2021 Woodland Conferences


​With the continued uncertainty around COVID-19 in the province, the 2021 Spring Woodland Conferences will be held online through a series of free webinars. Based on the results of our recent public survey, we have decided on short sessions (about 60 minutes each) which will be held twice per month, starting in February. 

All conference sessions will be presented as webinars through Webex Events. The first five confirmed sessions are listed below and you can register for each by clicking the link in the session title. Pre-registration is required to view these webinars. More dates and topics will be announced here as we confirm speakers. 

The Woodland Conferences are organized annually by a hardworking committee of representatives from several Nova Scotia groups interested in forestry. This year, our provincial committee includes partners from the Nova Scotia Department of Lands and Forestry, Nova Scotia Woodlot Owners and Operators Association (Provincial Coordinator), Association for Sustainable Forestry, Western Woodlot Services Co-op, Federation of Nova Scotia Woodland Owners, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, and two private woodlot owners. Typically we have a generous group of sponsors who support this conference series, but it was decided that due to the online format and the tough financial year for many that we not accept sponsorships this year. We would like to thank every sponsor who has supported us over the years, and we hope to solicit sponsorships again when we're able to move back to in-person events.

We will still be having our chainsaw draws this year! Participants will receive one ballot per session they attend and we will draw for two Stihl chainsaws at the end of the conference series.

Session 1: Forest Sector & Forestry Transition Team Update
Wednesday, February 10th @ 7pm
  • Update from the Province: Transition supports and Ecological Forestry: Deputy Minister Julie Towers, NS Dept. of Lands & Forestry
  • Forestry Transition Team Update: Deputy Minister Kelliann Dean, NS Dept. of Intergovernmental Affairs and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Immigration

Session 2: Private Land Stewardship
Wednesday, February 24th @ 7pm
  • Welcome to the 100 Acre Woods: Norman Paupin, 2020 Provincial Woodland Owner of the Year Winner
  • Silviculture and Biodiversity Features- A Landowner’s Approach: Dave Sutherland, Association for Sustainable Forestry

Session 3: Invasive Species and Forest Pests
Wednesday, March 10th @7pm
  • Native Forest Pests: Jeff Ogden, NS Dept. of Lands & Forestry, Forest Health Division
  • Invasive Forest Pests: Ron Neville, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
  • Invasive Plant Species: Scott Maston, NS Dept. of Lands & Forestry

Session 4: Climate Change and Forest Carbon
Wednesday, March 24th @ 7pm
  • Managing Woodlands & Woodland Carbon in a Changing Climate: James Steenberg, NS Dept. of Lands & Forestry

Session 5: Biodiversity, Wildlife & Species at Risk
Wednesday, April 7th @ 7pm
  • Cohabitation of You and Wildlife in your Woodlot: Sarah Spencer, NS Dept. of Lands & Forestry, Wildlife Division
  • Biodiversity Pilot Program: Abby Lewis, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute