Speech
Governor’s Conference on the Future of Montana Forests - Closing remarks
Closing Remarks - Governor Martz
Helena
5/14/2002
Thank you. And thank you to Dean Perry Brown of the University of Montana’s School of Forestry for the conference summary.
I look forward to reviewing the full deliberations of the conference when they are published and continue what we have started – to look for ways that bring us together rather than pull us apart.
I want to close this first ever Governor’s Conference on the Future of Montana’s Forests with a couple of important points.
This conference was about the future, not about the past.
It brought together a diverse group of interests and values. Interests and values that sometimes put us at odds with one another.
But I understand that this conference pulled those interests together in a civil, constructive dialogue, and wrestled with some of the bigger issues.
I am hopeful that this conference will be the spring board for further discussion and further direction. All in a civil and respectful dialogue.
And I look forward to continuing this dialogue.
As your Governor, I commit to opening my mind to new ideas, new concepts and new values.
As Montanans one thing we all share is a common bond in this land. It is home. It is where we can and should be able to provide ourselves with sustenance both in terms of financial stability and spiritual stability.
It is time to recognize and acknowledge these lands for the multiple uses they were intended to provide.
From recreation, to job creation.
From protecting the wild, to properly managing for fiber production.
From all points of view and values, we must work together to create AND maintain healthy forests and vibrant economies.
I truly appreciate your willingness to participate in this discussion to forge a vision for the future of our forests.
And there are many notes of thanks to be made for organizing this groundbreaking conference.
I want to recognize again Dr. Peter Kolb and Thorn and Karen Liechty for their tireless dedication to making this conference a success and the steering committee for making this conference a reality.
I believe that there truly can be a balance in forest health interests, and I thank you on behalf of the people of Montana for your dedication to moving this state toward a common vision.
I also would like to thank the speakers, who presented their views on a wide range of values and interests and provided the basis to begin a substantive discussion in the working groups.
Thank you, too, to those of you who are sponsors. Your willingness to put forth financial resources speaks volumes about your true commitment to finding solutions.
And finally – and in many ways, most importantly -- I want to thank all of you, who took time out of your busy schedules to work toward a common goal.
Your participation and input in a constructive manner truly shows that we can work together for the health of our forests, for our families, and for the future of our great state.
As I said yesterday, the world is run by the people who show up. Your interest and commitment to these issues is demonstrated again today.
Thanks again to all who participated, who sponsored and who labored so hard to make these past two days a success.
God bless.
-end-
