2010 Woodlot Owner of the Year Announced

An Antigonish County family that manage a 190-acre woodlot in North Lochaber are the winners of Nova Scotia's 2010 Woodlot Owner of the Year Award.

"The Department of Natural Resources is proud to present the 2010 Woodlot Owner of the Year Award to Jim Webber and his family," said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell. "Mr. Webber and his family have demonstrated outstanding innovations in integrated resource management."

The Webbers were chosen as the provincial winners for their excellent planning and management. The property has been salvaged from neglect and molded into a thriving woodlot, including 36 acres of blueberry farm, 10 acres of grassland, and a Christmas tree farm. The woodlot provides a source of income, a place for recreation, and a means to an enjoyable lifestyle.

Within a few years of purchasing the woodlot, Mr. Webber developed a management plan with the assistance of Scott and Stewart Forestry Consultants Ltd., following forestry trends, and updating his management plan to reflect the Forestry Stewardship Councils (FSC) Maritimes Standards.

The Webbers have been implementing sustainable practices since acquiring their woodlot, allowing only small areas of the woodlot to be harvested at a given time. This has fostered the development of uneven-aged stands and the maintenance of wildlife habitat.

The 2010 Woodlot Owner of the Year Award will be presented to the Webber family, along with their award as winners of the eastern region, at a public field tour of their woodlot on Oct. 2.

Other regional winners recognized are Dave Thomas and family of North Range, Digby Co., in the western region, and George Post and family of West River Station, Pictou Co., in the central region.

The Department of Natural Resources receives several nominations for the award each year. All nominations are evaluated by department staff for regional winners, while the provincial winner is selected by a committee of two foresters, a wildlife technician, and an environmental studies undergraduate student.

Nova Scotia residents who own 20 to 800 hectares of woodland in the province are eligible for woodlot owner awards. Nominations are accepted at Department of Natural Resources offices until April 15 each year. More information is available on the department's website at www.gov.ns.ca/natr/woodlot/woya/.