Woodland Owner of the Year

The Nova Scotia Woodland Owner of the Year Award (WOYA) recognizes and rewards landowners for outstanding stewardship of their woodlands. It was developed to encourage woodlot owners to practice sustainable woodland management and to increase public awareness of the importance of private woodlands in Nova Scotia and good woodland management.

Woodland owners are evaluated on their effort and commitment to setting and meeting sustainable goals for their land; improving their knowledge or understanding of the forest land or the forest in general; improving the condition of, access to and health of their woodland; using integrated resource management, with an emphasis on wood production; and considering values such as wildlife habitat protection and recreation.

Nova Scotia residents who own between 20 and 2000 hectares (50 and 5,000 acres) of woodland in the province are eligible. Nominations are accepted at Department of Natural Resources offices until April 15. The intent of the award is to:

• recognize and reward landowners for outstanding stewardship of their woodlots.
• encourage woodlot owners to practice sustainable woodlot management.
• increase public awareness of the importance of private woodlots in Nova Scotia and good woodlot management.