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Summer #1 2017 • Vol. 21 #4

B.C. Test Drives a New Silviculture Strategy

Integrated silviculture strategies plans, landscape fire management plans, species-at- it and this is what happens if a fire comes through and take a big picture approach to the risk recovery plans, forest, guide outfitter, trapper then you grow that tree to the model and that was it.’ and range tenure holder rights, and climate change It was very basic,” says Hancock. “This is not. The provinces entire timber supply area factors. The Ministry calls it a “landscape level” big models runs we do are much more involved and the

BY JOHN THOMSON picture approach. inputs we have are a lot more detailed.” “The Type 4 silviculture strategies were really Eight of the province’s 38 TSA’s are presently testing otivated by changing priorities and a desire focused on the mountain pine beetle areas,” says ISS. The Mackenzie timber supply area is involved for more clarity, BC’s Ministry of Forests, Lorne Bedford, Deputy Director, Resource Practices because of a spruce beetle infestation that escalated Lands and Natural Resource Operations Branch at the MFLNRO. “We wanted to invest in the in 2014. M mountain pine beetle areas and we wanted to make “They don’t actually bore into the wood of the tree,” has been rolling out a new initiative called Integrated Silviculture Strategies, or ISS, in selected regions sure we were doing that strategically, what’s the best says Hancock. “They’re on the underside of the bark. across the province. For decades, the Ministry has tied treatment and what’s the best area for us to do that? If you peel the bark off, that’s where the beetles are.” its four silviculture models to outcomes. These models With Integrated Silviculture Strategies we said rather Hancock attributes the infestation to the severe wind have evolved, and continue to evolve, according to than just looking at the investment, we can look at storms of 2010. “They prefer recently blown down, conditions. Type 1, for instance, emphasized spacing, doing scenario analysis for different values. Basically large diameter spruce trees,” he says. “They can build fertilization and pruning. Type 2 tested various funding it’s to give decision makers more information.” as population in those blown down trees and when and treatment scenarios and their impact on timber “It’s not necessarily focused on the use of the timber. they’ve basically eaten themselves out of house and supply. Type 3 strategies elevated habitat as a key It’s focused just as much on non-timber uses,” adds home, they look for standing timber.” objective and the Type 4 model was predicated by the Darren Hancock, Resource Manager, Mackenzie Global warming has exacerbated the problem. mountain pine beetle problem. Integrated Silviculture Natural Resource District. Located in the north-eastern Whereas the mountain pine beetle moves from tree Strategies is a continuation of that evolutionary part of the province, Mackenzie is the fourth largest to tree once a year, the spruce beetle is generally on a process with one major difference. Rather than look timber supply area in the province. The dominant two-year cycle, meaning there’s time to deal with the at specific blocks and specific problems within that species are lodgepole pine and white spruce. problem before they move again. “But we’re finding block, ISS addresses the entire timber supply area. “In the past it was ‘this is a spruce tree in the north and this is how it grows and this is when we harvest That includes everything - forest health management Continued on page 3 Silviculture & INSIDE Women In Wood A full crop Repairing the damage Reforestation Networking group branches out Nurseries continue to grow at capacity Urban planting a focus in Fort Mac Page 8 Page 10 Page 16 Tim Hortons proudly supports the forest industry Silviculture strategy Continued from page 1 small patch clearcuts or selective harvesting or partial implemented. After all, ISS is a guideline, a suggestion, retention so that we’re taking some infested trees and and it’s left up to the discretion of the district manager now because of climate change, these beetles are maybe some blowdown and leaving everything else to follow through. accelerating their life cycle and putting themselves and when you do that it has appositive impact on “It’s not a directive for licensees or government on a one year cycle,” he says. wildlife and riparian and all the other things. It also to follow, says MFLNRO Resource Branch Deputy As a result, contractors have been taking out green, includes establishing windfi rm edges on cut blocks, Director Lorne Bedford. “It’s just more known attacked trees as a matter of course. Approximately 1.7 not the long, straight lines like we used to see in the information. percent of the region, or 156,000 of approximately nine ‘90’s and then leaving larger buff ers on areas where The Ministry says ISS is another tool in toolbox and million hectares are aff ected but Hancock is quick to the spruce trees may have poor rooting. Those are the may be introduced to other TSA’s depending on the point out that fi gure is a guestimate because it’s based things we’ve included in our model runs of our ISS.” results of the present roll-out. on fl y-overs and not confi rmed by ground surveys. Will this address the problem? The ISS is more “We’re seeing what we can learn,” says Bedford. Nevertheless, the Ministry has declared the region a nuanced but it’s also riskier. “What are the real benefi ts, how will this information forest health emergency or epidemic. “Correct. It’s a big concern and it happened in the be used and then we’ll see where we go from there.” Since Hancock is in charge of overseeing the region’s mountain pine beetle days ISS, he has a chance to try a new approach. too. We had all these small “We don’t want to harvest the way we’ve done in patches and we thought we the past,” he says. “We’re introducing things like got it all and we went back the next year and we missed SERCO 8500 TRUCK MOUNT two trees.” At the moment contractors H.J. SEARSON LTD are collecting data and running Eganville, ON computer models. Their work (613) 628-2217 won’t be completed until December of this year or possibly next March. And Hancock’s desire to adopt a more inclusive approach UNIT: JOHN GREGOIRE, HEYDEN, ONTARIO to harvesting may not be

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 3 - Summer #1- 2017 The Working Forest Box 138 Stn Main Publisher: Miles Causey Production: Brett Hanson Editor: Brett Hanson is published North Bay, ON • P1B 8G8 Sales: Brett Vezina 8 times a year by 1-877-869-0588 Writers: Robin Brunet Loretta Causey 1905058 Ontario Inc. www.workingforest.com Shaun Leslie Turriff Publication #41048506 John Thomson Michelle Sabourin email: [email protected] Cartoon: 2 year subscription - $35 +hst Brett Hanson Brett Hanson 3 year subscription - $50 +hst Accounts: Miles Causey

EDITORIAL

With spring comes tree planting and with tree planting comes the opportunity for a Working Forest fi eld trip. As is tradition The Working Forest was graciously allowed to interrupt the hardworking tree planters at our local SFL; North Bay, Ontario’s Nipissing Forest. Thanks to the kind guidance of Nipissing Forest Management Inc. silvicultural forester Andree Morneault The Working Forest was directed to the planter’s location deep in the forest in what is known as the McConnell Lakes area. It’s always a pleasure to visit the blocks and chat with planters. Without fail they are always friendly, talkative and ready to take a break from the hustle to pose for photos. For some reason this is continually surprising because for tree planters time literally is money. It’s always interesting to hear the planter’s stories of where they come from and why they subject themselves to the hardships of planting. Many are university and college students but others are committed planters that keep coming back year after year and treasured few are making a career out of it. The Heritage Reforestation crew boss we encountered that day was one such individual. Nate Sweezie is a four year vet who in the off season works as a mechanic for HRI (See page 14). He spends the winter putting the atv’s and trucks back together after a summer of brutal treatment from the work environment and rookie planters. This year, as every year, The Working Forest congratulates those dirty, sweaty, committed and determined planters for their tireless eff orts. See you next year. Planters just keep on planting Comments from the web

