Forestry   

Forest and wooded  lands cover some 78% of Nova Scotia's  5.5 million hectares of  land area.  These forest provide many social, environmental and economic values  such as cultural landscapes, recreational opportunites, wood, wildlife habitat clean air and water, fibre and timber products and non-timber products  such as mushrooms and medicinal plants.  To ensure  that these  values continue to benefit the province ant is citzens it is important that our forests are managed  in a sustainable and holistic manner

. General Forest Technical Knowledge 

• Major Trees of  Nova Scotia
• Key out and identify the major trees of Nova Scotia by bark, leaves, or twigs 
• Economic/environmental or cultural values of each major tree species
• Forest land ownership categories and percentages 
• Contribution to Provincial Economy, Employment, Exports 
• Forestry Terms: see Glossary 
    
  Forestry Field Science
  Reading forest type maps (Land description) 
  • Reading aerial photographs to identify geographic features and forest stand types
  • Forestry measurement equipment –compass, prism, increment borer, clinometer,    diameter- tape.
  • Age a  tree  using an increment borer or tree cookie
  • Safety Equipment – boots,  first aid,  safety glasses, chain saw pants.
  Sustainable Forest Management Planning and Practices
  • Forest Ecosystem Classification
  • Typical Forest Stand Types ( Softwood, Mixwood, Hardwood)
  • Harvesting techniques (methods) and where /why selected
  • Regeneration and tending methods ( site preparation, planting, natural regeneration, spacing, thinning)
  Best Management  Practice -  BMP’S for protection of soil and water resources
  • Impacts  of certification on  sustainable forest management
  Protection of Nova Scotia Forests
  • Provincial Regulations concerning the forestry industry ( Forest Sustainability Regulations, Wildlife Habitat and Watercourse Protection regulations, Fire Protection Regulations)
  • Federal, Provincial, Industry  and Woodlot Owner Organizations that manage  forestry resources. 

  Canon Envirothon   Learning Objectives 

Investigate Nova Scotia by:
• Identifying, comparing and contrasting the relationships of flora, fauna, in various different forest condition types.
• Identifying strategies to mitigate anthropogenic stresses on the forest and also how to restore compromised forest ecosystems back to their natural condition.

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