Association for Sustainable Forestry
Truro, N.S.

The summer silviculture season is in full swing as private landowners and silviculture contractors rush to complete areas before the July 31 deadline for the current funding agreement.

As it often has, the non-industrial large landowner sector has been instrumental in helping ASF meet its commercial thinning and selection harvesting targets this year, while pre-commercial thinning in both plantations and natural stands remains the most frequently requested treatment in small-private woodlots.

Ed MacLean and I were pleased to be invited to the Nova Scotia Silviculture Contractors Association (NSSCA) AGM on May 31. With a membership comprising companies and individuals who get the job done “on the ground,” the NSSCA is visibly prepared to tackle the challenges of an aging and dwindling workforce. With sound leadership and a dedicated membership, the Association is intent on being innovative while moving forward into the future. Since good quality timber is usually the linchpin for Nova Scotia wood markets, the NSSCA is undertaking crucial work planting, thinning, and harvesting trees in the forests of the province.

As the provincial government unfolds its approach to the triad system of forest management during the next few months, ASF clients participating in both intensive and non-intensive woodlot management eagerly await the results. With a solid commitment to woodland values – including timber and biodiversity – private landowners clearly hold the trump cards in determining the future of Nova Scotia’s forests and forest industry.

David Sutherland, RPF
Coordinator, Association for Sustainable Forestry
P.O. Box 696
Truro, N.S. B2N 5E5
Phone 902-895-1179
www.asforestry.com

Breton Forest Innovation Cooperative
Middle River, N.S.

The hills are alive with passionate bird song, the buzzing of insect frenzy, and the dens of new generations as Unama’ki awakens. So too are the budding opportunities at the Breton Forest Innovation Cooperative. Our “100-kilometre Forest” model has embarked on connecting community to the forest through a housing initiative with small structures, which we are coining “CB Pods.” We have begun construction on our first version of tiny homes that will address the growing issue of the lack of affordable housing in Cape Breton for seasonal workers and artisans in residence. This housing issue remains a barrier to the retention of the new folks we are attracting to our community. We are striving to remove these barriers while encouraging forest producers, designers, and construction specialists to keep their wares and creations local. We really do aim to meet our “from the forest floor to your door’’ mandate. Our first design is only one of many that we hope to construct, one that opens a direct market stream for our members to sell forest products for dimensional lumber and character pieces that will form the backbone of these comfortable structures that will allow folks to come to, stay in, and continue to grow our community.

Our CB Pod movement is the second leg of the sustainability stool the cooperative is supporting. Combined with our live-edge hardwood slabs that can be used for creating gorgeous custom countertops, furniture, or trim, we are now well on our way towards that goal. We are also working on bridging the gap in waste or residual stream utilization. To be completely sustainable in our practises, it is important to utilize all products along the consumption chain: raw, constructed, and residual (material left over from the production of all these creations). With the purchase of a large chipper, we now can turn our waste into a source for small-scale wood-chip heating, landscape materials, and charcoal.

Charcoal that is formulated scientifically offers an opportunity into many markets. The process, known as pyrolysis, produces three products: charcoal, pyrolysis oils (similar to biodiesel), and heat. In agricultural applications, this charcoal, known as biochar, can be used as a soil amendment that increases soil pH (aiding in alkalization), increases moisture retention, increases carbon sequestration, increases nutrient exchange capabilities, and once inoculated, offers specialized fertility based on targeted needs. Charcoal can also be used in environmental remediation for water and wastewater treatment, as well as absorption of petroleum and other toxins. This unique product is also utilized in the cosmetics, health, and toiletry industries.

We are currently working directly with Cape Breton University on research and development of our product sets, and are hoping to add other community partners to access underutilized fuel stocks to turn residuals into value-added products. Pyrolysis oils can be used in the same way biodiesel is used, including in home heating units, and in diesel engines, with a few retrofits. Our aim is to harness the steam to heat our buildings, and ultimately to pre-heat our kiln and perhaps a future nursery. This utilization will form the third and final leg of our forest sustainability stool. We are very proud to be moving in the direction of growing our bio-economy for many generations to come.