Re: Softwood lumber aid package likely attempt to resurrect the Transpacifi c Trade impose the 30% duty on softwood lumber, to go to cabinet Tuesday Pact Non of these countries are concerned that way we keep the duty money here. Canada’s future as a global trading Nation that our forest industry has a subsidized What leg would the US stand on then, this is dependent on actively seeking out log supply The future of a vibrant forest way at least we can kiss ourselves on each markets for our forest products in countries industry lies beyond the US border. cheek instead of it Brit piped up or posterior other than the US Greg Lay by th US. A program of subsidies for wood products Main problem, Jimmy Carter, I understand manufacturers oriented to aggressively Re: Softwood lumber: The never- is the single largest private owner of Forest assisting them to access markets in Asia ending battle Lands in the U.S., if so, very interesting!! and the Middle East Why doesn’t the Federal Government say Harold Lavack It appears Canada is supporting an to the U.S., like they did before, Canada

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 4 - Summer #1- 2017 The direct seeding revival in western Canada

urrently, most of the harvested area in western Canada is reforested via natural regeneration Cor tree planting. There has been very little to no operational direct seeding in western Canada due to highly variable success in early direct seeding research. However, recent advances in seed application technology and knowledge have made it possible to achieve promising results, making direct seeding an alternative worth re-examining. This comes at a time when the current reforestation challenges posed by wildfi re, mountain pine beetle and salvage logging warrant the need for alternative regeneration strategies, as lack of seed source often makes these large-scale disturbances unsuitable for natural regeneration and costly to plant. FPInnovations’ research has focused on seeding simultaneously with mechanical site preparation as it is particularly well suited to the large-scale disturbances resulting from mountain pine beetle, salvage logging and wildfire. This reforestation strategy is cost-eff ective and can cover large areas quickly, at productivities ranging from 0.6 to 1 ha/h and for one-third to one-half the cost of tree planting. Higher stocking densities can be easily achieved with little added cost, making it ideal for stands susceptible to forest pests. The direct seeding season is also longer than for tree planting, and can thus help streamline silvicultural operations planning. Direct seeding does have disadvantages to consider. It can be a high-risk alternative, with germination success being highly dependent on uncontrollable external factors such as weather and seed predator populations during the seeding year. It requires larger amounts of seed and has longer stand establishment timelines than tree planting, making it unsuitable for sites with time constraints such as potential for brush or grass competition. Variations in microsites can result in irregular seedling distribution and density, similar to naturally regenerated stands, which may require fi ll-planting or spacing. Because of these limitations, direct seeding may be a viable reforestation option for only a limited fraction of the total reforestation area in western Canada. FPInnovations’ direct seeding research started with seeding trials in 2011 and has evolved as better technology and better understanding of the treatment have become available. FPInnovations now monitors a total of 22 trial sites, most of them in B.C., in order to assess how diff erent factors, such as ecological zones, types of site preparation, tree species, seed treatments and seeding season, aff ect the end result. These trials have helped our members build the capacity necessary to incorporate direct seeding in silvicultural programs across western Canada. While direct seeding will not replace tree planting or natural regeneration in the future, it can be a very valuable tool for the silvicultural regeneration toolbox. Preliminary results have shown that a successful direct seeding program is possible with careful site selection and seed application. FPInnovations’ research trials continue to add to the knowledge and experience required for achieving successful results in a western Canadian context. For more information about FPInnovations’ direct seeding research, please contact Pamela Matute, Researcher in FPInnovations’ Fibre Supply group, at [email protected].

THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 5 - Summer #1 - 2017 Ottawa announces $867 million in softwood lumber aid

products and services, including loans and loan emissions and contribute to clean economic growth n June 1st Natural Resources Minister Jim guarantees under the Business Development Bank and jobs. This new funding will help the forest Carr unveiled the Canadian government’s of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada sector generate new business opportunities that can Ofinancial aid package for the softwood (EDC). help diversify its product portfolio and help position lumber industry. Along with Foreign Aff airs Minister EDC and BDC have stretched their market- Canada as a global leader in new technology areas. Chrystia Freeland and International Trade Minister based fi nancial and risk management solutions on Job Loss Mitigation Programming and Support Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister Carr said commercial terms that are available to forestry Employment and Social Development Canada ($9.5 “Our government recognizes the importance of businesses of all sizes and can assist viable companies million over four years) fi nding new markets for our forest products. By looking to make capital investments, expand market In order to help employers avoid layoffs and diversifying into a variety of markets, we will be less opportunities and diversify into new markets.‎ Funding retain skilled workers, Employment and Social vulnerable to actions from any one market and today for further loan guarantees may be considered by the Development Canada (ESDC) supports a Work- we stand with softwood companies, their employees Government in the future to address changing market Sharing program designed to help employers and and their communities to support good jobs to create conditions. employees when there is a temporary reduction in new opportunities and ensure sustainable prosperity Market and Product Diversifi cation the level of business activity. for generations to come.” Expanding Market Opportunities (EMO) Program This is not a wage subsidy program, but an existing The details of the Canadian government’s aid ($45 million over three years starting in 2017–18) program supplementing the income of Employment package are below. Natural Resources Canada’s Expanding Market Insurance eligible workers who work temporarily Action Plan on Softwood Lumber Opportunities program will increase and diversify reduced hours; it is a temporary measure to extend the Canada’s forest sector is a vital part of the Canadian market opportunities for Canada’s forest products maximum duration of Work-Sharing agreements from economy, and is crucial to the well being of many industry in off shore markets and expand wood use in 38 to 76 weeks to reduce layoff s and retain skilled communities that rely on it. The Government of non-residential and mid-rise construction. This new workers. These measures were also implemented Canada’s $867 million investment will support funding will provide much needed stability to this during the oil and gas sector challenges in 2016. affected workers and introduce loan guarantee industry/government partnership to further stimulate Worker and Community Support programs; reduce the risk of job losses and support new and existing markets for Canadian wood products Employment and Social Development Canada ($80 affected communities; and stabilize operations, at home and overseas. This program will continue million over two years) diversify markets and promote innovation in the its ongoing success in helping to expand markets Funding to provinces will be offered through sector. by encouraging the use of wood in construction to amended Labour Market Development Agreements Loans and Loan Guarantees sustain hundreds of thousands of good, middle-class that will help workers transition to new employment Financial and Risk Management Solutions (valued jobs in communities across our country. opportunities while Targeted Earnings Supplements at up to a combined $605 million) Investments in Forest Industry Transformation will provide workers with salary top-ups to help ease Companies can take advantage of expanded fi nancial (IFIT) and Forest Innovation Programs (FIP) transition to other fi elds of employment. (IFIT: $55 million over three years; FIP: $63 million Indigenous Forestry Initiative ($10 million over over three years, both starting in 2017–18) three years) Natural Resources Canada’s Investments in Forest Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Forestry Industry Transformation and Forest Innovation Initiative will support forest-based economic Programs have been extended to continue to position development for Indigenous communities across Serving woodlot owners and the forest industry since 1985 Canada’s forest sector at the forefront of the emerging Canada, by encouraging participation in the forest Woodlot Management bio-economy and reduce reliance on traditional sector by focusing on three thematic priority areas: Antigonish, Nova Scotia products. These programs help drive innovation from • clean technology and participation in the forest Harvesting 902-863-5508 research and development to commercialization and bio-economy; Seedling Production aim to support the development of new technologies • environmental stewardship; and Silviculture SCOTTANDSTEWART.COM and higher-value products that will reduce GHG • use and management of forest resources. This new funding will help the Indigenous Forestry Initiative continue its ongoing success in providing direct funding to Indigenous communities and organizations to support participation in economic development activities related to the forest sector.

