• What are the Wildlife Habitat & Watercourses Protection Regulations?
  
  
• Why protect wildlife habitat?
  
  
• What is a Special Management Zone (SMZ?)
  
  
• How big is a Wildlife Clump?
  
  
• Why is leaving coarse woody debris important?
  
  

What are the Wildlife Habitat & Watercourses Protection Regulations?Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations came into effect on January 14, 2002, and are designed to protect water quality and to maintain various elements of wildlife habitat on forest harvest sites. These laws are mandatory on both private and Crown lands. These regulations involve leaving Special Management Zones, Wildlife Clumps and Coarse Woody Debris. For more information please visit the following site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/thp/wildl_hab.html

Why protect wildlife habitat?
Generally, forest management is inclusive, and takes care of all forms of life in the forest, including mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians to small microscopic organisms. Wildlife habitat is important in order to provide breeding ,feeding and resting grounds for all living creatures. Wildlife, in all its forms, is an important component of a healthy forest. For more information please visit the following site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/thp/html

What is a Special Management Zone(SMZ)?
Special management Zones(SMZ) also known as green belts or buffer zones, are areas left behind after harvesting to protect the water courses and provide habitat. The regulations require a minimum of 20 meters to be left each side of the stream. For more information please visit the following site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/thp/html

How big is a Wildlife Clump?
By law, a clump should have at least 30 trees, and there should be at least one clump per 8 hectares or part of 8 hectares. Clumps should be located at least 20 meters from the edges of the cut area, and be no more than 200 meters apart. No harvesting is permitted in the clumps. The regulations specifies minimum requirements, you may want to leave larger clumps! For more information please visit the following site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/thp/html

Why is leaving coarse woody debris important?
It is important to leave coarse woody debris since they provide cover for small animals, habitat for insects, lichens and mosses. Coarse wood debris play a vital role in moisture retention and soil improvement and in nutrient cycling. For more information please visit the following site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/wildlife/thp/html

Take care of Nature ,Nature will take care of You!

For more information about the bookmarks and Stewardship programs contact:

Department of Natural Resources
Stewardship and Outreach Services
Phone: (902)424-5444
Toll Free: 1-866-226-7577
email: woodlot@gov.ns.ca

or one of the Regional Extension Coordinators:

Don Cameron, Truro, 902-893 5629
Maurice Comeau, Digby, 902- 245 2164
Tim Bailey, Antigonish, 902- 863 7373