The Department of Agriculture and Forestry has scheduled a series of province-wide information session for woodlot owners to increase awareness of forest management options and provide information on departmental programs and services. The information sessions begin next week, and will continue throughout the month of March.
"Under our 11-point Forest Action Plan, we made a commitment to develop a woodlot owner education program which would provide landowners with the information they need to make more informed decisions for the harvest and management of their land, including both timber and non-timber opportunities," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill. "Our committed and knowledgeable staff have worked successfully for years with woodlot owners throughout the province, and have a great deal of experience and information to share with those who want to learn more about the potential of their woodlots."
Mr. Hammill said that since the early 1980s, some 4000 woodlot owners have participated in forest management programs offered by the department. There are 12000 woodlot owners in the province, and he said many may not be fully aware of the benefits of forest management and how the Private Land program can help them manage their woodlots for a wide range of uses, including non-timber uses such as maple products, wild edible mushrooms, ground hemlock and eco-tourism.
The minister also said the sessions will also provide an opportunity for woodlot owners to offer their ideas on topics to be covered in a woodlot education program now being developed by the department. "The woodlot education program must meet real needs in order to be effective," he said.
The theme of the two hour evening sessions is "Your Forest...Your Choice." The sessions are open to everyone, regardless of whether or not they own woodland. For more information on dates and locations, contact the local Forest District office or call (902)368-4700.