2002 Woodlot Owner of the Year Chosen
A resident of Falmouth, Hants Co., will receive the 2002 Nova Scotia Woodlot Owner of the Year award from the Department of Natural Resources.
Les Corkum was chosen as the western Nova Scotia regional winner in April and was recently selected as the provincial winner.
"There are many positive changes happening on private woodlots across Nova Scotia," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Natural Resources. "This prestigious award recognizes one woodlot owner a year who puts extra thought and care into their woodlot activities."
The Department of Natural Resources received 17 nominations for the woodlot owner award in January from which three regional winners were chosen in April.
Mr. Corkum was selected as the provincial winner for his keen and innovative approach to managing his woodlot.
"He has lots of experience and ideas, as well as lots of knowledge of tree and plant species," said Tim Whynot, a member of the judging committee. "Mr. Corkum likes to thoroughly research and try new things on his woodlot. That is one of the things that made him stand out above the others."
"I would like to congratulate Mr. Corkum for his hard work and dedication," said Mr. Fage. "This award is a reflection of his effort and achievement in managing his woodlot."
Along with his family, Mr. Corkum runs a Christmas tree u-cut operation that draws a lot of visitors from Halifax. His woodland also draws school tours from suburban areas like Tantallon. Mr. Corkum has been in the forest business all his life and is well known in the Christmas tree industry.
The 2002 Woodlot Owner of the Year award will be officially presented to Mr. Corkum at a public field tour to be held on his woodlot on Oct. 5. His woodlot is located on Highway 14, near Chester.
The central region winner is Earle Tanner of Hardwoodlands, Hants Co., who also won the provincial honour in 1991. Robert Glaze of Orangedale, Inverness Co., received the eastern award. Field tours will be held on Mr. Tanner's lot in North Salem, Hants Co. on Sept. 21 and Mr. Glaze's lot in Orangedale on Sept. 7.
This is the 13th year for this award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in woodlot management. Woodlot 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 400 hectares (50 and 1,000 acres) of woodland in the province are eligible. Nominations are accepted at Department of Natural Resources offices until Jan. 31 of each year.