NSWOOA
Update Newsletter 53
May 12,
2012
902-633-2108
In this Issue:
Hello Woodlot
Owners: Engagement
Promotional
Opportunity
Crown Land First
Deanery Project
Report
Awards at the AGM
Officers Named
How to Contact Us
Hello Woodlot Owners! Rules of Engagement
There we all were, sitting at tables and facing the front of the room,
where Wade Prest was moderating the membership discussion portion of the
AGM. It was April 14, 2012. On many of the tables there were copies
of a “rant” by Tom Miller, which suggested that the NSWOOA withdraw from or
decide not to participate in collaborative initiatives or time-wasting
meetings. It was his experience and belief that such activities can drain
energy and resources from our organization and result in very little
accomplished in the forest.
As an example, he mentioned being called twice to Halifax to attend
meetings with the authors of the Woodridge Report, which the NSWOOA and other
groups (which hope to see the Bancroft/Crossland report adopted as the basis of
our new forest management regime) have already discredited. Besides not getting
any work done in his woodland those days, Tom said, the meetings did not
provide an opportunity to point out the errors and suppositions of the
Woodridge report. Or even get an explanation of the issues. Indeed, a cynic
might have suggested that the only thing the meeting did do was allow DNR and
Woodridge to claim - at least at some level - that there had been
“consultation” with various forest interests.
Better, Tom suggested in defending his rant, to go and do good work and
lead by example than to entangle ourselves in processes that would or could be
hijacked by other interests with vastly different agendas.
For those involved in the ongoing day-to-day activities of the
Association, this was not a new dilemma. A few years ago now, Wade Prest
led us out of process to create a coalition of forest interests when it became
clear that process permitted industrial interests to put forward their ideas
and agendas but did not provide any meaningful way try to meet the needs of
private woodlot owners. Recently the NSWOOA was invited to participate in
another collaborative effort to develop regional certification, and one
director did attend the initial meeting. When the thrust of the process
was discussed at the Board level, it was determined that such a process would
lead to outcomes that the association did not support. We are thus not
involved in that process.
No organization exists in isolation, of course, and the NSWOOA does
participate in various events and with various groups and organizations.
Indeed, our By-Laws specify that we co-operate with like-minded
organizations. The recent success of creating the Otter Ponds
Demonstration Woodlot involves close participation with three other “like-minded
groups.” Also of note, the NSWOOA participated with DNR in hosting the field
day event in Earltown in 2005 when, ironically enough, the same Tom Miller (and
Lori Miller) were celebrated as Woodlot Owners of the Year.
Yes, it is true that participating in projects with other groups can
drain our resources.
Yes, it is true that such participation can been construed as condoning
a collaborative process or even the results when in fact we were opposed to the
eventual outcomes.
Yes, it is true that sometimes woodlot owners are at odds with the
agendas of others who have no desire to accommodate us.
Nonetheless, there was a strong resistance among much of the membership
involved in the discussion that day, to withdrawing representation from all
meetings or initiatives organized by other groups or organization.
Several voices from the floor suggested that by participating at some level we
would have a better feel for what was going on and at least some chance to sway
things in our favour.
Many of the same voices supported the suggestion that we make our
difference by the work we do. How we treat the land can set an example, a
standard, for others to follow. Lead by doing. Change the practices
of others by having higher standards for ourselves.
By the end of the discussion five members had volunteered to represent
the Association at meetings or to events.
Summing up the results of the discussion, moderator Wade Prest expressed
the idea that we had to find the right balance, and encouraged members to
express their opinions on where the Board should participate and where is
should perhaps withdraw and do some of its own work.
Promotional
Opportunity for Nova Scotia
Forestry Contractors and Woodlot Owners
Forestry Contractors and Woodlot Owners
You are invited to take part in an exciting new project for foresters
and woodlot owners in Nova Scotia. An online Forest Service Directory has
been developed in hopes that it will act as a tool to strengthen private
forestry in the province in these uncertain times. The directory will be a
place for contractors to advertise their services at no cost, and for
woodlot owners to search and compare contractors in their area providing the
services they need. The goal is to create an active community of people
providing, requiring, and interested in private forestry work in Nova Scotia.
This project was undertaken by the Nova Forest Alliance in partnership with the
Department of Natural Resources.
What is it?
