PEI Model Forest Network Partnership PEI Model Forest Network Partnership
 
PEI Woodlot Owners attend Forestry Day

By Sarah Glinz

Previously published in Atlantic Forestry Review

Woodlot owners John Rice and Urban MacLellan of Grand River, PEI invited the public to visit their woodlots to learn about Island forests and the management of private woodlots as part of a Forestry Day on November 15. The event was supported by the PEI Model Forest Network Partnership (PEIMFNP) and the PEI Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry as part of the PEIMFNP’s Landscape Level Pilot Project, a multi-year initiative intended to help landowners work together to use and conserve their woodlots. Despite the threat of rain, the event was a great success with nearly 150 people in attendance, some traveling from as far away as Charlottetown to take in the occasion.

Guests were given the opportunity to take in a variety of exhibits and demonstrations related to the management of private woodlots and the importance of forest resources to the Island’s environment, economy and communities. One of the main attractions was a guided hay-ride and walking tour of the Rice-MacLellan woodlots where treatments such as selective harvesting, managed plantations, pre-commercial and commercial thinning were demonstrated and the importance of retaining buffers along riparian zones and wildlife habitat features were discussed.

Another feature was a visit from the “Forest Doctors.” Randy Dibblee, well-known Island wildlife biologist; Dave Carmichael, horticulturalist at the J. Frank Gaudet Tree Nursery and Mark Arsenault, NSFSS certified chainsaw safety instructor were on hand to answer visitors’ questions about wildlife management, the health and care of trees and shrubs and chainsaw maintenance and sharpening techniques.

Guests were also able to take in displays of small woodlot forestry equipment, firewood education, information from a local watershed conservation group, examples of non-timber forest products, information on the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry’s Public and Private Land Programs and a kids activity centre. A local woodlot owners group, Wood West Network Incorporated, provided hungry guests with a free barbeque, which was very popular with guests returning from the hay-ride and woodlot tour.

To cap off the day, the PEIMFNP presented woodlot owner, John Rice and value-added wood producer, Bruce Craig with the “Forest Ambassador Award.”Recipients of the award are acknowledged for demonstrating outstanding leadership in the Islands’ forest community.

With nearly 90% of PEI’s forested landbase managed by approximately 16,000 private woodlot owners, events like this have proved to be a very positive and effective way of promoting good woodland stewardship and inspiring woodlot owners to more actively manage their woodland. By the end of the day, countless people commented that they had a new appreciation and understanding of Island forests and forestry and ten people indicated that they would like to have sustainable forest management plans developed for their woodlots.