Nominations Open for Woodlot Owner of the Year

Nominations for Nova Scotia's woodlot owner of the year award are being accepted by the Department of Natural Resources. The deadline for submitting nominations is Jan. 31.

Any resident of Nova Scotia who owns between 20 and 400 hectares (50 to 1000 acres) of woodland and who agrees to host a public education and information field day on their woodlot is eligible for the annual award.

"There are many positive changes happening on private woodlots across Nova Scotia," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Natural Resources. "This prestigious award recognizes one woodlot owner each year who puts extra thought and care into their woodlot activities."

Nominations are evaluated on a variety of criteria, such as the quality of harvesting practices, the environmental standards being exercised and the owner's efforts to improve the condition and health of their woodlands.

In addition to the provincial recognition, the winning landowner also receives a plaque awarded by the minister, designation signs to post onsite and a major prize donated by a sponsoring manufacturer. Some of the past winners of the Woodlot Owner of the Year Award include Don and Katy Moore of Upper Kennetcook, Hants Co.; Tom and Bill Skinner of South Berwick, Kings Co.; Harold Hearn of Princedale, Annapolis Co.; George Chisholm of Bear River, Digby Co.; Earle Tanner of Hardwood Lands, Hants Co.; and Maxie MacNeil of Highland Hill, Victoria Co.

Individuals and organizations are invited to submit nominations for the Woodlot Owner of the Year to any office of the Department of Natural Resources. Nominations can also be sent to Tim Whynot at the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 698, Halifax, B3J 2T9, by fax to 902-424-7735, or by e-mail to whynottw@gov.ns.ca . The nomination must include the owner's name, address, phone number, size and location of woodlot, a brief paragraph stating why this person deserves the nomination, and the nominator's name and phone number.

For more information, please contact Tim Whynot at 902-424-5444.