From: ecologicalforestry <ecologicalforestry@novascotia.ca>
To: ecologicalforestry
Feb. 19 at 10:38 a.m.
The Department of Lands and Forestry continues to be committed to implementing ecological forestry using a triad model approach.
Ongoing collaboration between department staff and external experts has resulted in progress in numerous key areas, including:
- Forest Management Guide: A revised forest management guide is on track to be completed by Spring 2020. Targeted consultation sessions on the new guide are scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2020. This will be followed by public consultations later this winter.
- High Production Forestry (HPF): A proposed definition for high production forestry and potential criteria for use in selecting HPF sites was developed. A discussion paper that provides the description and rationale for this proposal will be available on our website (https://novascotia.ca/ecological-forestry/) for public comment today. The deadline for written comments will be March 13, 2020.
- Small Scale Wood Heat: After a successful Request for Supplier Qualifications process the prequalified bidders were selected and contacted, and a Request for Proposals was posted on Jan. 31, 2020. The deadline for proposals is March 5th after which successful bidder(s) will be selected with projects anticipated to be in operation by the 2020-21 heating season. The project team is currently working on the next phase of identifying potential sites for this initiative.
- Species at Risk: Recovery Plans for species at risk for which the Province is solely responsible have been drafted and are awaiting approval from Recovery Teams. The department, in collaboration with Recovery Teams, are hosting Recovery Action Forums in each region over the coming weeks (Eastern: February 26, Central: March 4, and Western: March 11). The focus of the forums will be to collaborate with practitioners and will include public information sessions in the evenings.
- Natural Disturbance Regime: A scientific paper on natural disturbance agents has been submitted to a journal for peer review and publication. Planning for the next phase of research is underway.
- Forest Environmental Assessment: A Request for Proposals was issued in January to hire a consultant to develop a guide for the preparation of 20 year forest stewardship plans which will be subject to the environmental assessment process. Stakeholder consultations are anticipated in the coming months.
- Stakeholder Relations Position: Naomi Arron is now in the newly created role of Senior Strategist, Stakeholder Relations and Issues Management. The focus of this position is to enhance the department’s communications and engagement with our stakeholders. Naomi can be reached at Naomi.Arron@novascotia.ca.
- Minister’s Advisory Committee: The Minister’s Advisory Committee met yesterday for the first time to ensure a shared understanding of its mandate, roles and responsibilities, and the skills, knowledge, and abilities each member brings to the table. This committee includes 14 individuals that represent diverse perspectives and areas of expertise and is tasked with providing advice to the Minister on strategic decisions, policy and priorities relevant to implementing ecological forestry. Subsequent meetings will provide an opportunity for committee members to learn about and provide feedback on specific project work.
The Department is also making progress on other projects to implement Professor Lahey’s recommendations, such as improving the State of the Forest Report, reviewing/revising the Old Forest Policy, and developing an outcomes-based approach to forest management. Planning for new areas of project work is underway. Information on these projects will be shared as it becomes available.
For more information related to the forestry review and Professor Lahey’s recommendations, please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/ecological-forestry/. |