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working forest-signal ad.indd 1 THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 6 - Summer3/5/13 #1 9:47 - AM 2017 Foresters adapt to changing climates

BY BRETT HANSON term, there is no such things as a win-win-win solution. much has changes in forestry as well as in the forester’s There are always complications and challenges.” profession. The profession continues to change and lot can change over the course of sixty years. In addition to the indoor presentations the conference adapt as the OPFA prepares for it’s next annual meeting. A fact that isn’t lost on the members of the delegates had the opportunity to get out into the forest. “As foresters, we have always been organized. The Ontario Professional Foresters Association. “The fi eld trips at this conference dealt with aspects fi rst Faculty of Forestry in Canada was established in A of forestry in southern Ontario; the urban forestry in 1907. At that time foresters recognized a need to get In May the Association held its 60th annual conference and general meeting in Guelph Ontario with a theme of the city of Guelph, private land forestry and forests together to collaborate and mentor each other.” “The OPFA at 60: Foresters in Changing Climates”. The managed by conservation authorities. Delegates saw “As with other occupations and professions, forestry theme focused not only environmental changes aff ecting how foresters play a role in protecting water quality, is getting more specialized. As the OPFA is moving the forest but also social, economic and technological mitigating fl ood responses managing forest carbon and ahead we are looking at developing specialties. We changes that professional foresters should be aware of. producing high value hardwood timber products ” Pinto are using the model that engineers use. All engineers OPFA Executive Director Fred Pinto explained that said. “The post conference workshop dealt with urban are called professional engineers but they have their those changes in our world need to be addressed with forestry. It provided training to professional foresters on own competencies whether its chemical engineering or members in part because foresters occupy a broad range systems that will allow them to engage more residents mechanical engineering or civil engineering. Similarly, of disciplines and positions. in their communities to play a role understanding with forestry we are called registered professional “A lot of time people think of forestry as just related what trees should be growing in their neighbourhoods. foresters but will have diff erent specialties. We are to Crown land forestry; the provincial government and We had people from the Ohio Department of Natural developing these standards and competencies with the forest products industry. It’s not the only forestry Resources come up and describe a system being used forestry regulators and educators across Canada.” sector. Our members work for First Nations, have their in their state.” The 61st OPFA annual conference and general meeting own business, supply services to private land owners, Over the course of the OPFA’s sixty year history will be held in May 2018 in Timmins, Ontario. not for profi t organizations as well as municipalities in urban forestry. All these sectors are growing and we have a shortage of professional foresters in Canada right now,” Pinto said. “There is a recognition that urban forests need to be managed so they protect ecosystems as well as serve people and protect the infrastructure people depend on for a modern lifestyle. We also have members managing public utilities such as hydro and pipeline corridors,” Pinto said. “Professional foresters integrate ecological principles into the technological infrastructure that is in place and this makes these utilities more resilient to events such as ice storms.” Some of the topics of the conference dealt directly with climate change and it’s positive and negative impacts on Canadian forests. Of particular note were discussions around issues relating to forest carbon. “Professional foresters have the skill necessary to analyse the long-term implications of forest carbon. There are diff erent pools of carbon in the forest which they need to be tracked and its very complicated. It is not Conference delegates got to understand the urban forest health monitoring program and a simplistic thing of saying cutting a tree releases carbon plantation/water supply management at the City of Guelph’s Arkell Springs property or putting forests into parks store carbon.” Pinto said. “We also looked at biodiversity. In Ontario on public land there is a legal requirement that all the living things in the forest will have a home now and in the future. Where exactly they live might change because nature is dynamic. That is one of the key areas where foresters are trained, they recognize that nature is dynamic, it isn’t static. You can’t lock it up in an area and put a fence around it.” FFT Charge Programs “A third area is the social aspect because values and •Silviculture • Natural Disturbance ideas change over time. 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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 7 - Summer #1 - 2017 Networking group focused on women in forestry

Women who work in with and network. Also, the logo is fun and people gravitate We have started to see that naturally happen. People toward it,” Kaknevicius said. are posting questions, jobs and interesting articles. It’s for the woods “We are seeing the group diversify across diff erent more active than we thought it would be.” BY BRETT HANSON sectors. One thing we would like to do is start getting Kaknevicius says the posts and conversations on the group range from technical questions about silviculture he image of the big bearded lumberjack in a techniques and advice on certifi cations to career advice plaid shirt is what many people outside the and mentorship to articles about gender diversity. Tindustry fi rst think of when they hear the word Mentorship is an important component of what forestry. The forest industry has traditionally been a Rose and Kaknevicius hope to achieve with Women male dominated one however that is a perception and In Wood; both mentorship from women who have a reality that is rapidly changing. shattered the glass ceiling and mentorship of women Two women who are tipping the scales of gender early in their careers, to girls who are interested in balance in forestry are Jessica Kaknevicius and entering a forest industry. Lacey Rose, RPF. Together the two have created the “We would love to run events that help to build networking group Women In Wood. women’s career possibilities. Whether that’s training, “Women in Wood is a networking group for women human resources and professional development that work in, with and for the woods. The premise or creating events for people to meet mentors,” is trying to connect women across Ontario and Kaknevicius said. nationally who work in forestry, woodworking, and “Encouraging young women to enter the industry is the conservation industry in general,” Kaknevicius a big part of it. For some of us we look to people who said. “It’s a way to collaborate across Canada to are in higher positions where there is a gap in terms bring women together to share their stories, to fi nd of women in CEO positions or at board room tables mentors and look for opportunities to connect with making really big decisions. We can look up and see other women.” those women out there and bring them out to inspire What started out as a conversation over a couple people early in their careers. Also, more importantly, of beers between Rose and Kaknevicius grew into a we in our current careers can inspire women that are Facebook group with over 200 members and a website in high school to enter these industries. featuring a blog and events. “It’s valuable to see the breadth of the careers. The “It’s been word of mouth growth. We started inviting an idea of who our members are by doing surveys forest is a life cycle and you can be in of any part of that people we knew to join the group and they started asking why they are there and what they want to get life cycle. I’m intrigued to start seeing conversations inviting people they knew and it grew from there. from the group. We would like to build it more into between urban foresters and traditional foresters or We see that there is defi nitely a need for this type of something driven by members instead of driven by us. wood workers and biologists.”

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 8 - Summer #1 - 2017 wood workers and biologists.” Through reading and conversations Kaknevicius has found that one of the challenges facing women in industry is how they are taught to grow. “Sometimes women are taught only the ‘soft skills’ in their industry. Sometimes there aren’t taught the ‘hard skills’ like business skills. Men tend to get mentored on the business side. We need to open up that possibility so women are in equal balance with what men are learning in the workforce,” Kaknevicius said. “Look at board diversity at the executive level in any industry and there is still a lack of women. How do work towards that? What are the skills that are needed to get there? Making it a priority that organizations realize that value of women. Tolko is doing some really good work making gender equality a priority in their business. Sometimes getting to the point where employers understand how important gender equality is can be very challenging.” (L-R) Jessica Kaknevicius and Lacey Rose “Its important for people to understand that women sometimes do feel isolated or part of the boy’s club. Its nice to feel like you provide just as much perspective and your voice will be heard at the table and not disregarded because you are woman or not as much experience. LINKING FUTURE FORESTS Historically women haven’t been brought up to those positions and it will take us a while to get there but I think its starting. We have some really amazing women TO COMMUNITIES in high up positions like Fay Johnson ‎Director of Forest Tenure at MNRF , MNR Assistant Deputy Minister Kathy Mcfadden and Kathy Abusow President and There’s a simple way you can ensure healthy forests for CEO of SFI and it provides inspiration for us.” generations to come while supporting the people and “Going forward we are talking a lot about partnering with other groups for events. We have a networking communities who depend on them. event during the Saw Tech Log Expo in Renfrew, Ontario in late June. It’s an opportunity for us to connect Choose the Sustainable Forestry to the industry but also putting a call out to local people ® to come meet other women in wood,” Kaknevicius Initiative (SFI) Standard for your said. “We are looking at partnering other industries and working forest. The actions we other groups. To see how we can work across diff erent take today determine the industries and groups to make sure we are all saying the same thing and supporting each other. Its boomed future of our forests quicker than we thought it would so we are catching up with the interest.” Learn more at sfi program.org.

