Woodlot Owners of the Year
Tom and Lori Miller of Greenhill, Pictou Co., have been chosen as the 2005 Nova Scotia woodlot owners of the year.
The Millers were selected as the provincial winners from regional winners in central, eastern and western Nova Scotia.
"With much of Nova Scotia's woodland owned and managed by small landowners, this award recognizes their efforts and their outstanding stewardship," said Natural Resources Minister Richard Hurlburt. "Nova Scotia's woodlot owners invest their own time and money into managing their properties. Their work is essential for the province's sustainable forests and the economic viability of our forestry industry."
The Millers have two woodlots, one in Greenhill, the other in Earltown, Colchester Co. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were selected for their approach to sustainable management, including annual harvest limits, protected areas, improving wildlife habitat, and working to restore the woodlands to naturally occurring Acadian forest types.
The Millers received this award for their strong commitment to good forest management. They have taken the extra step to become certified in sustainable forest management -- an internationally recognized certification system -- by the Forest Stewardship Council.
The 2005 Woodlot Owner of the Year Award will be presented to the Millers during a public field day to be held on their woodlot on Saturday, Oct. 1.
"From listening to Tom speak about his activity and his objectives for his woodlands, it is easy to see his passion and love for what he does. Other woodlot owners will greatly enjoy seeing what the Millers have done on their property and hearing about their future plans at the fall field day," said Don Cameron, a regional forester with the Department of Natural Resources.
The other regional winners were Dwight Sanders of New Ross, Lunenburg Co. for the western region, and Jeremy Frith of North River, Victoria Co. for the eastern region. Field days will be held on Mr. Frith's woodlot on Saturday, Sept. 10 and on Mr. Sander's woodlot on Saturday, Sept. 17.
The field day on Mr. Sander's woodlot will be held in conjunction with the Lunenburg County Christmas Tree Producers' Association annual trade show.
This is the 16th year for this award, which recognizes landowners who carry out sustainable woodland management. This award also increases public awareness of the importance of private woodlands in Nova Scotia. Woodland owners are evaluated on their efforts and commitment to setting and meeting sustainable goals for their land.
Nova Scotia residents are eligible if they own between 20 to 800 hectares (50 to 2,000 acres) of woodland in the province. Nominations are accepted at Department of Natural Resources offices until March 31st of each year.