2004 Woodlot Owner of the Year Winner Chosen

A man from Yarmouth is the 2004 Nova Scotia Woodlot Owner of the Year Award winner, Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt announced today, July 9.

James Bower was chosen as the western regional winner in June and was recently selected as the provincial winner from regional woodlot owners in central, eastern and western Nova Scotia.

"Much of Nova Scotia's woodland is owned by small landowners who invest their own time and money into managing their woodlots," said Mr. Hurlburt. "This annual award is one way to recognize the efforts of small woodlot owners and their outstanding stewardship."

Mr. Bower, whose woodlot is located in Lower Ohio, Shelburne Co., was chosen as the provincial winner for his thoughtful approach to managing his woodland.

"One of his goals is to leave the woodland in better condition than he inherited it and to provide employment," said Tim Whynot, a forester with the department and member of the judging committee. "He is the first landowner that we have evaluated who has hired a consultant to give him an updated management plan. He is also one of the few landowners who has made a conscious decision to preserve some old growth forest, which he calls the green bunch."

A lot of silviculture has taken place on the property since the early 1980s and its tall pine trees and outstanding pine regeneration is noticeable along the Ohio Road.

"The woodlot is a lesson in co-operation between the landowner, his contractor Mike Harris, a consulting forester, Patricia Amero, and Lewis Mouldings," said Bruce Carter, a forester with the Department of Natural Resources.

The 2004 Woodlot Owner of the Year Award will be presented to Mr. Bower during a public field day to be held on his woodlot in October.

The other regional winners were Laurie Hanna and sons of Parrsboro, Cumberland Co. for the central region and Earle Vickers of Portree, Inverness Co. for the eastern region award. Field days will be held on Mr. Hanna's and Mr. Vicker's woodlots in September.

This is the 15th year for this award, which recognizes landowners who carry out sustainable woodlot management. The award also increases public awareness of the importance of private woodlots in Nova Scotia. Woodlot owners are evaluated on their effort and commitment to setting and meeting sustainable goals for their land.

Nova Scotia residents are eligible if they own between 20 to 400 hectares (50 to 1,000 acres) of woodland in the province. Nominations are accepted at Department of Natural Resources offices until March 31 of each year.