Guides for family-owned woodlots: Five Family Woodlot Guides will be developed as an introduction to woodlot management planning, pre-commercial thinning, plantation establishment, commercial thinning and forest harvesting. They will be available in January, 2012 and available at all Department of Natural Resources offices. The guides are being developed by David Sutherland.
Introduction to Forest Management Workshop: A series of workshops consisting of one-day indoor discussions and one-day woodlot tours will be organized at the beginning of 2012. Subjects will include: the language of forest management, forest ecosystem classification, forest certification, the code of forest practice, management plans, un-even aged forest management, markets and value-added products, regulations, species at risk, Acadian forest restoration, forest health, and information about different resources and groups in the province. For more information about this event, please contact Benna Keoghoe at 902 682 2371 or benna.keoghoe@merseytobeatic.ca .
Three operational field days: Three one-day field days on private woodlots will be provided in the counties of Annapolis, Lunenburg, and Queens. Topics covered will include: introduction to the code of forest practice, uneven-aged management principles, vegetation and soil type classification demonstration, review prescription rationale against ecosystem classification and land owner objectives, best management practices, crop tree release, pruning, and a selection harvesting demonstration. These events will be lead by Royce Ford and Dan Pittman. For more information about these events contact Royce Ford at 902-682-2917 or 902-521-8361 or at crtrees05@yahoo.ca or Dan Pittman at 902 640 2005 or 902 541 0894, dan@freyaforestry.com
Two woodlot walks to help woodlot owners manage their woodland:
1) The first woodlot walk introduced woodlot owners and contractors to woodlot ecology and basic principles of ecosystem based forest management. The walks included a discussion on identifying forest conditions how to use the new Forest Ecosystem Classification Manual for Nova Scotia. Key questions answered were: How do I know what species are suitable to grow on certain sites? How do I recognize growth potential? How do forests succeed from early to late stages of development? How do I recognize past human-caused and natural disturbances?
2) The second woodlot walk focused on planning to operate a woodlot and using partial harvest methods appropriately and cost effectively. Questions answered included: How do I put the Forest Ecosystem Classification manuals to practical use? What can I do to improve long-term site productivity? What are regenerating and tending activities? How can natural disturbance patterns and processes of natural mortality be mimicked through partial harvesting? How can I take advantage of available silviculture subsidies to help meet management objectives? Attendees will "learn by doing" by marking trees for harvest or retention and giving consideration to both regenerating and tending forest stands. For more information, contact Patricia Amero of Picea Consulting at 902 527 1222 or picea.forestry@ns.sympatico.ca
An Introduction to the Nova Scotia Forest Ecosystem Classification Manual:
A Powerpoint presentation will be developed on how to use the new Forest Ecosystem Classification, or FEC, manual in the field. It will focus on: what a forest contains, what kind of condition it is in, what its key complexities and aspects are, and what could be done to improve conditions. Topics covered will include: reasons for using the FEC manual, overview of how the manual is organized, vegetation types, soil types, and ecosites. The presentation also will be available on our Department of Natural Resources website.
Annotated Guide to Resources:
A guide is being developed to resources that will help Nova Scotia woodlot owners and other forest workers to manage the natural forest and ensure the benefits gained from our forests are maintained. It will include resources that are easily and inexpensively obtained. It will list contact information to people and organizations that can provide information on topics such as: forest ecosystem classification and forest management based on eco-systems, selection harvesting and low-impact logging, Acadian Forest restoration strategies, natural succession and ground vegetation in the Acadian Forest tree, as well as information about soils, riparian areas, and wetlands. The guide is being developed by Picea Forestry and will be available in early 2012. For more information, contact Simon Mutabazi, at Department of Natural Resources: (902) 424 -5444.
Land owner conferences:
Attendees will hear from experts and woodland owners on woodland issues, learn about resources that help increase understanding about managing woodlands sustainably. The conferences are being held on March 3rd 2012 at Digby Regional High School, on March 31st in Elmsdale, and March 24th at St. Joseph Community Centre in Antigonish.
Youth engagement: Grades 4 to 6 students will learn about Nova Scotia forest ecosystems and management through on-site visits to woodlots and forests and through classroom activities. Skills learned will meet curriculum outcomes for many subjects, including Math, Science, Health Living, English and Social Studies. The youth engagement projects will be coordinated by Morgan MacDonald.