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Stand Thinning Claim Staking Cone Broker Air Blast Spray Trailer Rentals Tree Planting Orchard Tending Line Cutting www.havemanbrothers.com THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 9 - Summer #1 - 2017 BY MICHAEL B. HUMBLE produces 200 million seedlings annually. Maxwell has products to Asia in general and particularly China,” been with PRT for 25 years. says Maxwell. “We saw a huge increase in the amounts espite growing uncertainty, business continues “Our biggest driver is really US housing starts,” China was buying in 2008. The amount they buy from to be good for Canadian nurseries. The says Maxwell. “These are headed back to long term Canada seems to have leveled off.” However, it remains DWorking Forest reached out to three seedling sustainability.” Maxwell notes, however, that Canadian an important market, according to Maxwell. PRT’s growers for a sense of how the industry is looking, and demand has remained flat. “Although a slight decline customers are also working hard to open new markets, what to expect in coming season. in BC demand has been offset by the other provinces,” which would help offset the effects of US duties on “Volumes are still gradually increasing from 2010, says Maxwell. softwood lumber, says Maxwell. which is when we really felt the 2008 downturn,” “The biggest problem on the horizon is the softwood Asked about ongoing labour concerns across the says Rob Maxwell, Vice President of Production for lumber dispute with the US. Our business is tied to forestry industry, Maxwell is optimistic. “For nurseries, PRT Growing Services Ltd. PRT is Canada’s biggest customers,” says Maxwell. “If our customers feel the skilled labour has always been a bit of an issue,” says containerised forest seedling producer. Based in BC, pinch, they lower harvests, and that means they lower Maxwell. “We hire out of forestry and horticultural PRT has nurseries in Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan their seedling orders.” PRT’s demand for sales in the schools, but those graduates don’t always think of the and the US. “Demand seems to be steady, and there is US looks steady, notes Maxwell. nursery industry when thinking about jobs. We really potential for our sites to remain full. We’re very close to “A big driver is the continued export of forest need to get ourselves out there to attract people.” At capacity. We’re full, for all intents and purposes.” PRT PRT, Maxwell notes that retirements are being filled without too much trouble. “We’re happy with that,” says Maxwell. “I suspect that all of our competitors are in the midst of a management turnover,” says Maxwell. “Succession is an ongoing situation in the industry. I also expect to see some consolidation in the industry as owner-operators retire.” “Labour for us is a regional issue,” says Maxwell. “It’s tied to local unemployment rates, and that sort of thing. Alberta is less of a challenge than it was, but the lower mainland is still a problem. “We just try to be competitive in pay, and make sure there’s some job satisfaction. “The forestry industry had such a hard time after 2008 that people left,” says Maxwell. “We need to try to get them back.” “Last year was good,” says says Scott Formaniuk, Contact CARDINAL with Coast to Coast Reforestation, in Edmonton, Alberta. Coast to Coast is Alberta’s largest supplier of the authorized MORBARK Dealer seedlings, and second largest in Canada. They sell to markets in Alberta, BC and Saskatchewan, including for Eastern Canada governments, oil and gas reclamation projects, and forestry companies. Coast to Coast grows 50 million seedlings a year. “There are some challenges with increased costs,” says Formaniuk. Coast to Coast’s nurseries are full, according to Formaniuk, operating at capacity, but increased costs have lowered margins, as prices haven’t caught up. “Cost challenges are increased minimum wage in Alberta, the carbon tax, and some labour standards issues that are up in the air,” says Formaniuk. “These government initiatives have all affected our cost structure.” Formaniuk notes that while the Alberta

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 10 - Summer #1 - 2017 government has granted an 80% carbon tax break to Allan Arthur, Senior Ecologist and President of St. kg per hectare, and no topsoil.” Even at an increased seedling nurseries and other agricultural business, it is Williams Nursery and Ecology Center, off ers a slightly cost per kg, the native seed mix, adapted perfectly to a temporary measure for now. “It does level the playing diff erent view of the seedling nursery industry. St. Ontario’s climate, saves input cost for companies and fi eld between us and competitors in BC, who get the Williams is Ontario’s largest source-identifi ed native municipalities. Maintenance is also lower in the long same carbon tax break from their government,” say plant nursery. St. Williams is unique in the nursery trade term. Formaniuk. However, BC has not committed to a $15 as the only major supplier that specializes exclusively For Arthur, challenges include the prevailing mindset dollar minimum wage, as Alberta has. “We compete with in native seed and plants for biodiversity conservation of the industry and lack of government support, although BC nurseries. A minimum wage diff erence across the of Ontario native wild-type plants. “In 2009, we moved he sees both as changing. “The regular forest industry provinces means they can bid lower,” says Formaniuk. away from the traditional production of seedlings get a lot of support from the government in terms of Asked about challenges, Formaniuk is frank. “I don’t for the forestry industry and started to focus on our planning coordination and species demand. We don’t,” think I’ve ever seen this much uncertainty.” One of current mission of conservation and biodiversity,” says Arthur. “We’re all alone in our coordination and the biggest sources of that uncertainty is the softwood says Arthur. The 2008 downturn made for a very planning. Plus, we’re growing larger plants. Two, three, lumber agreement. “The big forest product companies competitive environment, and St. Williams location even fi ve year lead times. Toronto can’t just call us and will ship less, harvest less, plant less,” says Formaniuk, in the south didn’t help. Now, St. Williams focuses on put in an order overnight.” Arthur notes that St. Williams echoing Maxwell’s concerns, and those of the forestry native seed mixes, mining site reclamation with native works closely with large clients to ensure planning is industry Canada-wide. Formaniuk is also waiting to plants, and larger native trees for urban landscaping. carried out far in advance. see if the BC government makes good on it’s climate “It was a good move. We’ve seen double digit growth “For the rest of the industry, a white pine is a white leadership plan. “They said they’d plant 300 thousand for fi ve or six years now,” says Arthur. “We defi nitely pine,” says Arthur, no matter if it came from Ontario, hectares for carbon sequestration. This would mean hit at the right time. 20 years ago, St. Williams as it Oregon, Tennessee or even Europe. “But with plans in increased tree orders,” says Formaniuk. Enough, even, is might not have worked. Nobody was talking about the works like assisted migration in response to climate to off set the downturn caused by the softwood lumber biodiversity, and conservation was largely in the hands change, we need to know where our plants are coming dispute. “But we need to wait until the fall, to see the of the government.” from, what the genetic make up is, to ensure the best seedling orders from the BC government. “It could go Arthur says that native plants in reclamation eff orts results.” either way,” says Formaniuk. “Bad, or really good.” have a twofold benefi t. “They’re more cost eff ective in However, increased public awareness about the One bright spot, according to Formaniuk is the ongoing the long run, and they’re better for the environment in importance of biodiversity and environmental issues Wildfi re Reclamation Program in Alberta. Forestry general,” says Arthur. Areas planted with native plant is good for St. Williams, as is increased government companies are funded by the Alberta government to mixes require less input in the planting stages and interest in native plants. reforest previously replanted cut blocks lost to wildfi res. perform better in marginal soils. The native ecosystem “Labour is not really an issue now, with the they develop is also more recession in Alberta and the price of oil being down,” resistant to invasive species says Formaniuk. While it had been a problem in the of plants. “Conventionally, past, increased unemployment means more available you might put down IT’S HERE! workers. “It’s still a labour intensive industry, with lots 100 kg of seed mix per of hours worked.” hectare, and need topsoil “Right now,” says Formaniuk, “is to wait and see. on top of that,” says Arthur. There are a lot of things coming down the pipeline, and “Native seed mix, you IT’S HERE! things could go either way.” need something like 10

