Full Podcast: https://lovethenorth.ca/article/260909-when-forest-goes-quiet-what Troy Woodhouse says one of the clearest examples of how public pressure can influence forest management happened last summer. He explains that members of the Stop the Spray movement, along with Indigenous elders and supporters, organized protests and even blocked Highway 11 near Serpent River. According to Troy, the pressure worked: spraying was cancelled in the Spanish Forest and Pineland Forest areas that season. But then something changed. Troy says there was **no similar protest or public rally this year — and the spraying returned.** For him, that demonstrates how important continued public involvement can be. It is not enough for people to raise concerns once and assume the issue has been permanently resolved. Forest management plans continue, decisions continue to be made, and if residents stop participating, protesting, reviewing plans or asking questions, previous practices can simply return. That is why Troy repeatedly stresses public awareness. Many Northern Ontario residents may not even realize they can review forest management plans, comment on proposed activities and raise concerns about herbicide spraying, harvesting methods, wildlife habitat and biodiversity. **Last year there was public pressure — and Troy says the spray stopped. This year the public pressure was not there — and the spray came back.** Whether someone supports or opposes forestry spraying, Troy’s bigger message is difficult to ignore: **If people want a say in what happens on public forests, they have to stay involved. Silence can become permission for business as usual.** #StopTheSpray #NorthernOntario #Forestry #Glyphosate #ForestManagement #Biodiversity #SerpentRiver #PublicInput #Environment #LoveTheNorth