Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) of Alberta

"A joint venture between government, industry, non-government organizations and the Woodlot Association of Alberta"

Background The detrimental impact of forest liquidation versus management was recognized by diverse interests; including forest companies, conservation agencies and governments. Having established some common ground through the now defunct Canada-Alberta Forest Management Agreement, representatives from these groups designed a new approach and set up the Woodlot Extension Pilot Program (WEPP) in 2000 under the direction of a multi-stakeholder advisory group. In 2004 a management committee, selected from the larger advisory group, set goals and objectives for a permanent Woodlot Extension Program (WEP). The partnership brings the range of required expertise, people power as well as funding. WEP was created to fill in an existing gap in extension services and private land forestry in this province. The key to the program’s success is the cooperative nature of the partnership. The benefits of the partnership are confirmed by the large pool of diverse resources and expertise generated by WEP Partnership. By leveraging the strength of various partners, the program enjoys reduced costs and optimizes the social, economic and environmental benefits beyond those which could be achieved by more limited partnership. Since 2010, WEP expanded their mandate and became the Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) focused on the private forested landscapes of agricultural regions in Alberta.

Vision:
Landowners and land stewards are able to manage and capture social, economic and environmental values provided by woodlots and agroforestry.

Mission:
AWES exists to increase awareness of the economic, social and environmental values of woodlots and
agroforestry in the agricultural landscape. AWES promotes responsible woodlot and agroforestry management
by providing support and extension services to landowners, land stewards and others who influence land use
practices in Alberta.

Operating Principles:
Our values describe how we act in order to accomplish the work and activities leading to achievement of our vision.

Passion

• We have a deep shared belief in our vision and mission.
• We genuinely care about the future of Alberta’s privately owned forests

• We are committed to the viability of AWES and the well-being of our members, partners and staff.
• We share results and rewards
• We pool jointly secured resources
• AWES brings our respective organizations closer together.

• We deliver extension services effectively and efficiently within our capabilities.
• AWES provides demonstrated value to partners and funding agencies.
• We use our resources wisely for maximum impact.

• We actively listen, consider diverse opinions of members and stakeholders, and act in the best interests of the Society and those we serve.
• We do what we say we will do.
• We are transparent in terms of financial undertakings.
• We have uncompromised principles.

• We operate openly and honestly in our collective decision-making and interaction with members and stakeholders.

Goals:

1. Increased awareness of economic, social and environmental implications of agroforestry and woodlots
   Increased awareness of the range of values and opportunities associated with agroforestry and woodlot management will lead to balanced decision making by land owners, land stewards, and policy makers concerning issues related to forested land.
2. Increased land owner and land steward participation in agroforestry, and woodlot management
   Land owners and land stewards actively manage the privately owned wooded landscapes in Alberta to maintain the integrity and value of the land.
3. Integrated community land use planning that acknowledges the values of private forest resources
   To promote community private forest management. Planners, decision-makers and land owners within the rural communities are encouraged to recognize implications of integrated environmentally, economic, social values in the privately owned forests.
4. AWES members and partners are full engaged in the achievement of the AWES vision
   AWES is the organization of choice achieving respective and common goals in agroforestry and woodlot extension. Membership sustains the objects of the society.
5. AWES fulfills its mandate with adequate human, program and financial resources
   AWES attracts and retains passionate members and staff empowered to seek and responsibly manage long-term sustainable funding for delivery of the extension program.

• Awareness to landowners and public about woodlots and agroforestry.
• Technical information on woodlots.
• Assistance development of woodlot management plans.
• Contact between government, conservation association and forest companies.
• Resource information.
• Demonstration sites and tours.
• Workshop and seminars.
  

Most of the woodlots produce several values. The environmental value of the woodlots is often measured by their ability to provide habitat for wildlife, control soil erosion, protect watersheds, outdoor recreation and tourism. Social values such as personal satisfaction and enjoyment are also very important. Economic value of the woodlot is to produce forest products, diversify rural and farm economies, and to be a complement to crop rotation.

Opportunities for logging on private land have increased in recent years. This has prompted farmers to consider harvesting timber on their land. There are a number of ways that farmers can go about harvesting their timber depending on their long- and short-term needs. Logging can also have many impacts on the soil, water, wildlife and aesthetics of the landowner's land and surrounding landscape. Developing a plan will ensure that all options have been considered and that the option chosen fits the goals for the land and the farming operation.

Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) Terms of Reference
Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) Bylaws
Agroforestry & Woodlot Extension Society (AWES) Membership Form

Members in the Program
Ainsworth Engineered Canada LP.
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (AARD)
Alberta Pacific Forest Industries Inc. (ALPAC)
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD)
Canadian Forest Service (CFS)
Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd (DMI)
The Land Stewardship Centre of Canada (LSC)
Vanderwell Contractors (1971) Ltd.
Woodlot Association of Alberta (WAA)

Agdex Documents
Conservation and Logging on Private Land in Alberta
Consideration for Timber Harvesting Activities
Field Shelterbelts for Soil Conservation
Shelterbelt Varieties for Alberta
Shelterbelts in Alberta
Should you harvest Timber?
Weed Control for Shelterbelts

Other Useful Woodlot Links
Energy from Wood - Kalwa Biogenics
Impact of Forest Harvesting
Woodlot Harvesting
Woodlot Management Planning
Woodlot Management: Regulations
Woodlot Regneration System
Woodlots and Wildlife
Woodlots Web Sites


Contact Information:
Agroforestry and Woodlot Extension Society
6547 Sparrow Drive, Leduc, Alberta T9E 7C7
Phone (Leduc): (780) 980-3511 Fax: (780) 980-4237
doug.macaulay@gov.ab.ca