privately over the years, Quintin is now ready to speak out and encourage others in the forest industry to do the same.
“There can be a sustainable forest industry that will keep communities and people with a livelihood and a resource. But people are going to have to stand up for their rights.”
“It’s going to take people like you and me to stand up and say ‘enough in enough. That’s what it’s going to take.”