We always have room for more folks! Whether you are a forest owner, silviculturist, mill owner, woodworker, precision builder, or architect, or if you want to help us in any way towards supporting local forest ecosystems and rural community development, we would love to hear from you. Investing in the cooperative is tax deductible, and we aim to support our entire community. It is best to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or our website, www.bretonforest.org, for all upcoming events, featured members, products for sale, and opportunities to invest in healthy forests.

Stacie Carroll
Business Development Coordinator, BFIC
Email: stacie@bretonforest.org
Phone: 902-957-2947
www.bretonforest.org

Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Truro, N.S.

The Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners held its 20th annual meeting on May 25. For those who missed it, there were some very interesting presentations.

After the business meeting, Chief Andrea Paul, of Pictou Landing First Nation, explained her perspective, and that of the band’s elders, on the closure of Boat Harbour. She was followed by Bruce Chapman, of Northern Pulp, who made a very informative presentation of the history of the mill, leading up to where we are today. Many questions and lively discussions followed these two presentations.

We next had a presentation by Peter and Carol Spicer, who were Woodland Owners of the Year in 2017. They work full-time on their woodlots, and take great care to ensure they remain sustainable.

We would like to thank outgoing directors Jim Crooker and Arcade Comeau, who were both representing the western end of the province. We would also like to welcome at this time two new directors: Mike Harlow, of Bridgewater; and David Thomas, of Digby County.

I would like to say a few words about the national voice of private Canadian woodlot owners – the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners. They have done a lot of important things for woodlot owners at the federal level. Changes have been made on the intergenerational tax situation. There is currently an effort underway to set up a silviculture savings plan that will let owners invest in their woodlots and reduce payment of certain taxes. As your only provincial representative on the Canadian Federation, we urge you to join us. Learn more about your woodlot. Network with other owners. Join us on a field day in your area.

We also urge you to check out our Facebook page and visit our website, and stay tuned for upcoming events!

Until next time.

Mike Gillis
Secretary Treasurer,
Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners
Phone 1-844-966-3568
www.fnswo.ca

New Brunswick Federation of Woodlot Owners
Fredericton, N.B.

As I sit to write this, I have just come from an interview about Peter deMarsh, and am thinking about tomorrow’s memorial service (June 1) and the legacy that Peter has left. I am thinking about how far we have come, and at the same time how little things have changed in the private woodlot sector during the last 50 years.

Forestry as an industry has seen tremendous change since the inception of marketing boards in New Brunswick. Gone are the days when most woodlot owners worked their own woodlot and were the major contributors of wood. Now most of the wood is harvested by a few contractors with large machines, and the number of processing facilities has decreased.

The shift away from individuals being very self-sufficient and locally focused is often seen as progress, but I would question if that is truly the case. Individuals have given their power to corporations. Corporations have become the new ruling class – and unlike in olden times, the corporations do not live in your community. They may or may not contribute to your community or care about your community. In the case of multinational companies or international companies, the shareholders may have no idea where your community is or what your community is like. They are concerned about the bottom line and how that impacts them, because that is what they know and feel. It is hard to care about people you do not know or who have a different set of beliefs. Understanding leads to compassion and willingness to compromise. With large corporations, there is no opportunity for grassroots organizations or individuals to put forth their reality or to have discussions with shareholders in order to put forth their positions, and therefore their voices are not heard. There is value in local businesses and business owners who live in your community and who are impacted by the same things as you are.

Marketing boards were formed to provide all woodlot owners with better access to markets and a fair price. They are designed to treat all woodlot owners the same, regardless of size, and are committed to upholding this principle. As is often the case, however, some individuals feel that they no longer need marketing boards. They think they are big enough to make it on their own and are no longer committed to the group. They no longer see themselves as one of the many, but rather one of the few. This is very unfortunate, as we are meant to help and support each other. Betterment of our communities, and woodlot owners in general, is fundamentally what marketing boards are working toward. This would seem to be an idea well worth supporting.