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 11 - Summer #1 - 2017 of the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association (a actually grow our rate, possibly to the tune of hundreds recent amalgamation of the Western Silvicultural of millions of extra seedlings.” Contractors’ Association and the Consulting Foresters Betts adds, “The BC Liberals should also be credited BY ROBIN BRUNET of BC), agrees that the softwood dispute “darkens for creating the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, our horizon” – however, he is betting that many of which effectively renders these restoration initiatives the 70 active silviculture companies in his province immune from future budget or political issues.” espite their livelihood often being at the mercy will soon benefit from government initiatives such as Tetro is more guarded in her optimism about B.C.’s of provincial economies and sometimes the B.C. Climate Leadership Plan, which has allotted impending prospects. “Nothing has been secured Dindifferent governments, tree planters across $230 million to rehabilitate up to 300,000 hectares of yet – but we’re hopeful,” she says. “It’s important to Canada are faring well in 2017, with volumes holding sites impacted by the pine beetle and wildfires over keep in mind that not all the money earmarked by the steady – but optimism for the future is tempered by the first five years of the a wild card in the form of possible outcomes of the program. U.S./Canada softwood lumber dispute. Betts says, “For the Dave Haveman, general manager of Kakabeka Falls, past 4-5 years our Ontario-based Haveman Brothers, says, “For sure, industry on the west we’re concerned about how the dispute might be coast has been holding settled, and we have no idea how it will affect Canadian steady with an annual lumber. The only thing we’re keeping in mind is that planting rate of about these disputes have gone on for decades, with Canada 250 million seedlings; always coming out ahead.” however, due to the Judi Tetro, operations manager for Brinkman & softwood lumber dispute Associates Reforestation Ltd. (which plants about and other factors, we 50 million trees annually across the country), calls were beginning to worry the dispute “a big risk coming at us. However, it that 250 million would won’t impact in 2018: harvest volumes will be set. be our peak. But the Instead, we’ll see the impact in 2019. And this at least government programs, gives the tree planting industry some time to explore which already have diversification opportunities.” funding in place, give Meanwhile, in B.C., John Betts, executive director us enormous potential to Credit: Brinkman & Asociates SMOOTH

Andrew Betts cut his first load of pulp at the age of 13.When forestry started to slide downwards, he decided to move in to the construction side of the things, operating bull-dozers and excavators.

But, the desire to work in the forest again never left him.

When the forest industry made a shift upwards, Drew decided to jump back in with both feet…and jump back in he did!

Based out of Doaktown, New Brunswick, Clayhill Equipment was started in 2010 and operates mainly in the central New Brunswick forests.Today, Clayhill Equipment consists of three harvesters and two eight-wheel drive forwarders. One of which, the 2014 John Deere 753G with 8,000 hours, had a Log Max 6000B installed on it in the spring of 2016. Drew says his first experience with Log Max can be summed up like this:“With 3,000 hours on the head, I really don’t know much about it- I’ve re- placed one hose.We like how “smooth” it pulls the tree through the head and it has all the power and speed we need in the mixed stands. I call it the “wrenchless” head.We never touch it.”

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 12 - Summer #1 - 2017 planting industry until 2019 government will go to replanting: a lot will go to latter of which keeps us busy with lots of street tree the14 million it planted in 2015 due to favourable survey work, aerial drone work, and many other planting in the City of Toronto.” bidding outcomes) goes on to say, “Moving forward, elements of silviculture – and it’s anyone’s guess Tetro credits Toronto’s policy makers “For being we’re trying to get planting tree prices higher and whether the government programs will compensate very keen on expanding their urban canopy. It’s very work conditions more favourable, and we’re doing for an expected 10 percent drop in BC timber volumes forward thinking on their part – and of course good so by resisting the urge to accept the lowest common next year.” for planters.” denominator.” That said, Tetro concedes that west coast volumes Another challenge facing the industry is pricing. Betts summarizes the sentiment of his colleagues in have remained firm for some time now, as has been the Haveman explains, “Even though there are no end of other parts of Canada when he says, “Yes, there are no case in the Prairie provinces and Ontario. And if the trees to plant and relatively few contractors, pricing is end of challenges facing us. But they are matched by impact of the U.S./Canada softwood dispute won’t be very competitive, with the big players always looking an equal number of opportunities. Growing our sector felt until 2019, this gives replanting companies time for the lowest pricing due to them having to compete is a tall order, but I think it can be done with patience, to diversify – if they haven’t already done so. “For on the international market.” innovation, and a lot of hard work.” example, we at Brinkman also do boots on the ground Haveman, whose company will plant 4 million trees surveys, forest management, and urban forestry – the this year (a figure similar to 2016 but a far cry from

Credit: Brinkman & Asociates Credit: Brinkman & Asociates

PM 41048506

Fall/W inter #2 2015•Vol. BRINKMAN & ASSOCIATES 19 #7 REFORESTATION LTD.

