• What does Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) mean to you?
  
  
• How can you practice good stewardship on your woodland ?
  
  
• Do you know how to get financial assistance for silviculture on your woodland?
  
  
• Do you voluntarily follow the Code of Forest Practice?

What does Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) mean to you?
Sustainable Forest Management aims at maintaining and enhancing long term health of forest ecosystems, while providing economic, social and cultural opportunities for the benefits of present and future generations. In Nova Scotia, the forest industry contributes nearly $1 billion and creates 16,000 jobs on annual basis, and this accounts for almost 3.6% of provincial GDP. Besides economic benefits, sustainable forest management considers other values and products that the forest provides, including water, soil quality, carbon cycling, wildlife, non-tangible spiritual and social values and many others. Sustainable Forest Management has to ensure a continuous supply of social, economic and environmental values.
There are more than trees in the woods!

How can you practice good stewardship on your woodland ?
By setting appropriate goals and objectives for your woodland and planning and doing activities to meet your goals. By ensuring all activities are done according to best management practices and that wildlife habitat, water quality, and other values are maintained on your woodlot. The DNR recognizes exptional land owners who are committed to good stewardship through the Woodlot Owner of the Year Award. For more information on goal setting and developing a management plan, and also to share and learn from other woodlot owners who are practising good stewardship please visit the following links : http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/extension/woya ,
http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/extension/woodlot/preview/intro/

Do you know how to get financial assistance for silviculture on your woodland?

The 2000 Forest Sustainability regulations require large forestry companies to undertake silviculture work on private lands or contribute to a silviculture fund. To obtain funding contact Registered Buyers, silviculture contractors, woodland owner organizations, and/or NSDNR. For more information please visit the following link: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/wap/default.htm

Do you voluntarily follow the Code of Forest Practice?

The Code of Forest Practice provides direction to forest land owners and operators on forest management practices which lead to sustainable forest management. The Code outlines principles that provide guidance for sustainable forest management on Nova Scotia Crown lands, guidelines for forestry practices, and technical references that are applicable to Nova Scotia. Some practices are now implemented through existing regulations such as the Forest Sustainability Regulations ,and the Wildlife Habitat and Watercourses Protection Regulations. For more information please visit the following link: http://www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forestry/strategy/code/default.htm

Take Care of the Forest, the Forest 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
Woodlot Sector Contact in your local office at: see contact chart

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