Do you want to know more about your woodlot and sustainable forestry? Come and learn from the experts at the Managing Your Woodlot course. The Local Wood Initiative, with support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is hosting a two-day course in the classroom and out in the woods, led by professional foresters.
The outdoor session allows you to try out the techniques and decision-making processes covered in class. The Course Dates are Saturday, October 22 from 9 am to 3 pm AND Saturday, October 29 from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Dungannon Recreation Centre, 26596 Hwy 62 South in L’Amable, Ontario. Registration is required.
Woodlot owners can enhance and protect the health of their woods. Trees play a vital role in sequestering carbon; they provide wood for lumber and fuel, purify the air and provide habitat for a huge variety of insects, birds and animals. Woodlots and forestry provide jobs and are an important part of Ontario’s economy. “The important environmental functions of woodlots can be maintained, and in many cases, improved with active management that may result in financial return,” says course leader David Smallwood. The first morning session of the course covers the history of forestry in Eastern Ontario. The second morning session covers the types of forest stands (from upland hardwoods to treed woods, to coniferous plantations), and how to create a forest management plan.
The two afternoon sessions provide outdoor lessons in applying sustainable techniques in the woodlot. With a forest management plan, a landowner can set goals that may include collecting fuel wood, promoting wildlife, managing for recreation or harvesting lumber.
If you want to harvest wood for lumber or firewood, there are many factors to consider, such as getting bids from several reputable contractors and having a contract in place. The Bancroft and Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA) is a good resource, with their code of sustainable forestry practice. The Managing Your Woodlot course will be taught by David Smallwood, assisted by Fred Werner and Peter Hynard. They are all Registered Professional Foresters. To register, please contact Matt Caruana (613) 391-9034 infohastingsstewardship.ca or Louise Livingstone (613) 395-4388, infowww.harvesthastings.ca. The cost is $50 per person or $75 per couple. Also visit www.hastingsstewardship.ca and www.harvesthastings.ca.
We’re Hiring!
Harvest Hastings is looking for someone to join the team! If you are someone with a passion for supporting local food and