Woodlot Owners of Year to Host Field Days

Nova Scotians will have an opportunity to take interpretive walks, learn about natural resources management opportunities, view informative displays and enjoy the great outdoors when regional and provincial Woodlot Owners of the Year open their properties to the public during the months of September and October.

"These annual field days allow Nova Scotians to get involved and learn first-hand the responsible practices of our province's top woodlot owners," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "This year, 15 woodlot owners were nominated for these awards. We encourage all woodlot owners to strive to the practices of this year's winners."

The Woodlot Owner of the Year Award was developed by the Department of Natural Resources in 1990 to recognize and reward landowners for outstanding stewardship of their woodlots. To be eligible for the awards, individuals must own between 20 and 800 hectares (50 to 2,000 acres) of property and practice sustainable woodlot management.

The September field days begin on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Royce and Christine Ford, winners of the title for the western region of the province, host visitors in Maitland Bridge, Annapolis Co. The day's events will include informative displays and interpretative walks.

To reach the Ford woodlot from Halifax, follow Highway 103 to Bridgewater. At the Wileville exit (Exit 13), turn right and follow Highway 325 to Highway 208. Turn left to Highway 8, then right past Caledonia and Kempt and watch for signs.

From Highway 101, take exit 22 near Anapolis Royal and travel about 48 kilometres. Watch for signs. The woodlot is near Kejimkujik National Park and historic site.

Neal Livingston will host a tour of his winning property in the eastern region, Black River Maple Products, in Riverville, near Mabou, Inverness Co. The tour will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include demonstrations of a portable sawmill, micro-hydro power and selection management. To reach the Livingston woodlot in Riverville, take Highway 19 from Mabou or Inverness to 249 MacLennans Rd.

The 2008 field days conclude on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Nuttby woodlot, property of Russell and Marjorie McNally in Colchester Co. The McNally's won the central region and provincial awards. Their 81-hectare property includes uneven-aged forests, plantations for specialty products and Christmas trees.

To reach the McNally's woodlot, take Highway 102 to exit 14A. Turn right and travel four kilometres to Highway 311. Turn left and travel for 17 kilometres to Sutherland Road. Turn right and travel one kilometre to the woodlot gate.

From Highway 104, take the exit to Bible Hill/Valley to College Road. Turn left and travel 500 metres to Valley Crossroads intersection. Turn right, drive under the Highway 104 overpass, and follow Brookside Road. Travel six kilometres to Highway 311, turn right and travel 15 kilometres to Sutherland Road. Turn right again and travel one kilometre to the woodlot gate.

"Through programs such as this, we hope to encourage even more talented workers to bring the forestry sector through this time of transition, into a new era of product diversification and intensive forest management with an emphasis on sustainability," Mr. Morse said.

To encourage the educational benefits of the Woodlot Owner of the Year Award program, local elementary schools have been invited to visit winning woodlands in the days leading up to each field day.

Landowners who compete for the woodlot owner awards 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
• considering values such as wildlife habitat protection and recreation

The regional and provincial winners were named in June.

For more information on the awards, the field days, and to learn how to apply for the 2009 competition, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/extension/woya or call local Department of Natural Resources regional offices.