Nominations Sought For 2004 Woodlot Owner of the Year

NATURAL RESOURCES--Nominations Sought For 2004 Woodlot Owner of the Year

Each year, the Department of Natural Resources recognizes private woodlot owners for their outstanding stewardship and good woodlot management.

Nominations for Nova Scotia's 2004 woodlot owner of the year are being accepted until Saturday, Jan. 31, at Department of Natural Resources offices or online at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/extension/woya/applic.htm .

Any resident of Nova Scotia who owns between 20 and 400 hectares (50 to 100 acres) of woodland, and who agrees to host a public education and information field day on their woodlot, is eligible for the annual award. Natural Resources employees, regional winners from the last three years and provincial winners from the last 10 years are not eligible.

"This is an opportunity for Nova Scotians to acknowledge the many positive activities that private woodlot owners are doing across the province, by nominating someone they believe is deserving of recognition," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "Each year this prestigious award recognizes one woodlot owner who has put extra thought and care into managing his or her woodlot sustainably."

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 his or her woodlands.

In addition to the recognition, the winning landowner also receives a plaque, awarded by the minister, a large sign to post at the site and a major prize donated by a sponsoring manufacturer. Past winners of the woodlot owner of the year award include Richard Irving of Baxter's Harbour, Kings Co.; Les Corkum of Falmouth, Hants Co.; Don and Katy Moore of Upper Kennetcook, Hants Co.; and Tom and Bill Skinner of South Berwick, Kings 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 directly to Dale Glennie at the Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 698, Halifax, N.S., B3J 2T9, by fax to 902-424-7735 or by e-mail to woodlot@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.