Ecological and Indigenous forestry to be discussed at conference
The public are invited to attend a conference in Millbrook on Saturday, April 2, on a wide variety of forest related topics. Designed for woodland owners and operators primarily, many of the topics would be of interest to anyone who has an interest in nature and the environment.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Millbrook Community Hall, 72 Church St., in Millbrook. The Province of Nova Scotia is moving to a more ecological type of forestry and there will be presentations on that topic to show how this will be done.
The annual woodland conference has been occurring for close to 20 years and is made possible by the cooperation of individual woodland owners, woodland owner groups, the Association for Sustainable Forestry, Mersey Tobiatic Research Institute and the Department of Natural Resources and Renewables.
The deputy minister of Natural Resources and Renewables, Karen Gatien, will provide an update on the many new developments within the Department and current directions of policies and programs.
One of the highlights of this annual conference is to hear a recent winner of the woodland owner of the year speak
about their experience over the years; the things that went well for them, and the things that they have learned from the not so good experiences.
Luther Sears, of Brookfield, who won the award in 2021 will talk about his experiences of his hands-on approach to sustainable forest management while working with Athol Forestry Co-op.
The Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association will provide a presentation on the recently announced Family Forest Network. Eleven organizations that serve small‐woodland owners and contractors are working together to develop the FFN. The network will promote – and significantly increase its capacity to support – the adoption of ecological forestry on non‐industrial woodlands through outreach, demonstration and research.
Building on programs and services currently offered by these organizations, the FFN will be the starting point for woodland stewards who want to learn more about forest practices that mimic natural processes, promote biodiversity, and restore ecosystem health – the key recommendations of William Lahey, author of the Independent Review of Forest Practices in Nova Scotia.
The FFN will conduct a large‐scale pilot of ecologically sensitive forest treatments in a wide range of woodland conditions across the province. Special emphasis will be placed on restoring degraded stands to their natural diversity and productivity.
Registered professional foresters Peter Neily and Jamie Ring of DNRR will provide details on how ecological forestry will be planned and implemented on crown land and recommended for private forest land.
Information of the Mi’kmaq Forestry Initiative will be presented by Troy Robichaud, senior research advisor with the Confederacy of Mainland
Mi’kmaq (CMM). Mi’kmawey Forestry is based on a wholistic forestry approach. Wholistic forestry realizes the importance of Netukulimk: taking only what you need and leaving something for future generations. Wholistic thinking is melded with today’s forestry treatments and management techniques promoting a balance between immediate economic needs, protection of the forest life and maintaining standing forests for our future. The initiative is funded by numerous sources that include Government agencies, private industry and other non-government organizations.
Cheyenne Macdonald, agriculture and climate manager of CMM, Environment and Natural Resources, will speak about Iknmatimkewe’l Nipuktuk - Gifts from the Forest.
Another topic of great interest to those that enjoy nature and the outdoors is ticks and Lyme Disease. Dr. Vett Lloyd, a very knowledgeable and entertaining expert on the subject, and Professor at Mount Alison University will provide a presentation entitled, Ticks - Why you want them to socially distance from you – and what to do if they don’t.
Weather permitting, following the presentations and prize draws, participants will be invited to join Justin Fiddes, CMM manager and former trails co-ordinator, on a guided walk along the Woodchip Trail which is located behind the hall and meanders through scenic young and old Acadian forest conditions.
A hearty lunch will be served at noon, provided by Hurricane Heidi’s of Brookfield. There will be a tree planting ceremony following lunch and several door prize draws.
One lucky participant will win the grand prize draw of a new professional grade Husqvarna power saw, provided by MC Power of Lower Truro.
The conference is the first of three being held across Nova Scotia this spring. Over the last year there have been 10 webinars offered freely online for the public on a wide variety of interesting topics pertaining to the forest and forest activities and potential. For more information, see nswoods.ca/ events.
Cost for the conference is $20 each and payable at the door. All those interested in attending are asked to preregister at nswoods.ca/events, or call 1-855-679-6637.