The directory is an interactive online database that can be searched and
utilized at no cost by anyone with access to the internet. The purpose in
creating this is to provide Nova Scotia forestry contractors and woodlots
owners with a tool to match private silvicultural jobs with people able to do
those jobs, based on location and services required. With this in mind, the
directory is organized into two different kinds of profiles: forest service
providers (contractors) and woodlot owners.
Contractors interested in being included in the directory can create a
forest service provider profile for themselves or their company, which will
include information about the services they offer (both manual and mechanical),
the counties they are available to work in, the size of jobs they can complete,
and how to contact them. They will also have the opportunity to post pictures
of their operations in personal photo galleries, and give a description of
their business. This description can include company ideals, history, special
acknowledgements, or any other information that may make their services unique
and/or desirable to woodlot owners.
These contractor profiles can then be browsed by woodlot owners, or any
interested member of the public, to see who is working in their area. The
database can be explored by either doing a keyword search for a specific
contractor, service, or location, or by using the browse function. Using
browse, you must first select the service you require on your land, which will
display contractors offering that service, listed by their home county. You can
view them all or select by county. Clicking on the contractor will take you to
their profile where you can view all their relevant information and decide
which to contact.
The second kind of profile, woodlot owners, is for those needing work
done on their woodlots. Their profiles will include the services they require
and the location and size of the job. When a woodlot owner creates an account,
this enables the system to check the database for possible contractor matches
and provide this information directly to the woodlot owner, allowing for a more
efficient search. Think of it as like a ‘dating service’ for the private forest
industry, matching contractors up with forestry jobs.
Aside from the online component of this directory, hard copies will be
available for those without internet access, and as a form of advertisement for
the project.
Why should I create an account?
If you are a forestry contractor, this directory acts as free
advertising for your business and gives you the opportunity to include most
anything you wish about how you run your company and what you offer, including:
what kinds of services you provide, a photo gallery, certifications and awards,
and anything else you feel will help woodlot owners understand your ideals and
convictions.
If you are a woodlot owner, creating an account allows the system to easily
do the searching for you and provide you with matches based on the information
you provide. Your name will never be made public and you will not be contacted
by any contractors if you prefer not to be.
We hope that you will find this directory to be a useful and easily
accessible tool, for contractors and private woodlot owners alike.
Please go to http://fsdb.ca/
to get started!
If you have any questions about the site please contact Christie
Verstraten at christie.verstraten@dal.ca,
or the NFA by email at info@novaforestalliance.com or by
phone at (902)
639-2921.
Natural
Resources Strategy:
Crown land
first, Private land later?
By
Patricia Amero
Picea
Forestry Consulting
We have found that any talk around developing and implementing
legislated policy on the 50% reduction of clearcutting and an ecosystem-based
approach to forest management, if this does occur as part of the Natural
Resources Strategy, will be enacted on Crown Land first and will only be
recommended on private land. So if such legislated policy does happen how long
will it take for it to be actually enacted on private land? And what does this
mean?
I’m sure we all remember when the Watercourse Protection and Wildlife
Habitat regulations were first enacted on Crown land in 1991, and how it took
10 years to enact on private land in 2001. We recall from that time that many
private woodland owners were encouraged to harvest the forested riparian areas
along rivers and lakes, amongst other watercourses, before the legislation was
in effect on private land. Now lately with the “talk” of developing and
implementing a reduction goal of clearcutting to 50% and using an ecosystem
based approach to forest management we have certainly begun to see and will
continue to witness increasing levels of harvesting by clearcut method on
private land until (and if) any such legislated is enacted on private land.
I strongly think that because this is so complex and holistic in nature
it will take much longer to enact when compared to when the Watercourse and
Wildlife Habitat Regulations became into effect on private land. In
our discussions with various woodlot owners, contractors and some other
stakeholders we are uncertain if the public is aware of this. If this part of
the the Natural Resources Strategy is enacted for Crown land first, the result
may well be increased pressure to clearcut on private lands.
Spring
Update from the Deanery Project
by Richard
Bell
Eastern
Shore Forest Watch
The Deanery Project, in Lower Ship Harbour, was the place to be this
spring for people who wanted to learn more about working with and living in our
province’s wonderful forests. The well-attended series of forest workshops
included sessions on forest ecology, working with your woodlot in the
wintertime, making use of the many valuable non-timber products in the woods,
and hands-on learning on how to build low-impact trails. The series came about
through partnerships with the Department of Natural Resources and the Eastern
Shore Forest Watch.
