Small Private Woodland Owners In Nova Scotia

Transcription

1 Small Private Woodland Owners In Nova Scotia

2 Overview Small Private Woodland Owners Definitions & Misconceptions Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners Brief History Structure & Affiliations Efforts & Achievements

3 Small Private Woodland Owners Woodland: Land that is covered with trees and shrubs Private Ownership: Belonging to, restricted to, or intended for an individual Nongovernmental Small private woodland owner: Any individual or nongovernmental entity who owns between 15 and 5000 acres of woodland

4 Small Private Woodland Owners Estimated small private woodland owners in Nova Scotia Backgrounds Viewpoints Unique relationships with woodland Reasons for owning woodland

5 Small Private Woodland Owners Traditional Forestry

6 Small Private Woodland Owners Hiking and Recreation

7 Small Private Woodland Owners Non Timber Forest Products

8 Small Private Woodland Owners Bird Watching

9 Small Private Woodland Owners Entertaining Guests

10 Small Private Woodland Owners???

11 Small Private Woodland Owners What do small private woodland owners have in common? Ownership of woodland Pressure and interest from outside sources Often overlooked in woodland policy and decision making processes Concerns often disregarded

12 Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners

13 Brief History Concept has been around for many years In November 2002, the Primary Forest Products Marketing Board (PFPMB) invited woodlot owner groups to attend a meeting in Truro Determine if a need existed for a Provincial woodlot owner s organization Some issues are best handled on a regional or local level, other issues can only be addressed by a provincial body The need is there

14 Brief History First board of directors formed in 2003 First PFPMB grant received in 2005 Coordinator hired and office space secured in spring of 2005 Additional grant provided by PFPMB in spring of 2006

15 Purpose To inform & educate woodland owners Provincial & National issues Advice on all aspects of woodland management Finding a contractor, certification, regulations, silviculture, wildlife, fire suppression To help represent woodland owners Provincial & National issues Government policy and decisions Industry decisions Any major issues affecting woodland owners

16 Purpose Complementary to existing woodland owner groups and woodland related organizations Operate in an unbiased fashion In the best interest of Nova Scotia woodland owners as a whole Only reason for existing is to help small private woodland owners

17 Structure & Membership Board of Directors Comprised completely of small private woodland owners No government, industry or ENGO seats Three members from each region of Nova Scotia Western Central Eastern

18 Structure & Membership - Regional Rep.

19 Structure & Membership Membership Requirements Attained the age of 18 Own at least 15 acres of forested land Pay membership fee Membership is currently at 964 Approximately 600 new members over the last year Membership with other organizations is encouraged - you can t be too informed!

20 Affiliations Association for Sustainable Forestry Board of Directors Forestry Safety Society Board of Directors Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia Board of Directors Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners represent Nova Scotia Members on the Forestry Technical Advisory Committee to the Minister of Natural Resources Chair Woodland Owner Conference Provincial Steering Committee Affiliated with Group Ventures Association Nova Forest Alliance Associate Member Soon to be a partner

21 Efforts and Achievements Lobbying Chester Grant Natural resources Fire Depot Helped local community lobby to keep depot open changes in income tax policy to reflect the unique needs of small private woodland management Income averaging for landowners impacted by natural disasters A clear recognition of woodlot management as a small business Heritage Strategy Task Force recommendations on preserving natural heritage Brown Spruce Longhorn Beetle issue

22 Efforts and Achievements Communications Published articles Chronicle Herald, Cape Breton Post, Truro Daily, various local media Atlantic Forestry Review Periodic Federation news letter CBC Radio Maritime Noon phone-in show for woodland owners: Next phone-in, November 3 rd Woodland Owner Conference Series Chair Provincial Steering Committee Federation members on all WOC regional committees General Inquiries from woodland owners 2006 AGM October 21 st, Glengarry Hotel, Truro

23 Efforts and Achievements Research and Development Pan Canadian Woodlot Certification (CSA Z804) Helped develop framework for NS Participated in CSA national Z804 pilot program Researching the costs and benefits of riparian zones (RZ) and wildlife clumps (WC) Identify all costs and benefits related to WCs & RZs Determine how regulations are impacting woodland owners Seek ways to reward woodland owners for the services they are providing by creating WCs &RZs Create a report for public use and educational purposes

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