Calling all woodland owners and nature lovers

This Saturday there will be a conference in Lantz that will include expert speakers on a variety of topics of interest to woodland owners as well as those with a general interest in nature.

The annual event is being held this year at Maple Ridge Elementary School.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and presentations will begin at 9 a.m., with the agenda wrapping up at 3:15 pm.

Some of the presentation topics include: conference opening remarks by DNR Deputy Minister Julie Towers; and landowner opportunities and challenges by Matthew Harrison, (winner of the 2016 Nova Scotia Woodland Owner of the Year Award).

Dave Sutherland, forester and manager of the Association for Sustainable Forestry will discuss landowners’ approaches to silviculture and biodiversity. Conform Ltd. is a woodland owner-driven management company based in Middle Musquodoboit. Manager and forest technician, Ed MacDonell will discuss various opportunities and challenges involved with private woodland management.

Gerald Gloade, program development officer of the Confederation of Mainland Mi’kmaw, will talk about First Nations legends and stories that have been passed down over generations regarding wildlife and names. Conference participants will be treated to a talk highlighting how family forests are managed in Finland by John MacDougall, forester and executive director of the Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners who recently visited Finland.

A unique aspect will be a panel discussion on the role of clearcutting and other forestry practices. Participating will be Bob Bancroft of Nature Nova Scotia, Ed MacDonell of Conform Ltd. and Jeff Bishop of Forest Nova Scotia. Each speaker will provide a short summary of their views followed by a question-and-answer segment that will be open for participants to ask questions.

A popular topic that the general public is becoming more interested in is the role of forests in storing carbon and the related values and benefits. Dale Prest, ecosystem service specialist, Community Forests International, will talk about how to manage our forests to store carbon.

Woodland owners are generally interested in learning about potential markets for the variety of forest products that can be acquired from woodlands. Gerald Post, Director of Economic Development and Trade with the Department of Natural Resources will provide industry updates and discuss where markets are headed.

Wildlife topics are always popular at these conferences. Veterinarian Helene van Doninck, founder of Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre will provide an interesting presentation on the lead-free hunting and angling program.

There will be a large number of exhibitors setup who provide a wide variety of services, goods and information related to forest resources. Some items will be available for sale.

At the end of the day, there will be a grand prize draw and someone will win a new chainsaw. There will be other prize draws throughout the day.

Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for students. This will include a hearty turkey dinner and snack breaks.

The conference is produced cooperatively by the NS Woodlot Owners and Operators Association, Federation of NS Woodland Owners, Conform Ltd, DNR and individual woodland owners.

To register, call toll free 1-855-679-6637 or register online at www.nswoods.ca.