FOREWORD 



The Annual Report of the Minister is a review of the activi- 

 ties of the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests during 

 the latest fiscal year completed. For both the present term 

 and preceding years, additional detail is reported in "Statis- 

 tics, 1971" which is released concurrently. 



As this volume takes the form of a collection of annual 

 reports by the Department's numerous subdivisions, it 

 seems pertinent to note that these represent the consider- 

 able variety of the Department's responsibilities and the 

 raany duties discharged with the same over-all aim. This 

 common aim is summarized in the Department's goal 

 statement: 



To provide from Crown lands and waters, and to encourage 

 on private lands and waters, a continuing combination of 

 renewable resource production and outdoor recreation op- 

 portunities most consistent with the social and economic 

 well-being of the people of Ontario. 



Renewable resource production refers to the production of 

 plants and animals for industrial or commercial purposes. 

 General examples are timber, fur and the commercial catch 

 of fish. Agricultural production is not included. 



Outdoor recreation opportunities refers to all recreational 

 pursuits commonly associated with the natural environ- 

 ment and commonly believed to contribute to the physical 

 health and mental well-being of the people who enjoy 

 them. In keeping with the Department's aim, the term is 

 interpreted broadly to include cultural activities concerned 

 with the understanding of natural history and the Ontario 

 environment. The opportunities include sport, relaxation, 

 observation and study. 



Combination refers to the multiple use of renewable, 

 natural resources. The concept of multiple use, or inte- 

 grated resource management, is basic. The demand for a 

 wide variety of goods and services is increasing each year, 

 but our land and water resources are limited. As the single- 

 use concept becomes increasingly difficult, the Depart- 

 ment's aim is to manage more and more areas for a num- 

 ber of uses. 



Continuing refers to the concept of stewardship for future 

 generations. It implies the custody and long-range manage- 

 ment of renewable, natural resources for the benefit of 

 Ontario's people in the future. It also implies the Depart- 

 ment's deep interest in the principles of ecology and their 

 application in the management of the natural environment. 



It is believed that the following pages should be con- 

 sidered in relation to the Department's objectives which 

 have developed from the effort to achieve the over-all goal. 

 At the present time, the Department's specific objectives 

 may be summarized as follows: 



RESOURCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 

 — To provide from Crown lands and waters, and to encour- 

 age on private lands and waters, the optimum, continu- 

 ing contribution of renewable-resource production in- 

 dustries to the economy of Ontario and its communities. 



OUTDOOR RECREATION 

 — To provide opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor- 

 recreation experiences for all the people of Ontario on 

 a day-use basis. 



— To provide opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor- 

 recreation experiences on an economically sound scale 

 for the people of Ontario on an over-night or extended- 

 use basis. 



— To provide continuing outdoor-recreation opportunities 

 for tourism to benefit the economy of Ontario and its 

 communities. 



