Old forests, young people: an investigation into the old-growth forest values of young Nova Scotians

Young people have historically been underrepresented in environmental management efforts but can provide unique viewpoints, especially considering their experiences of climate change anxiety. To investigate these viewpoints in relation to old-growth forest, interviews were conducted with 20 young people residing in Nova Scotia. Participants were between the ages of 18-30 and included both rural and urban Nova Scotians. Participants were asked questions relating to their old-growth forest knowledge, values and awareness, as well as experiences of climate anxiety. Findings were then compared with an old-growth forest values framework developed in Nova Scotia in 2008. Key findings include the identification of climate change related values as an additional category to the 2008 framework and the appreciation displayed for non-material old-growth forest values by young Nova Scotians.