Province and Forestry Groups Sign Silviculture Agreement

NATURAL RESOURCES--Province and Forestry Groups Sign Silviculture Agreement

The Department of Natural Resources has signed an agreement with a provincial forestry group to administer and conduct silviculture work on small private woodlots throughout Nova Scotia. The work, valued at $500,000, will be carried out over the next 12 months.

The Association for Sustainable Forestry will carry out the work with funding from the department's current private lands silviculture budget. The organization is a partnership of woodlot owners and industry associations working together to conduct quality silviculture work under the province's forest strategy.

"The association completed a 14-month pilot project last year that resulted in silviculture treatments being carried out on private lands throughout the province," said Tim Olive, Minister of Natural Resources.

This program will supplement the silviculture activity being conducted by registered buyers and will be available throughout the province. It will be completed by July 31, 2003.

"This is an opportunity for everyone, including woodlot owners, industry and government, to work co-operatively to ensure that our forests are sustainable for the future," said Greg Shay, co- chair of the association. "Silviculture funding and programs are essential components to carrying this out."

The Association for Sustainable Forestry includes the Nova Scotia Federation of Woodland Owners, the Nova Scotia Landowners and Forest Fibre Producers Association, the Forest Council of Western Nova Scotia and the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia. These groups represent woodlot owners and producers and buyers and manufacturers of wood fibre.

David Sutherland is co-ordinator of the Association for Sustainable Forestry and works out of the Forest Products Association office in Hilden. Landowners who want to find out more about the project can call 902-895-1179.