Woodlot Owners of Year to Host Field Days

Nova Scotians will have an opportunity to learn about natural resources management, view interesting demonstrations and enjoy the great outdoors when regional and provincial Woodlot Owners of the Year open their properties to the public in the coming weeks.

"We've been presenting this award to responsible woodlot owners in this province for 20 years now," said Natural Resources Minister John MacDonell. "This is just a small way we can express our appreciation for their on-going contribution towards the sustainability of Nova Scotia."

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 20 to 800 hectares (50 to 2,000 acres) of property and practice sustainable woodlot management.

The first field day will be Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when Brian and Margaret Archibald and sons Donnelly and Daniel, winners of the eastern region title, host visitors in Aspen, Guysborough Co. The day's events will include informative displays and interpretative walks.

To reach the Archibald woodlot from Antigonish, take Highway 104 to exit 32, then follow Highway 7 for about 40 kilometres.

To reach the Archibald woodlot from New Glasgow, take Highway 104 to exit 26, then follow Highway 347 towards Aspen for about 65 kilometres. Turn left on Highway 7 and drive for about one kilometre.

George and Phyllis Cook and family will host a tour of their winning property in the central region, in New Annan, Colchester Co. The tour will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include demonstrations of a portable sawmill, selection management and wildlife habitat management.

To reach the Cook woodlot from Bible Hill, follow Highway 311 towards Tatamagouche for about 38 kilometres to The Falls. Turn left onto Highway 256, drive about seven kilometres, then left at Mountain Road for about four kilometres to Maple Ridge Farm.

The 2009 field days conclude on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Maplewood Maple Syrup and Christmas Tree Farm, property of Rex and Bonnie Veinot and children Ryan and Venessa in Maplewood, Lunenburg Co. The Veinots won the western region and provincial awards. Their 142-hectare property includes uneven-aged forests, plantations for specialty products and Christmas trees.

To reach the Veinot woodlot from Highway 103, take Exit 11 and follow Cornwall Road for about 30 kilometres to the Parkdale/Maplewood Community Hall and Museum on the left.

To reach the Veinot woodlot from Highway 101 take Exit 13 and drive 37 kilometres to New Ross Cross intersection. Turn right toward The Forties and drive about 16 kilmetres. Turn left and drive about 10 kilometres to The Parkdale/Maplewood Community Hall and Museum on your right.

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 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 2010 competition, visit www.gov.ns.ca/natr/extension/woya or call local Department of Natural Resources regional offices.