Nova Scotia Forestry Association and Nova Scotia Envirothon
In Nova Scotia, small private woodland owners hold title to over half of the province’s forests. However, most private woodlots are not managed to the highest environmental standards.
Forest NS serves over 600 members including sm & lg private landowners/managers; Christmas tree growers; silviculture, trucking and harvesting contractors; pellet mills; HW and SW sawmills.
The Association
In the 1970’s, woodlot owners fought an arduous battle to be recognized as equal partners in Nova Scotia’s forest sector. It was only through idealism, selfless dedication and personal sacrifice that woodlot owners achieved their goal.
Today, the Association works to ensure that small woodlots have a voice at the provincial level. This includes advising government on short-term initiatives and longer-term approaches to support an ecologically sustainable forestry sector.
The transition team is presently advising government on short-term actions to help those in the industry and their families, as well as suggesting longer-term and innovative ways to support an ecologically sustainable forest sector.
Membership
Whether they are veterans or novice foresters, small or large landowners, the MLB’s members share a common interest in one of our most valuable natural resources. They are people who care about the future of our forests and value a professional, responsible approach to their management.
The NSFA promotes the interests of the province’s 42,000 private woodlot owners through advocacy, education and public relations. They work to balance economic realities, community concerns and environmental values in their stewardship of our forestland.
Membership is based on the calendar year January - December and is not prorated. Members are eligible for specialized property insurance to meet their specific needs at group rates. Membership also includes the opportunity to attend bi-monthly meetings of the Maritime Lumber Bureau and the FPANS annual meeting and convention. Those with RPFANS credentials can also join the NESAF Yankee Division (CT, MA, NH, and RI), Green Mountain Division (VT) or Granite State Division (ME and NH). These divisions host the annual NESAF meeting every four years.
Meetings
A renowned public speaker and a strong advocate for small private woodlot owners John Roblee brought vision, commitment and shrewd understanding of the relationships of land ownership. His efforts helped establish community based Group Venture Associations providing technical assistance and marketing savvy to woodlot owner groups throughout the province. He also represented woodland owners on federal and provincial Forest Technical Advisory Committees bringing a voice for their concerns and objectives.
2023 NARGS Convention: Rocks, Plants, Habitats
Held at the Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus in Truro, Nova Scotia. This event is expected to attract rock garden enthusiasts from across the region and beyond. Presentations by experts in the fields of botany, ecology and horticulture are planned as well as time to explore the world-class rock garden at the Agricultural Campus.
Events
The NSFA is proud to once again host the Nova Scotia Envirothon program. Envirothon is North America’s largest and fastest-growing environmental education program for high school students. Envirothon provides young people with the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills in forestry, wildlife, soils, water and current environmental issues.
The event will be held at Memory Lane Heritage Village and will run from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The event is a showcase of the many ways Nova Scotians connect to our forests for their livelihood, housing, recreation, food, and heritage. It also features hands on demonstrations and activities and ends with the Golden Axe-throwing Competition where local businesses compete axe-to-axe to see who has the chops!
John Roblee was a tireless champion for small private woodlot owners. He helped develop community-based Group Venture Associations and represented woodland owners on provincial and federal Forest Technical Advisory Committees. He was an early proponent of professional forester designation and felt personally rewarded when it was established as law in 1999.