Agriculture and Forestry Minister Mitch Murphy today announced a new, cost-shared program which will provide incentives to woodlot owners for the development of forest management plans and selected non-clearcut silviculture treatments. Under the Forest Enhancement program, interested land owners can have a qualified professional develop a forest management plan to help them make decisions for themselves and their land.
"Island forests can be among the most productive in Canada, but in order to capitalize on that productivity land owners need good information on the capabilities of their forest land," said Mr. Murphy. "The Forest Enhancement program is part of the provincial government's commitment to encourage and support the sustainable development and use of the Island's natural resources."
The forest management plan will be tailored to the woodlot's capabilities by outlining a variety of forest management options for each area of the property.
The program focuses on non-clearcut treatments which sustain and/or enhance wildlife habitat and biodiversity, while improving both timber quality and non-timber opportunities on the woodlot. Once land owners have a registered plan, they can start to access funding for a number of silvicultural treatments such as selections cuts, pre-commercial thinnings, and stream management zone work. The province and land owner cost-share each of these treatments, with the province providing a preset maximum. Additional incentives are provided to help cover operations such as pre-treatment layout, extraction trail design, and tree marking.
Land owners may do their own work or hire a contractor to do it for them, but the work must be done to standard in order to qualify for the incentives. Mr. Murphy said this program complements the Department's traditional reforestation program and land owners who want to reforest cut overs or abandoned land can still receive assistance. Over time, the revenue generated from high value trees and other non-timber products will allow land owners to continue to manage their forest sustainably while still making a profit for themselves and their families.
"Forest stewardship can bring significant benefits to forest owners and to our environment, so I encourage woodlot owners to get involved," said the minister. "By using these types of treatments on suitable stands, the land owner can encourage biodiversity, enhance wildlife habitat, cultivate new, high quality forest products, and protect our Island's landscape."
For more information on the Forest Enhancement program, contact the Department of Agriculture and Forestry at 902 368 4700.