2012 FINAL REPORT. Prepared by:

Transcription

1 2012 FINAL REPORT Prepared by:

2 Special recognition is provided to the following individuals for their contribution to the 2012 BAFIA Forestry Day: Ernie Demuth Virginia DeCarle Barry and Tracy McGibbon McGibbon Forestry staff Joel McCracken Paul Devitt Gord Brown Gareth Davies Jessica Kaknevicius Cameron McRae Lou Freymond Marilyn Donaldson Dean Kuno Fred Werner Peter Hynard Bethany Houghton Wendy Evenden Will Ruch Doug MacKenzie John Foreman Ethan Huner Margaret Haskin Madison White Colleen Drew-Baehre Carl Ziebarth NHHS NERDS Students Jennifer Card 1

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # 1. Introduction 2 2. Community Support Partners & Sponsors 2 3. Participant List 3 4. Event Overview and Activities Financial Statement 5 6. Observations and Feedback Recommendations 6 Appendix: Schedule and newspaper articles 1

4 1. INTRODUCTION The objective of Forestry Day is to give students a clear picture of how forest management and sustainable harvest methods are performed in Ontario, and particularly Hastings County. It provides quality, hands-on activities that give students an appreciation for the science and diversity of forest ecosystems, and the efforts by the forest industry to extract renewable resources while protecting and sustaining these systems. Exposure to a variety of wood products also gives students a connection to their use of forest products in everyday life. Hopefully this training day garners interest in Ontario s forests, and inspires the next generation of forest management stewards. Grade 7 and 8 students from schools in the Bancroft and Whitney area were invited to participate. This was the first year for Forestry Day, held at Joy Bible Camp on Thursday, June 7 th, Approximately 180 students from 3 area schools attended. While the Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA) is the lead proponent responsible for organizing the event, the contributions of several community partners and donors are critical to its success. 2. COMMUNITY SUPPORT PARTNERS & SPONSORS Successful delivery of the Field Day is due to a strong community effort. Many businesses, organizations, and individuals contribute in-kind and financial resources to the event. PROGRAM PARTNERS: Algonquins of Ontario / Whitney & Area Algonquins Bancroft Foodland Bancroft Forestry Services Bancroft Minden Forest Company Inc. Demuth Forestry Services Freymond Lumber Ltd. Haliburton Amateur Luthiers Organization Joy Bible Camp MacKenzie Wood Products 2

5 McGibbon Forestry Ministry of Natural Resources Bancroft District Northern Environmental Research & Development Studies (NERDS) program at North Hastings High School Students and instructors Ontario Forestry Association R&L Bus Lines Ruch Canoes ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SPONSORS: Bancroft Area Stewardship Council Community Futures Development Corporation of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin Ontario Forest Industries Association 3. PARTICIPANT LIST Two (2) of the four (4) local schools with Grade 7 & 8 classes participated in Forestry Day, as well as students from a local home-school program. PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS: School Contact # of Students York River Public School Tracy Thrower Flint Street Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0 (613) Whitney Public School Lori Gonzalez 6 PO Box 309 Whitney, ON K0J 2M Home-school program Tracy Mills 12 Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School P.O. Box 778 Bancroft, ON K0L 1C0 (613) St Martin of Tours Catholic School P.O. Box 177 Whitney, ON K0J 2M0 (613) Pat Flagler-Edwards Did not attend Pat Flagler-Edwards Did not attend TOTAL 180 3

6 4. EVENT OVERVIEW AND ACTIVITIES Students were split into four large groups and spent the day rotating through different themed stations (see Schedule in Appendix). Tree Marker: - Larger group split into 5 smaller groups of 8 students and assigned an instructor - smaller groups led by their instructor rotated through a series of stations to learn the skills utilized by tree markers and other forestry professionals, including: o Tree Identification basic instruction using keys to identify common local tree species; o Tree Marking how to identify and mark trees for harvest, identifying diseases and how to use a prism; o Wildlife Values how to identify tree cavities, bear claw marks, mast trees and stick nests, and how these values are protected. Navigator: - Discussed how a compass and GPS unit are used in forestry, and the importance of these tools in reducing the risk of becoming lost in the bush. - Larger group split into 8 groups of 5 students and assigned an instructor - learned orienteering skills by completing an exercise using a compass. Tree Planting: - Instructor provided overview of tree tolerance, what species to plant where, and proper planting techniques. - Students split into groups of 3 and were provided with equipment to plant White Pine seedlings. - Students were given White Pine seedlings to take home to plant. Equipment Demo: - Students were provided with a quick overview of the local forest industry and its important to the local economy. - Students witnessed a live logging operation using a harvester, skidder and bulldozer (for site prep), and were able to view the equipment upclose. 4