The challenge for marketing boards is that they have not been very successful in maintaining equitable market access and fair prices. This is not from lack of trying, and I would ask you to consider how much worse it may be if they had not been working on your behalf all this time. Jurisdictions without marketing boards are quite envious of our system, and perhaps that should serve as a reminder that we have forgotten their value or become complacent with what we have. The fundamental reason for the formation of marketing boards still exists, and the need for an organization to work for individual woodlot owners has only grown since the inception of marketing boards.

As we remember Peter deMarsh – and all that he did in support of marketing boards, rural communities, and the rights of the little guy – I would ask us all to recommit to these enduring principles, and take up the reins that Peter has had to relinquish. It is up to all of us to work harder and continue the work that Peter dedicated his life to.

To celebrate Peter’s legacy and continue his important work, the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners has created the Peter deMarsh Memorial Award. With enough support, it will provide bursaries for eligible Canadian or international graduate students who are conducting research at a Canadian University on rural community development, woodlot owners’ associations, or the role of woodlot owners in helping to solve pressing local, national, and international issues relating to equality, opportunity, and sustainability. As well, the Canadian Federation hopes to be able to provide financial support for representatives of grassroots community organizations in Canada and internationally to attend international conferences on developing rural communities through forestry.

Join us as we work to support the next generation of students and rural community organizations that embody Peter’s spirit and commitment to rural development and environmental sustainability.

If you are interested in making a contribution to the Peter deMarsh Memorial Education Award, three options are possible:

Make a payment through GoFundMe.com by searching for “Peter deMarsh.”

Send a cheque, payable to the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners, to 555 Boulevard Roland-Therrien, Longueuil, Québec J4H 4E7.

If you wish to receive a receipt for income-tax purposes, make your cheque payable to UPA-Développement international, and send it to the Canadian Federation of Woodlot Owners.

Susannah Banks
Executive Director, NBFWO
Phone 506-459-2990
Email nbfwo@aibn.com
nbwoodlotowners.ca

Nova Lumberjacks Society
Truro, N.S.

To say our group has been having a flat-out winter and spring would be an understatement. On top of organizing our two massive premiere sporting events (the 2019 Nova Scotia Lumberjack Championships, July 6-7, in Barrington, N.S.; and the 2019 Canadian Axe Throwing Championships, August 24-25, in Liverpool, N.S.), we have also been helping with a major fundraising effort to send a team of Canadian axe throwers to the World Championships!

Ten Canadian athletes from across the country will head to Hällefors, Sweden, in August with our nation’s flag draped across their shoulders. The team is made up of eight Nova Scotian throwers, as well as one from New Brunswick and one from British Columbia. It is a co-ed team, comprising three women (including captain Cynthia Kennedy) and seven men. Everyone in the group chosen had strong showings at last year’s Canadian Axe Throwing Championships, including the top male and female Canadian throwers from that event – Karl Bischoff and Tess Billings. Team Canada is certainly capable of producing strong results at the World Championships, and we wish them all the best!

To support the cost of the team’s travel, NLS, with the help of Timber Lounge and Wild Axe Productions, has been helping to organize and administer fundraisers. This includes axe throwing pop-up events for the public, selling homemade cooking spices and cotton candy, a silent auction, running a GoFundMe page for the team, and finding team sponsorships from businesses. If you are interested in being a part of Team Canada’s journey to the World Championships, please reach out to us.

If you’re interested in learning more about our organization, our events, or how you can get involved in any of our initiatives, visit our website or send us an email.

Stay sharp, folks!

Ryan McIntyre
Vice President, Nova Lumberjacks Society
novalumberjacks@gmail.com
www.novalumberjacks.com