Celebrate National Forest Week in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia children are being invited to visit the forests with Department of Natural Resources staff, adults are being invited to tour a woodlot with the Provincial Woodlot Owner of the Year Award winners, and radio "treevia" contests will be held on several radio stations as the province celebrates National Forest Week from Sept. 23 to 29.

The theme for 2007 is Canada's Forest - Tradition and Transition.

"Throughout history, forests have provided people with many things, including a means of survival," said Natural Resources Minister David Morse. "Although this is still true today, our dependence on forests is less direct in many cases. That makes it all the more important for us to understand the relationship and responsibilities we have to protect and enjoy the forests in which we work and play."

As in previous years, some Department of Natural Resources staff are joining with local groups and associations to conduct National Forest Week activities to help teach people about the forest. And there will be a special focus on children.

"Spending time in the outdoors in a forest is critical for our young people. It helps them appreciate the natural environment and our dependence on it," said Mr. Morse.

With that in mind, an event called Kids in the Forests has also been planned for each of the Department of Natural Resources' three regions. These events will provide the opportunity for elementary school children to learn about forests from department staff and other groups while in a forest setting.

Other events around the province include:

• Department of Natural Resources staff in some areas will talk with Grade 6 students about the importance of our forests and have seedlings for the students to plant;
• radio treevia contests will be held daily with the Department of Natural Resources providing T-shirts and Nova Scotia Atlases as prizes. Participating radio stations include: Cat Country FM 99.5, Big Dog FM100.9 in Truro; CKEC in New Glasgow; CKDH in Amherst; Magic FM 94.9 in Kentville; AVR 97.7 in Annapolis Valley; CJLS in Yarmouth; CJFX in Antigonish; and CIGO in Port Hawkesbury; and
• the final Woodlot Owner of the Year Award field day is being held in conjunction with National Forest Week. On Saturday, Sept. 29, Kevin and Susan Veinotte of Northfield, Lunenburg Co., will host an open house at their award-winning woodlot. Mr. and Mrs. Veinotte were selected winners of the provincewide woodlot owner of the year title this summer after being selected Western Region award winners in the spring. Field days for the eastern and central woodlot owners of the year were being held on Sept. 15 and Sept. 22.

National Forest Week is co-ordinated nationally by the Canadian Forestry Association. Events in support of the week are organized and sponsored locally. More information about National Forest Week activities is available at www.gov.ns.ca/natr .