The cold doldrums of February will be eased again with Eastern Ontario’s premier winter forestry meeting set for the W.B. George Centre at Kemptville College, this year featuring Canada’s "unofficial weather guru".
He’s Order of Canada recipient David Phillips, Environment Canada Senior Climatologist, author of several books on the weather, and originator of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar.
Phillips is keynote speaker at the annual one-day Winter Woodlot Conference sponsored by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) group, the Canadian Model Forest Network and several partners: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (Eastern Ontario Stewardship Councils), South Nation Conservation, and Raisin Region Conservation Authority.
To be held Feb. 21, registration is 8 am-8:30 am at the door. The conference begins at 9:30, wrapping up about 3:30 pm. Admission is $25 including lunch, $15 without lunch. The event includes presentations, concurrent discussions, and several educational and commercial exhibits.
The theme this year is: "Climate Changes ... Will Your Woodlot?" It’s an opportunity for woodlot owners, forest industry personnel, and forestry resources managers to meet and discuss issues related to private woodlands, said Dave MacNaughtan of EOMF who’s coordinating the event along with Dave Chapeskie of OMAFRA.
The meeting isn’t reserved for professionals. It’s open to anybody with an interest in the general health and sustainability of Eastern Ontario forests.
Addressing the conference theme, Phillips will launch the day’s information sessions on severe weather which may be attributable to climate change in Eastern Ontario, planting and natural regeneration, established woodlots, and a wrap up of the morning’s presentations led by Jim Gilmour, a Lanark County woodlot owner.
After lunch, participants can attend concurrent workshops on forest pests, potential impact of climate change on wildlife and the maple syrup industry, and on marketing wood products.
More information: Elizabeth Holmes, (613) 258-8415. Details at www.eomf.on.ca