Celebrate Nova Scotia's Forests

NOTE: A list of field days and directions follows this release.

Woodland owners and Nova Scotians interested in the outdoors are invited to enjoy the province's forests through a series of field days, beginning Saturday, Sept. 17, to help celebrate National Forest Week.

"I invite families and individuals to take part in the field day activities and to learn, explore, and enjoy the forests," said Natural Resources Minister Lloyd Hines

National Forestry Week runs from Sept. 18 to 24.

The field days, held Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., will be hosted by a different 2016 Woodland Owner of the Year each week. Visitors to the woodlots can enjoy family-friendly activities, experience trails and learn about forests and being a woodland owner. Lunch will be available for purchase.

The award winners were recognized earlier this year as outstanding woodland stewards who encourage sustainable woodland management and increase public awareness of the importance of private woodlands. Award presentations will begin around 12:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Sept. 17, eastern region recipients Frank and Lelia Machnik will welcome visitors to their woodland in Bayfield, Antigonish Co.

• Sept. 24, central region and provincial recipients Matthew and Bonnie Harrison and family will host a field day on their property in Lynn Mountain, Cumberland Co.

• Oct. 1, western region recipients Larry and Greta Goodwin of Hillgrove, Digby Co., will share their woodland with visitors

To be eligible, nominees must own 20 to 2,000 hectares of woodland in Nova Scotia. Nominations are evaluated by a committee of foresters, wildlife specialists, industry representatives, previous winners and environmental or forestry students.

Evaluation criteria include integrated resource management with an emphasis on wood production, commitment to sustainable goals, wildlife habitat protection, enhancing recreation opportunities, forest knowledge, and their woodland's health.

For more information, visit http://novascotia.ca/woodlandaward.

List of field days and directions:

Sept 17: Frank and Lelia Machnik, Bayfield, Antigonish Co. From Highway 104, take Exit 33 in Antigonish, head east 17 kilometres to Exit 36. Turn left on Summerside/Bayfield Rd. Drive five kilometres to Old Ferry Rd., turn left. Travel about two kilometres to the Machnik woodlot. Watch for signs.

Sept. 24: Matthew and Bonnie Harrison, Lynn Mountain, Cumberland Co. From Highway 102, take Exit 15 toward New Brunswick. Merge onto Highway 104. Take Exit 10 and turn left onto Station Rd. Turn right onto Nova Scotia Trunk 2. Drive for about 44 kilometres. Turn right onto Lynn Rd. Drive for about 10 kilometres to 1889 Lynn Rd. Watch for signs.

Oct. 1: Larry and Greta Goodwin, Hillgrove, Digby Co. From Highway 101, take Exit 26 at Digby. From Kentville side of Digby turn left onto Acacia Valley Rd. From Yarmouth side of Digby turn right onto Acacia Valley Rd. Keep right onto Ridge Rd. Parking is in the field across from 2316 Ridge Rd. About seven kilometres from Exit 26. Watch for signs.