To be held Feb. 21st, the theme is What your Forest can do for you.
Touching on topics including marketing your forest products, vernal pools, how technology in the forest can be fun, the creation of the Larose forest, and the challenges forest practitioners face around educating the public on sustainable forest management. The conference will also feature forestry exhibits along with Ask an Expert, chainsaw raffle, and much more.
Keynote Address – This year’s keynote speaker is Mark Kuhlberg, Laurentian University, Associate Professor and Director of the MA History program.
“Ask not what your forests can do for you, but what you can do for your forests: Dispelling public myths about forestry and our forests”
Mark will discuss one of the greatest challenges that forest practitioners face in educating the public about our sustainable forestry practices and that cutting trees shouldn’t always be viewed negatively. They often find themselves justifying their chosen profession even though we use forest products in many facets of our lives, and they are often a more sustainable option when compared to other materials. Mark uses his personal journey (he grew up in Toronto’s concrete jungle but then began tree planting when he was 18 years old) and his research into forest history to suggest ways in which the audience members can help dispel the many myths and misconceptions the general public holds about our forests and the people who manage them.
Other program highlights include…
Technology in the Woodlot: Creating Your Biodiversity Inventory forests: Dispelling public myths about forestry and our forests – Ian Fife, Ontario Forest Birds at Risk Program Coordinator at Bird Studies Canada
Larose Forest: From Desert to Diverse Forest – Steve Hunter, United Counties of Prescott & Russell
No Mere Puddles: Vernal Pools are Vital Habitat – Shaun Thompson, Ecologist
Marketing Forest Products – (Speaker to be announced)
Registration in advance is required by February 14, 2020. The registration fee is $35 and includes refreshments and lunch. You can register and pay by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal by visiting the Eastern Ontario Model Forest website or by calling (613) 713-1525. Full conference agenda.