While the demand for wild Ground Hemlock is still far from the levels of the mid 2000s, the Island’s industry is looking at starting harvesting again on a small scale. The 2008 harvest season is fast approaching so the industry is offering two training programs for new Harvesters in eastern and western PEI, and one for Buyers this August.
In 2005 the Province enacted Ground Hemlock harvest regulations under the Wildlife Conservation Act. These regulations were developed to address issues related to problems with trespass, theft and unsustainable harvest practices in the commercial Ground Hemlock industry. “Under the regulations, all persons involved in the commercial harvest, transport, storage, and/or purchase of Ground Hemlock (Taxus canadensis) on Prince Edward Island must complete a mandatory training program and become licensed,” said Ken Mayhew, Information Officer with the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division. “The two, one-day Harvester courses are being held at the forestry offices in Wellington and Southampton on August 4th and 6th respectively.”
Courses are conducted by private sector trainers at a cost of $120 per person to cover the cost of the instructors time, travel and course materials. The Harvesters course will include indoor sessions on sustainability, contracts, and tracking requirements followed by a two day session in the field practicing clipping techniques with hand-held clippers. In addition, there will be an introduction to the new mechanized clipping machines that are being tested in Island forests this year. In order to run a course, the instructors need a minimum of 6 people for each offering.
The Buyers course is being offered at the Forestry Office facility in Beach Grove on August 11, 2008 and the cost is also $120 per person. This is a two day course and it will be the only Buyers course offered this year.
Mayhew noted that land owners may harvest Taxus on their own lands without training or a license but, in order to sell it to a licenced buyer, they must prove ownership and comply with the sustainability guidelines. People who have completed the training programs in past years and are still licensed should contact local Ground Hemlock businesses to explore employment opportunities.
For information on upcoming courses, call the Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division at 902 368 4700.