Lakehead Conservation undertook various forest management activities in 1998. At the beginning of the year, small harvest blocks were cut in the Williams Forest and Mills Block Forest. Some of the blocks were replanted with red pine and white spruce seedlings, while the rest will be allowed to regenerate naturally.
Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. is managing forest resources on the two land parcels in conjunction with Lakehead Conservation.
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Left:
Regeneration of harvest blocks included planting 6,000 seedlings. |
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| Right:
Specialized logging equipment minimized site disturbance while working
in the Mills Block Forest. |
During our annual Arbour Week celebrations, a total of 25,000 tree seedlings were distributed through the generous contribution from TransCanada Pipelines. This was the third year that their tree seedling program has provided us with trees.
Forest Capital of Canada
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Thunder Bay and
Northwestern Ontario has been declared the Forest Capital of Canada
for the year 2000.
Celebration
activities will be held throughout the year 2000 and potential conferences
and meetings are being planned. Millennium Legacy Projects will
make lasting contributions to the area. The Current River Greenway
(see 'Cascades') is an example of one
of the projects.
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Proposal for
Wishart
Wishart Conservation Area was the topic of discussion this autumn. A review of the forest stands by Abitibi-Consolidated showed that the area was not as productive as it could be. A management proposal was put forward to harvest some of the over-mature blocks and generally improve forest health. Harvest operations would take place in the winter months using equipment that would minimize site disturbance.
An Open House was held in early October and several people and groups submitted comments about the proposal. After examining the comments and the plan, the Conservation Board decided to defer any decision until May 1, 1999. This will afford an opportunity for the 'Friends of Wishart' to provide a viable long-term development proposal.
New Managed Forest Plans
During the summer months, staff worked hard to prepare Managed Forest Plans for nine of our properties. Further work by a consultant was done throughout the autumn. The Plans are required to be eligible for the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program. It is hoped that the Program will significantly reduce the tax burden on these conservation lands.
Originally
posted: Jan. 1999
