| | In decades past, forested land was often cleared to make room for agriculture. After all, the thinking went, what's the point of owning trees when the land can grow crops and pasture livestock?
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Today, Peace Country landowners are increasingly aware of the social, environmental and economic value of their trees. A healthy stand of forest can be selectively harvested, and replanted to sustain its long-term viability. Trees, especially near water, can attract visitors seeking recreation. With climate change, owners of carbon-capturing trees may also earn a financial return for their forest management.
In fact, according to Doug Macaulay, woodlot and agroforestry specialist with the woodlot extension program, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Peace River, woodlot owners have so many options these days that sound management demands long-term planning. A pilot project is underway that brings landowners together to explore their many options and chart a well-planned future.
"Typically, we have worked with individual landowners to plan for the future of their woodlots," explains Macaulay. "In many cases, however, the individual landowner doesn't have enough acres to fully address the opportunities that are out there."
In 2008, Macaulay and Juri Agapow, extension specialist with FP Innovations, Peace River, launched a two-year pilot project to assess how owners of contiguous forest land could explore opportunities together. Called the Weberville Community Forest Project, the project covers nearly 45,000 acres of land owned by 80 different owners. It's the first such effort in Western Canada, and could ultimately serve as a model for sustainable private forest management in Alberta and nationally.
Phase 1: understand values and inventory
From the start, the Weberville Community Forest Project has been a team effort. In addition to Macaulay, Agapow and the landowners, the project team consists of Lisa Ladd, Boreal Forest Research Centre; Hugh Bailey, Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration; and Martine Piebiak and Cindy Cuthbert, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. Funding was provided by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
The first order of business was to understand the interests and values of the families themselves. This was achieved through group sessions and one-on-one meetings.
"We found four common interests among the landowners," says Agapow. "First, they shared an interest in harvesting the resource over time. Second, they were interested in planting more trees. Third, the wildlife features of the area were important to them. Finally, they were open to potential recreational opportunities, such as creating a trail through the property to the Peace River."
While the landowners were in broad agreement, important questions remained. What kinds of trees are on the land, and how much of each type? What is the long-term potential for harvesting, replanting, recreation and carbon credits? To answer these questions, Macaulay and Agapow designed an inventory project. Carried out by German exchange student Patrick Hiesl during 2008, the inventory determined soil types, timber types, eco-sites and the nature of forest stands for each of the landowners.
Phase 2: set goals and implement them
In a series of individual meetings with the landowners, Macaulay and Agapow presented the inventory findings. To Agapow, these meetings were a turning point for the project.
"Each landowner now has detailed information about what's on their land and what its value is," he says. "This knowledge is the basis for making decisions as individual landowners and potentially, as a community."
Decision-making is at the heart of Phase 2 of the project, which began April 1, 2009, and will run for about 12 months. With continued guidance from Macaulay and Agapow, and the development of a more detailed forest inventory, the landowners will be in a better position to decide the future of their forest resource.
By the first quarter of 2010, the project will be captured in a report that will be widely available and, perhaps, widely imitated. After all, the ingredients behind the Weberville Community Forest Project - multiple landowners, common goals and shared action - could have a fit anywhere there's private forest land. If that happens, no one will be happier than Macaulay and Agapow.
"Traditionally in this part of the world, we have often thought of trees as obstacles that get in the way of agriculture," says Macaulay. "Part of our job has been to sell the economic value of trees - for lumber, fuel sources, recreation and carbon credits - as well as their social and environmental value. With Weberville, thanks to terrific support from the landowners, we've made a great start on a more sustainable approach."
Contact:
Doug Macaulay
780-624-6425
Juri Agapow
780-624-4529 |
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