7 Wood Products: - This area contained a variety of displays and demos from 5 local businesses and artisans that use wood, including a canoe maker, luthier, wood products manufacturer, a sawmill, broad-axe hand hewn log demo and Algonquin cultural values. - Students were given a series of questions that had to be answered about each display in order to earn a prize. The day s activities were covered by both local newspapers, Bancroft This Week and The Bancroft Times (see Appendix for articles). Special thanks is extended to Jessica Kaknevicius of the Ontario Forestry Association who produced two videos of the event that are now posted online for all to view ( and 5. FINANCIAL STATEMENT Income: Description Amount Nominal participant fees ($2 per person) $ CFDC of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin $4, Bancroft Area Stewardship Council $ Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association $ TOTAL: $5, Expenses: Description Amount Joy Bible Camp facility rental and volunteer lunches $1, R&L Charters bussing $1, Misc supplies thank you cards, prizes, bristol board, etc $ Wood exhibit honorariums (5 - $100 ea) $ Equipment floating $1, Purchase of tree seedlings $ TOTAL: $5, Special thanks is extended to our main financial contributor, CFDC of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin, as well as the many forestry professionals and businesses that provided significant in-kind contributions 5

8 of time, equipment and materials to make this event happen within such a cost-effective budget. In-kind Contributions: Description Value Amount Organization, planning and prep 200 $8, Event set-up, delivery and clean-up 500 $20, Equipment and supplies - use of tools Variable $1, (shovels, compasses, etc.), donation of supplies (i.e. photocopying), operation of large equipment, etc. Photo, video and blog coverage of event $ TOTAL: $29, OBSERVATIONS & FEEDBACK An was circulated to the contact for each school that participated in Forestry Day soliciting their feedback and recommendations. Observations and comments were also gathered from volunteers and media representatives. Overall, the feedback was very positive, but some suggestions included: - Providing a teaching package in advance to the teachers so that the students have some basic background knowledge ahead of time (i.e. forestry terminology and concepts); - A more challenging / interesting orienteering course, possibly in the form of a race or game; - Some groups missed out on seeing the equipment demo, and some groups were more engaged than others (possibly a reflection of their guide s enthusiasm). 7. RECOMMENDATIONS BAFIA was very pleased with the response to and success of the first Forestry Day. The following is a list of recommendations captured by the organizing committee that will be considered for next year to further enhance the quality of this event: 6

9 Separate participants into smaller groups of 8-10 students and assign a NERDS leader that guides them to the various stations throughout the day ensure guides have a script to follow for messaging and are well trained in their roles and responsibilities; Combine the Tree Marker and Navigation Stations into one half-day curriculum there would be multiple smaller stations or activities for the groups to move through; Move the location of the Navigation Station so that students are not distracted by the play equipment and create a more challenging activity / course; Utilize the large hall in the main building for the morning introduction, storing student bags, and the participant lunch area. This would provide more space in the gym for additional wood product displays, and could provide access to the tuck shop for students during the lunch hour (if agreed to by teachers); It was disappointing that both Catholic schools (OLM in Bancroft and St, Martin s in Whitney) withdrew from the event only days in advance. Will need to work with the administration, teachers and parent council if needed to ensure that these schools are given the opportunity to participate next year. Overall, the event seemed to function very well, and met the objective of providing a high-quality, hands-on opportunity for local youth to learn about sustainable forest management in North Hastings. BAFIA looks forward to offering this program again next year, and possibly expanding the event to South Hastings and other areas of the province. 7

10 APPENDIX 8

11 FORESTRY DAY Schedule Event Date: Thursday June 7, 2012 Numbers (Grade 7 and 8) York River PS Whitney 12 Total = 180 Group will be split into 4 groups of 45 each. Each group will rotate through 4 forestry themes. Schedule 9:30 to 10:00 Arrival, Welcome, orient into 4 groups 10:00 to 12:00 Group A and B rotate through Tree Marker and Navigator stations - Group C and D rotate through Tree Planter and Harvester stations 12:00 to 12:30 Lunch 12:30 to 2:30 Group C and D rotate through Tree Marker and Navigator stations - Group A and B rotate through Tree Planter and Harvester stations 2:30 Depart Timing for each station ** (travel time not included in total time) Navigator 55 minutes Tree Marker - 55 minutes (2 groups rotate between Tree planter and harvester then move down to wood products in gym) Tree Planter - 35 minutes (+10 min travel time) Harvester - 35 minutes Wood Products 30 minutes (10 minutes travel time back to exhibitor building) 9

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