Provincially funded program helps owners learn more about managing their forests
There are about 23,000 small woodlot owners in Nova Scotia. Research has shown that many are keenly interested in sustainably managing their woodlands, but do not know how to start.
The Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association (NSWOOA) is offering a program especially for them. With financial support from the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources, a forester from NSWOOA will visit 100 small woodlots over the next eight months to talk with landowners about their land.
Visits will be offered to landowners who are interested in active woodlot management for the first time; want to explore alternatives to clear-cut timber harvesting; and want to learn how to access to silviculture funding.
Stephen Cole of Middleton, the NSWOOA forester, will spend a half-day in the woods with each owner. Participants will receive:
A summary report about opportunities in the woodlot that are consistent with the owner’s own values, objectives, and goals;
- The most current aerial photograph of the land
- An introductory membership in NSWOOA; and
- A list of resources and service providers for woodlot owners.
Because the expense is underwritten by the province, the cost to the landowner is just $25. If you want more information about the project, please contact Stephen Cole at 902-309-1062 or bradcole500(@)gmail.com (you will have to remove the “()” around the @ symbol).
Founded in 1969, NSWOOA is the oldest independent organization of small forest landowners in the province. A non-profit society, its mission is to support woodlot owners in sustainable forestry through education, demonstration, marketing, and cooperation. Truly sustainable forestry requires that all the values of our woodlands – ecological, social, cultural, and economic – be preserved for future generations. NSWOOA believes that forest practices should mimic natural processes in the native Acadian Forest.
Management that favors the growth of high-quality trees of our longest-lived, most valuable species offers the best opportunity to realize timber value while restoring forest conditions to a more natural (and desirable) state. The association believes that compromising ecological integrity for short-term considerations will inevitably have a negative impact on forest use by future generations.
To learn more about the association, visit www.nswooa.ca
NS Crown Land Leasing Opportunity
After several months of hard work by the great people at the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources in collaboration with
MPANS we are happy to announce that a few blocks of Crown land are now up for tender specifically for maple syrup production.
This message is to inform you that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a tender through the Public Tenders Office (PTO) for Request-for-Proposals to lease Crown lands to produce maple sugar products at four sites located in Cumberland and Colchester Counties. fewblocks of Crown land are up for tender specifically for maple syrup production. Please read below for more information.
Details of the opportunities can be found by visiting the PTO and searching for RFP #60145519
http://www.gov.ns.ca/tenders/tenders/ns-tenders.aspx?id=60145519
Maple Tender RFP Objectives
The primary objective of this RFP is to attract qualified operators who will lease Crown land for the purpose of developing and maintaining an operation for the collection and processing of maple sugar products.
DNR is seeking to enter into long-term land leasing agreements with individuals or organizations to harvest maple sugar resources on each of the following four (4) Crown land sites in Cumberland and Colchester Counties:
• Rodney – Cumberland County
• Leamington 1 – Cumberland County
• Leamington 2 – Cumberland County
• Folly Lake – Colchester County
Project Schedule
Below is the approximate schedule that is expected to be followed for this RFP. However, this may be subject to change and is therefore presented primarily for guidance:
• Posting the RFP: February 28, 2013
• RFP Responses Due: April 30, 2013
• Successful Proponent(s) Notified: May 30, 2013
• Lease Agreement Signoff: July 1, 2013
Tags: Crown Land, Maple Information, Maple Syrup, production
2013 AGM
Despite a little snow the 2013 AGM was a success. The new Nova Scotia maple research programme was launched and a great panel discussion took place on possible research topics.
Tags: Maple Information, Maple Syrup, Minister of Agriculture, MRSC, research
New Maple Research Programme
Maple industry is a key primary agricultural industry and contributes significantly to rural sustainability and the Nova Scotia economy. To sustain and move the industry to the future and to be competitive, a strong Research and Development programme is critical. We constituted a Maple Research Programme Steering Committee, Co-chaired by Robert Frame (MPANS) and Raj Lada (Dalhousie University). Dale McIsaac (Perennia) serves as the Secretary. We are in the process of establishing the Maple Research Programme at Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus. Please click here for more information
Tags: Maple Syrup, maple tree, Quality, research, sap, yields
Best Management Practices for Maple Syrup Producers in Nova Scotia
MPANS with help from Agrapoint has produced a new and improved best management practices for maple syrup producers in Nova Scotia.
First published in early, 2007, the Best Management Practices for Maple Syrup Producers in Nova Scotia, is a simple yet comprehensive document outlining
best practices to ensure your maple operations run smoothly, effectively and safely. It is important for sugar makers to
remember that they are making food and at every step of the process, from tapping to labeling finished product, care should be taken as to ensure the highest quality, safest product is produced.
MPANS encourages all maple producers in Nova Scotia to download a copy and become knowledgeable with the best management practices for producing maple syrup. Following this guide is also a great way to ensure the maple syrup and maple products you make are high quality and delicious.
A copy of the Best Management Practices for Maple Syrup Producers in Nova Scotia can be downloaded here.
Tags: Food Safety, Maple Syrup, Quality
