The public will have an opportunity to provide input on the future conservation and use of the Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area at an upcoming meeting.
The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, in cooperation with the Boughton River Watershed Enhancement Association, will host the meeting at the Bridgetown Highway Depot Wednesday, March 14, beginning at 8 pm.
Minister Chester Gillan said his department has been working with the Boughton River Watershed Enhancement Association this winter to develop a draft management plan for the Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area.
"We want to invite area residents to see what we have developed to date, and more importantly to tell us what they would like to see included in the management plan, what they see as acceptable uses for the area," the Minister said.
The Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area is a 1,827-acre parcel of land just north of Dundas. It is comprised of diverse woodland and encompasses two of the largest freshwater wetlands in the province - Whitlock's Pond and Doc's Marsh, which are jointly managed by the province and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
The property is used extensively for recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Martin MacLeod, chair of the Boughton River Watershed Enhancement Association, said the group would like to see the management plan not only provide opportunity for those traditional activities to continue, but also explore new opportunities.
"Through the establishment of trails for recreation, we see potential to develop eco-tourism opportunities with economic spinoffs for the community," MacLeod said.
The Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area is one of several provincially-owned wildlife management areas across the Island. These areas contribute to the government's commitment to protect seven per cent of lands in the province as part of the World Wildlife Fund Endangered Spaces Challenge. The designation of lands as Wildlife Management Areas serves to protect wildlife habitat and ensure biodiversity conservation in the province.
For further information on the Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area or the March 14 public meeting, contact the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, Fish and Wildlife Division, at 368-4683.
Copies of the Forest Hill Wildlife Management Area draft management plan will be available March 12 at the following locations: On Your Way Variety, Eric's Small Engine Repair, Campbell's Irving, and Bridgetown Highway Depot.