Catalyst$3.00 + HSTcries foul over countervailing duty on paper Quality Forest Renewal Since 1970 PM 41048506 Canada’s #1 Forest Industry U.S. Department of Commerce alleges Port Hawesbury Paper Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia received an unfair subsidy of Cdn$ 125 million from the Nova Scotia government in receives unfair subsidy it down. order to restart its 2012 operations. The Coalition also A preliminary ruling in August upheld the Coalition’s BY JOHN THOMSON alleged the Port Hawkesbury plant received a favored allegations of subsidy and assessed a duty of 20.33 % .C.1 producer,9 #6 Catalyst Paper, has responded rate on its electricity and a reduced rate on its stumpage on Port Hawkesbury exports, 2.04% on Resolute and a fees. Although the initial complaint was spurred by duty of 11.02% on Catalyst and Irving under the heading Fall #1 2015 • Vol. swiftly to a U.S. Department of Commerce decision to uphold double-digit duties on its the Coalition’s dispute with its main competitor, Port “all others.” The “all others” figure was determined by B Hawkesbury Paper, Canada’s three other SC producers taking a weighted average of the duties applied to Port supercalendered paper exports to the American market. “Catalyst will request an expedited review immediately- Resolute, Irving and Catalyst – were also drawn into Hawkesbury and Resolute, a process, while contentious, after Commerce files its final report, likely December the fracas. is embedded in Section 705 of the Tariff Act. Catalyst 11,” says Len Posyniak, Senior Vice-President, Human “Underselling by all Canadian producers has long started paying duty in August as did the others. News Service Resources and Corporate Services. been a problem, because all Canadian producers In late October, the Department of Commerce Supercalendered paper is a high-grade, high quality receive subsidies,” Gilbert Kaplan, legal counsel for the made its final determination which not only upheld its uncoated paper favoured by magazines, directories and Coalition, argued before a Department of Commerce preliminary ruling but increased Catalyst’s duty, and advertising inserts. Catalyst produces 140,000 tonnes preliminary hearing in March 2015. “Fair competition Irving’s too, from 11.02% to 18.85%. of SC paper a year with almost all of it destined for the in the U.S. market is essential to the viability of the U.S. On November 18, in a separate and concurrent United States. It is one of four Canadian plants, and industry,” he continued. investigation by the International Trade Commission the only one in the western provinces, that produces Commerce began its investigation on April 3, on material injury, the ITC determined Canadian the specialty paper. Port Hawkesbury Paper resides in focussing on Canada’s two largest producers of SC imports were indeed harmful to American producers. Nova Scotia, Resolute Paper is based in Quebec and paper, Port Hawkesbury Paper and Resolute. The This decision gave Commerce the green light to issue governments of Canada, Nova Scotia and Quebec were a countervailing duty order and keep the assessment 2 YEARS (16 issues) - $35.00 plus hst Irving Paper lives in New Brunswick. The U.S. ruling, which includes all four plants, means the BC company also named as mandatory respondents. On April 9, on Catalyst at the previously determined October rate will continue paying 18.85% duty on its SC exports. A Commerce received a request from Catalyst asking to of 18.85% year ago, Catalyst was paying nothing. be included as a voluntary respondent. Catalyst repeated The dispute started earlier this year when The its request April 20. Ten days later, Commerce turned Coalition for Fair Paper Imports, a consortium of Continued on p a g e 6 American producers Madison Paper and Verso 15TH WoodWORKS! Awards INSIDE Highlights from Ontario’s best in wood Education and training edition 3 YEARS (24 issues) - $50.00 plus hst Paper, filed a complaint with the U.S. Department architecture and engineering Canadian colleges and universities offer a B.C. Wildfire service goes hightech of Commerce alleging the Canadian plant in Port Page 11 word class natural resources education Satellite-based imaging helps cut cost while keeping an eye on things can’t occur for a year. Plus, the U.S. is in thePage midst 14 of an election cycle, so an SLA is low priority for them.” In China, Christensen says Canada “Canada should PM 41048506 supply is decreasing and poses less of a market threat to Softwood lumber expiry; what comescapitalize next? on the opportunity to export both knowledge U.S. producers,” Christensen writes. “Prices have been page 21 full access to www.workingforest.com page 21 PLUS high enough that, until$3.00 very +recently, HST we were operating Continued on New report urges producers to outside of the agreement; with more housing starts in the intensify efforts to build new markets U.S., our southern neighbour needs to import our softwood lumber.” BY ROBIN BRUNET Christensen suggests that despite an hile the expiry of the SLA clause stipulating and weekly e-Newsletter Canada/U.S. Softwood that for one year following Lumber Agreement (SLA) the agreement’s expiry W neither country can Comprehensive heralds punishing tariffsSummer from a country #2 2015 • Vol. launch litigation against that buys two-thirds of our softwood the other, financial 19 #5 exports, some experts believe growing repercussions could opportunities in Korea, Vietnam, take effect immediately; To ensure that you continue to receive your own copy and other Asian countries could therefore, “Canada must compensate. take action to mitigate Naomi Christensen, author of Naomi Christensen this threat that goes Branching Out: Preparing for Life beyond seeking another Without a Softwood Lumber Agreement from the Canada West Foundation, SLA, especially since the U.S. has no urges producers to intensify their incentive to agree to one.” efforts to build markets in Asia as they did in China. Christensen told The Working Forest The policy analyst believes producers could even Newspaper that total reliance on the U.S. of The Working Forest, increase their market in Mexico, which imports much market would be a recipe for disaster, and SUBSCRIBE TODAY that “We should act now, because technically Forestry in eastern Quebec of its lumber from the U.S. that “We should act now, because technically INSIDE Modernization the key to In addition, Christensen says much can be done to got a bit of breathing room in that litigation competitiveness The future is now Page 17 improve value in trade with the U.S., such as enhancing Husqvarna unveils battery powered, the federal EMO program to utilize to build the 70 years of research bluetooth connectedPage 14 line of tools Great Lakes Forestry Centre marks a Silviculture Services Canadian brand; and continuing bi-national cooperation major milestone to increase softwood lumber demand. Page 7 The feasibility of these initiatives are supported by the argument that much has changed over the nine years Don’t miss out on the latest news in: that the latest SLA has been in place. “Canadian timber silviculture • logging • trucking • sawmilling • commercial Northern Ontario communities fight back thinning • government policies and priorities • new tech- Forestry town mayors resisting environmentalist misinformation Across Canada organizations like Greenpeace. “It’s like David and BY SHAUN LESLIE TURIFF Goliath,” says Canfield. An email from Greenpeace volunteer coordinator suggest that Ontario forests are being orthern Ontario Mayors, joined by their Aspa Tzaras lays out some of Greenpeace’s position: ‘deforested’ or ‘can’t defend themselves’ or Ontario’s “By sourcing vast amounts of paper from the Boreal nologies and equipment • education and training • safety • counterparts from Quebec, have begun to forests are under threat, is patently false and misleading.” Npush back against environmentalist groups and Resolute, Best Buy risks trashing ancient forests Canfield suggests that the message of environmentalist they say are making false claims and dangerously for throw away flyers. This is bad news for our climate, groups is one “born out of ideology and ignorance. misinformed statements about the sustainability of the bad news for creatures that live in the Boreal like the These groups talk the talk, but they don’t walk the forestry industry in Canada’s boreal forests. Primary woodland caribou, and bad news for the health and walk. They don’t live here; they’ve never been here. among these environmentalist groups is Greenpeace, diversity of Canada’s ancient forests.” The email further We live, play and work here in these forests. These although forestry company Resolute Forest Products urges volunteers to post false product reviews on Best Softwood Lumber • and many other resource issues • forests are our home, and our future. We are the real has recently come under fire from ForestEthics, another Buy’s web site, asking that they “Be creative and make environmentalists here.” radical environmentalist group. sure to weave in the campaign issues!” Greenpeace has a long record of flip flopping its Peter Politis, Mayor of Cochrane, Ontario, is one Recent studies made by the Ontario Government position on issues, in order to suit its ideological needs. of the Northern Ontario Mayors at the forefront of suggest that the situation of the caribou is more While Greenpeace spokesperson Richard Brooks is on the campaign to right some of the environmentalist’s complicated that Greenpeace would like to allow. “In record as saying that Greenpeace is not against jobs wrongs. “Greenpeace is definitely the flagship but reality, the best perspective from the recent research is personal profi les • viewpoints and opinions or communities or forestry as such, merely poor or others like ForestEthics and the Sierra Club all seem gained when understanding that in fact, the Caribou is unsustainable forestry practices. Critics suggest that to operate by the presumption that misinformation and the most abundant wild hoofed animal in Canada. With these are empty words. Greenpeace’s position on the fearmongering is the best path forward,” says Politis. 3.89 million caribou spread across the country, there Boreal forest, as it stands, is inherently against jobs, Steven Black, Mayor of Timmins, Ontario, is also are more caribou than deer, moose and elk combined,” communities and forestry as a whole. Sustainability, part of the ongoing campaign. “Greenpeace due to its says Politis. as most often defined, rests on three central concepts: size and financial stability is capable of running very “Additional facts include: less than ½ a percent of economic sustainability, social sustainability, and large and well funded campaigns to support its goals,” Ontario Forests are harvested annually, while more than environmental sustainability, working in concert. says Black. Mayor David Canfield, of Kenora, Ontario, half of the forest is not available for harvest at all; that Greenpeace, in the case of the Northern Boreal forest, notes that Northern Ontario municipalities (and their 40% of the entire world’s environmentally certified is simply ignoring two of the three pillars of true Mayors) don’t have the reach or financial means of forests are in Canada; and that 95% of the forest cover sustainability. that existed Canada’s record in sustainable forestry is an excellent DON’T RISK MISSING A SINGLE ISSUE 200 years ago still exists today,” says Politis. “To

