The Bertha-Rose Park Family and Donald Craig were recent recipients of two notable awards: the South West Woodlot Association’s Woodlot Management Award and the Ontario Woodlot Association’s Harry Barr Volunteer Award respectively.
St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) officials say Bertha-Rose Park, along with several members of her family were in attendance to receive the Woodlot Management Award at the South West Woodlot Association (SWWA) Annual General Meeting, held recently in Alvinston.
The Woodlot Management Award honours members who follow good forestry standards and participate in activities that promote successful woodlot management.
The Park family have been proudly managing their productive woodlot since ancestor, George Annett, planted 85 acres of poor pasture between 1939-1942, with the goal of establishing and managing a forest to carry on for all time, supplying a steady supply of timber.
Tom Park, great-grandson of Mr. Annett, currently manages the forest, maintaining trails, monitoring for disease, insects, and invasive species, and overseeing harvests.
He also builds delightful elf houses for the enchantment of the Park children.
Birds Canada have surveyed the property, and expert forestry advice is utilized through the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program (MFTIP).
Kudos to the Park family members for their ongoing stewardship and contribution to our healthy natural environment.
The South West Woodlot Association is a chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA).
John Pineau, Executive Director of OWA was in attendance at the Annual Meeting to present the award to the Park Family.
He spoke of the various projects currently being undertaken by the organization.
Also of interest to members attending the Annual Meeting was a presentation by Andrew Bodrug and Nate Torenvliet about their search for Ontario’s Pawpaw Trees.
The two enthusiasts have documented stands of this native species throughout Ontario’s Carolinian range which stretches from Toronto to Windsor.
Pawpaws are considered by many to be the rarest trees in Canada. (caroliniancanada.ca) (ontariowoodlot.com)
Donald Craig, long-time member, director, and one of the founders of the SWWA, received the Harry Barr Volunteer Award at the recent Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Woodlot Association.
This award, named in honour of a founder of the OWA, recognizes exceptional hours of volunteerism to promote good forest stewardship while supporting the vision, mission, and values of the OWA.
Mr. Craig, a Professional Forester, has volunteered his time, experience, and knowledge to encourage the development and maintenance of well managed private forestland in Southwestern Ontario for many years.
He organizes tours, writes newsletters, collects native tree seed, and grows seedlings to offer anyone with a place to plant them.
He has been involved with the Ontario Professional Foresters’ Association, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Forests Ontario, Forest Gene Conservation Association of Ontario, and Lambton Wildlife (to name a few).
A well deserved recognition for Donald Craig, passionate about trees and our natural heritage.
