Healthy Forests

Due to the downturn in markets, many Island forest-based communities, businesses and woodlot managers have suffered the loss of jobs and economic opportunities. Increasingly, they are looking at how to make the transition away from commodity-based production and towards other forest-based opportunities in non-timber and value-added forest products.

Description:

• The PEIMFNP will continue to support small, forest-dependent communities by encouraging sustainable natural resources management, in a manner which realizes environmental goals while offering woodlot managers real economic opportunities. This project targets rural areas of Prince Edward Island which have a strong connection to Island forests and a high potential for land owner and community participation.
• Value-added and non-timber forest products contribute an estimated $25,000,000 to the Island economy each year. It is recognized that there is plenty of opportunity for growth in this sector but first landowners, governments, educators, industry and communities have to find new and innovative ways of working together to develop these opportunities for mutual, long term benefit.

Planned Outputs:

• Management plans that address a wide range of social, environmental and economic issues.
• Development of demonstration sites on public and private land which will highlight revenue opportunities for woodlot owners in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
• Silviculture treatments on private woodlots.
• Provision of advice and guidance on operational requirements in completing management plan prescriptions.

List of Other Project Partners:

Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry, Private Woodlot Managers, Wood Products PEI and Wood West Network Initiative