Stand up for forestry Continued on INSIDE page 3 The first in a series profiling Northern Ontario Summit Canadian forestry advocates Min. Greg Rickford speaks about the Forestry CALL:877-869-0588 ON ESFL change slow and steady Page 5 Innovation summit and the industry at large Broad involvement comes at the cost of a Page 9 slow pace of transformation Page 18 MAIL: BOX 138 Stn Main North bay ON P1B8G8 www.workingforest.com FAX (705-478-7469) Tree Planting Fold First Surveys Please send the to: Name:  Cone collection Company: Stand spacing & tending Address: City: Prov: Postal Code: Slash burning Phone: Fax: Email: 2 YEARS - $35 + hst - $39.55 3 YEARS - $50 + hst - $56.50 Add weekly eNewsletter for FREE Email Fax: (705) 478-7469 Please charge my or 877-295-0169 Mail (fold & tape this sheet) Card #: Exp.: [email protected] Cheque Enclosed (fold & tape this sheet) Signature: www.brinkmanforest.com For U.S. addresses payment in $U.S. For information call toll-free 1-877-869-0588

THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 13 - Summer #1 - 2017 Ontario’s Nipissing Forest prepares a full BY BRETT HANSON about 600 hectares of that this year. We will probably chance of landing in mineral soil so they can germinate. add another 150 hectares of scarifi cation for yellow “We have roughly 3000 hectares of tree marking per nother busy silviculture summer is dawning birch seeding in the fall,” Morneault said. “It’s a good year and we do a lot of monitoring in the forest. We in North Bay, Ontario’s Nipissing Forest. birch seeding year this year. There are a lot catkins will be monitoring our plantations and doing and free AOn the agenda this year is a full suite of site hanging off the branches and everyone’s allergies are to grow surveys. After all our treatments, we go out and prep, tending, planting and some fi res, but hopefully up in arms. Birch pollen is one of the most irritating see how well they worked. We are surveying about 3000 only the carefully controlled prescribed kind. Nipissing for people with pollen allergies. We know it will be a hectares of land, that occupies quite a few people. We Forest Resource Management Inc. Silvicultural Forester good birch seed year when everyone is complaining hire quite a few contractors to do that kind of work,” Andrée Morneault laid out the agenda for the year in an about allergies.” Morneault said. interview with The Working Forest. Morneault says they will scarify the site after the leaf They are conducting additional silvicultural work “We are doing a fair bit site preparation, we have fall to expose mineral soil. The birch drop their seed this year thanks to funding from Forestry Futures trenching, anchor chains and a patch scarifi er. We have over the winter and exposing the soil gives them the best for a rehabilitation project. Nipissing Forest will be

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 14 - Summer #1 - 2017 suite of silviculture activities rehabilitating about 400 hectares of degraded pine “There is a plan that must be prepared so that takes the costs of the planning and covering roughly 20% of shelterwood. They are areas that were managed for pine some time and has a cost. There are all the ignition the total cost. Forestry Futures Trust is also providing under the shelterwood system and were cut about twenty costs and the staff on site to contain it. There is also some support” years ago. The pine never really established and so they the monitoring afterward to make sure it is out. The “Its 20 hectares in September. If that goes well we are going in to conduct an intensive rehabilitation. suppression can last anywhere from a couple of days will start looking for other opportunities. It’s a special The year’s planting encompasses approximately 600 to a couple of weeks, especially if its dry. There will event, we are all pretty excited about it,” Morneault said. hectares with 1 million trees being planted, a number be someone going out there, patrolling and looking for “It’s going to be a busy place this summer.” that is being targeted consecutively for the next three smoke and putting things out. The Ministry is taking on years. Heritage Reforestation Inc. planted about 250,00 white spruce, 270,000 white pine, 440,000 red pine, 18,000 jack pine and 19,000 red spruce. “This year our planting program was completed on schedule, everything went quite smoothly. There were forty planters, which were supported by 6 management staff including the cook. They had an amazing cook this year, she made homemade bread, turkey dinners, turkey pot pie. It was just incredible. After the days they put in when they can look forward to a good meal it makes a big diff erence,” Morneault said. “There was a good mix of veterans and fi rst timers. The new staff can learn from the veterans and the veterans are able to keep the productivity going while the news ones learn the job.” In 2016 Nipissing Forest conducted a large slash pile burn program, about three years worth of slash piles according to Morneault. They typically only burn piles every other year, so no slash pile burning this summer. However, there will be a prescribed burn in September. “Nipissing Forest hasn’t had an operational prescribed burn since the inception of the SFL. It’s a small burn, we are just testing the waters to see what’s involved, Garrett Powell embarks on his quest to beat his single day personal best of 5,652 trees planted how much cooperation we get from the Ministry and what the costs are,” Morneault said.

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THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 15 - Summer #1 - 2017 Fort McMurray reforestation gets underway

BY ROBIN BRUNET Fire Smart standards (which prepares communities and white spruce, and lodgepole pine. Rosen explains, minimizes the incidents of fire entering communities). “We’re planting mostly deciduous trees: they’re a little he Fort McMurray wildfires of 2016 generated Currently, Tree Canada contractors and volunteers are bit better with respect to preparing for a wildfire. They numbers that nobody wanted to see: 580,000 planting trees within Fort McMurray’s city boundaries. don’t burn as readily as conifers do.” Tacres of lost wild land, 2,400 homes ruined, “We’re not going to have a chance to replace all of the The focus on urban trees was decided as the inaugural and at least $3 billion in total damages. trees lost, because there were quite a few trees lost,” action of ReLeaf Foprt McMurray due to the fact that But now come numbers of a different sort: Tree Canada president Michael Rosen told reporters. while wildfires may be part of the natural life cycle 76,000 trees and $1-million, part of an action plan “The fire was huge, consuming an area bigger than of boreal forests, trees in urban communities aren’t to get the Alberta community back to normal. P.E.I.” 10,000 urban trees were consumed by the always able to regenerate on their own; meanwhile, The million-dollar figure is the amount of money wildfires. an assessment of other areas in which reforestation contributed by CN to Operation ReLeaf Fort McMurray, Tree Canada scouted Fort McMurray by helicopter efforts are required has been undertaken, with hillsides launched earlier this year by Ottawa-based not for shortly after the wildfires to assess the damage “and we where erosion could be a problem receiving special profit Tree Canada, the nation’s leading national tree decided that we’re going to focus on the trees in town, consideration. planting charity. the trees that are closest to the people who live here,” Trees Canada says discussions have taken place to First announced in February and following significant according to Rosen. replace trees lost in adjacent First Nation communities, support from corporate partners (including TELUS, Planters began by focusing on the recreational trails and that its work will continue at least into 2018, and IKEA Canada, FedEx Express Canada, U-Haul, BP that Fort McMurray is known for, with the aim of possibly into 2019. At present, replanting has been Canada Energy Group, and Unilever Canada) and restoring the canopy of trees well loved by locals and targeted at Saprae Creek, Thickwood, and Metis Local individual Canadians, Operation ReLeaf was designed recreationalists. 1935; later this year contractors will turn their attention to replant trees in publicly-owned, natural, forested All told, about 76,000 trees will be planted in the Wood towards restoring the tree canopy in Beacon Hill, one areas, in order to facilitate forest regrowth according to Buffalo area this year, mostly willow, trembling aspen, of the neighbourhoods hardest hit by the blaze. Unsurprisingly, local officials have responded enthusiastically to Tree Canada’s efforts. “This support will undoubtedly lift the spirits of the entire community and help us restore so much of the natural beauty that was impacted by the wildfire,” said Melissa Blake, Mayor of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Previous Operation ReLeaf projects include efforts to restore forests devastated by mountain pine beetles; its work dates back to 1996, when the organization responded to Québec’s Saguenay floods. ReLeaf programs are already well entrenched in Alberta, where Tree Canada helped replace urban forests damaged by the 2014 snowstorm in Calgary, and trees lost to the massive floods that devastated southern Alberta in 2013.