The culmination of these workshops was the first annual “Spring Forest
Festival.” There were sessions on yurt building, coppicing, making greenwood
furniture, cultivating mushrooms, and lots of “eco-art” activities for kids.
The outdoor wood-fired pizza oven once again provided some of the best pizza on
the shore, and for music lovers, there were hours of jaming on songs old and
new. Guests who wanted a look around the many acres of woodlands took advantage
of more than a kilometer of new interpretive trails.
In keeping with its educational mission, The Deanery Project hosted 45
students from Grades 3 and 4 from the Oyster Pond Academy for a two-day program
introducing them to the Acadian forest eco-system. The first day took place at
the school. Then students, staff, and 10 volunteers came out for a hands-on
interactive field trip at The Deanery Project.
As summer approaches, the programming schedule is filling up. A series
of natural building workshops about straw bale and earth construction,
permaculture, and sustainable food production begin in May with the
construction of an on-site root cellar, a solar wood kiln and community
gardens. Classes in seasonal food preparation, foraging, and instruction on
healthy living, including yoga, Chi gong, biking, hiking, and maybe even circus
arts are also in the works.
The Deanery Project continues to develop activities growing out of
partnerships with organizations like Clean Nova Scotia, the Ecology Action
Centre, Nova Scotia Sea School, Y.W.C.A. and HRM Recreation. Also under
consideration is a relationship with the Transition Towns movement, a
world-wide network of community-based groups dedicated to building a more
sustainable world. (www.transitionbay.ca)
Deanery Project members continue to work away on renovations to make
buildings on the property more energy efficient, functional and inspiring.
Donations of dollars, tools, materials and/or labour towards these improvements
are much appreciated. A wish list is posted on our web site www.thedeaneryproject.com.
We are especially interested in wood working and gardening tools of all kinds
for skill building with our young people. If you are clearing out a tool shed
or barn this season please think of us.
The Deanery Project is a non-profit cooperative which welcomes new
members. For information on how to get involved or to find out about programs
and rentals please email: thedeaneryproject@gmail. Check out also our Facebook
page (“The Deanery Project”) and our web site www.thedeaneryproject.com
NSWOOA
Awards Presented at AGM
Wade Prest presented a plaque to Mrs. Richard Lord and her son, Ken
Lord, honouring the contributions of Mr. Richard Lord to the cause of the
NSWOOA and woodlot owners generally. Lord was a founder of the Association and
became its manager and also the Executive Secretary
before leaving the Association to develop his own Christmas tree
business. Ken Lord spoke for the family thanking the NSWOOA for this
recognition and Wade for his history lesson. He left us with one of his
father’s favourite observations, a definition of civilization: “When old men
plant trees under which they will never sit.”
Gary Schneider of the McPhail Woodlot in PEI was presented the Friend of
the Acadian Forest Award, a plaque, for his work restoring the Acadian forest
on the Island. Patricia Amero, presenting the award, mentioned that
Schneider was a role model for woodlot owners, and also noted that the Province
has just entrusted to his care the first piece of Crown land in Eastern Canada
to be managed as FSC certified, that being under the Forest Keepers
program with Picea Forestry.
In accepting the award, Schneider thanked the Association, saying he
appreciated the opportunity to feed off the enthusiasm of Association members.
Also acknowledged for his contributions to the Association was Ken
Macrury, retiring director. In presenting the award, Christie Verstraten
mentioned his participation on the Forest Technical Advisory board and his
expertise dealing with bureaucracies.
Officers
Named
The By-Laws of the NSWOOA require that the officers of the organization
be elected yearly by the Board of Directors at the Board meeting following the
AGM. This Year’s officers are:
President Marc
Chisholm
Vice President Wade
Prest
Secretary (recording) Paul Brison
Treasurer Tony
Phillips
President CWSD Lorne
Burrows
Also named was the Executive, which consists of:
Marc Chisholm (President)
Lorne Burrows (Past President)
Jamie Simpson
Matt Miller
Wade Prest (V.P.)
Lines of
Communication
Members are
encouraged to contact the Board of Directors, the Executive and other members
through our email address (nswooa@gmail.com)
or by phone (902-633-2108).
Please feel free to use these methods to keep us informed of what is going on
in your woodlot or in your community or area. We try to keep you informed
through these updates, newsletters and mail outs, our column in Atlantic
Forestry Review, the Annual General Meeting, and the website: http://www.nswooa.ca