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Powassan, ON P0H1Z0 888-262-5557 www.nokianfootwear.com (613) 931-2666 [email protected] 5667 Pine Stone Dr. Fax: (613) 931-1480 Williamstown, ON K0C 2J0 Cel: (613) 930-6992 EUROLOGGER [email protected]

PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY THUNDERHOUSE SEEDLINGS AND SEED FOREST SERVICES INC. Custom growing PROCESSING SERVICES CUSTOMIZED TO OUR Hearst, ON forestry stock for CLIENTS NEEDS the Pacific Northwest from • forest management • silviculture seed and rooted cuttings. • forest inventory • road location Hadashville, Manitoba • tree planting • GIS services Sidney, B.C. • timber appraisals • boundaries Toll Free: (888) 606-4162 (204) 426-5235 www.arbutusgrove.com Fax: (204) 426-2106 705-362-4488 www.thunderhouse.ca [email protected] www.pinelandforestnursery.com THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 16 - Summer #1 - 2017 Wolfram revisted: Managing for wind throw

BY LISA MARAK

n 2014 we told you about a unique woodlot couple on Vancouver Island, Wolfram Wollenheit and Sibylle IWalkemeyer of Econ Consulting. They had received two signifi cant honours: the regional Minister’s Award of Excellence for their work on Woodlot License #1641 near Campbell River in the Coast region, as well as overall provincial honours for the outstanding example they set for woodlotters around the province. They strive to uphold the “social license” for woodlot management, going above and beyond the legal requirements set by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Woodlot licensees on the Island come under intense scrutiny due to the predominance of urban interface (working forests that are near or adjacent to population centres) and the public use that comes along with it. They strive to maintain a good rapport with the members of their community. It’s their mandate to carefully manage Crown resources and they consider themselves stewards of a shared resource. As such, Wolfram and Sibylle have undertaken forest management practices that acknowledge the ecosystem while still upholding their responsibility to make their piece of Crown land accessible to the public. They’ve set up signs for roads and cut blocks, generated maps and created a parking lot so that they can gently guide weekend ATV riders, bikers and other outdoor enthusiasts in ways that will maintain the many values of their woodlot. This year the Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia will pass through their “backyard” with expert and novice riders alike on a multi-day trail ride. Like many other woodlot licensees they’re constantly battling Mother Nature when it comes to protecting their crops. Borrowing from European forest management systems they’ve fi gured out a way to design patterns of small blocks taking into account the strong winds coming from the south-east. “Wind throw” can be a signifi cant detriment to the value of a stand of trees. But if you harvest strategically against the main wind direction, the windfi rm timber edges take the brunt of the wind and shelter the larger, more vulnerable timber. They’re enjoying success with EACOM is now purchasing Spruce, Pine and this strategy. Fir logs for its Nairn Centre Operations. Modernisation and mechanisation have changed the means by which all foresters manage their timber. Wolfram and Sibylle have introduced mechanical “strip thinning” on areas with dense, immature stands, a process that creates the herringbone We offer competitive pricing for deliveries to pattern seen on aerial photographs. And when harvesting a cut block the timber can our Nairn Centre Sawmill or to acceptable now be processed within walking distance of a logging road. Wolfram and Sibylle leave the tops and broken ends at the roadside and after the completion of the waste storage yards. survey invite the locals to gather it for fi rewood. They recently negotiated the purchase of an adjacent woodlot licence – not a smooth Nous sommes heureux de travailler avec process due to red tape – and will be expanding their exemplary forestry practices, vous en français. retaining the expertise and insight of the prior woodlot licensee and building on it. Their collaborative approach with the community and fellow woodlotters serve as excellent examples for the woodlot program province-wide. CONTACT MARCEL VEILLETTE Tel: 705-869-4020 ext. 204 Cell: 705-690-6427 Fax: 705-869-2966 Email: [email protected]

Wolfram Wollenheit and Sibylle Walkemeyer of Econ Consulting WWW.EACOM.CA

THE WORKING FOREST - PAGE 17 - Summer #1 - 2017 PHILOSOPHY Good screef - It’s treeplanting time!

BY PHIL HEARN spruce seedling: Urban Dictionary) could take photos. Sometimes they would line up Lured by the thoughts of lucrative paydays to get in on the photo shoot. t’s that time of year when certain young while doing their bit for the environment, these The screefers work goes largely unheralded. people’s fancies turn to thoughts of tree intrepid individuals are collected from their urban It’s a cost of operations that ought to be cheaper Iplanting. existence in ex-school buses and ferried north and maybe we could do it all mechanically or This spring, hundreds of willing participants, often following the receding snow line to get those through natural regeneration. But this work mainly university students, will learn to screef seedlings in the ground as soon as the frost is out. provides us with future citizens who, at least, have their first tree. (Screef is a word used in the Some quit after one day, but most have the an understanding about what the vast majority treeplanting world, more commonly in Western fortitude and desire to see their season through. of Canada looks like and can tell their friends Canada, to mean to clear a space using a shovel Lifelong friendships are forged, daily battle scars and family - and future family, hopefully - that to expose mineral soil in order to plant a pine or are shared as a source of Canada’s most important renewable resource is pride, and what tastes alive and well and growing. better than a hot camp Getting statistics for treeplanting is virtually supper after fighting black impossible. In fact, a Google search of treeplanting flies, mosquitoes, often brings up more links to deforestation than impenetrable logging reforestation. Again, a sad fact from an industry, slash and the occasional and more tellingly, governments, that don’t place Forestry and Construction Equipment - Plasma Cutting Table Industrial Machine Shop Welding Services - Generators wild animal? enough importance on the active management of A highlight of mine our forest resource. P.O. BOX 1480 - 1697 HWY 11 W. HEARST, ON P0L 1N0 was our annual visits Ontario planting operations put 60-100 million to the camps in the seedlings in the ground between May and June. 705.362.4478 evening to photograph In British Columbia, the plant is well in excess Fax: 705.362.5616 the treeplanters after a of 200 million. The average British Columbian www.jeansdieselshop.com long and tiring day. Never planter plants 1600 trees per day, but it is not once, did I hear anyone uncommon for experienced planters to plant up to complain about putting 4,000 trees per day while working in the interior their planting bags and These numbers are higher in central and eastern hard hats back on so we Canada, where the terrain generally allows faster planting, however the price per tree is slightly lower as a result. Average daily totals of 2500 are common, with experienced planters planting upwards of 5000 trees a day. Numbers as high as 7500 a day have been recorded. Planters typically work 8–11 hours per day with an additional 1 to 2 Red Pine • White Pine • Spruce • Balsam • White Cedar hours of (usually) unpaid traveling time. Buyer of Logs, Pulp and Standing Timber • Environmentally Controlled Forestry Thinning A section from Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem FORESTRY CONTRACTOR • Buyers of Standing and Felled Timber ‘If’ is apt: • Forestry Management Planning • Property Tax Rebates ‘If you can force your heart and nerve and • Now Purchasing Logs at Roadside sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’ ...Then you can be a treeplanter, for one (with apologies for changing the final line!)

Former Working Forest editor Phil Hearn, after 40 years of trying to understand the Canadian WANTED TO BUY forest industry, finally packed up his snow shovel • White Pine Sawlogs RR1 Holland Centre, Ontario N0H 1R0 and headed south for the winters and west for Rob Beirnes the summers. Where, with former Working Forest • Softwood Pulp Forestry Operations Manager publisher Judy Skidmore, they can pontificate at Phone (613) 735-0796 Cell (613) 639-4100 [email protected] their leisure about all things silvicultural. [email protected] 519-794-0018 Fx: 519-794-0019

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THE WORKING FOREST ONLINE

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