The South West Woodlot Association is a chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association, non-profit organizations with the vision of ensuring the sustainability of Ontario’s privately owned forests now and in the future.
Attendees at the recent South West Woodlot Association Annual Meeting held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 enjoyed two presentations: Sheldon McGregor showed photos and spoke about his passion for seed collecting of native tree and shrub species.
He gathers, cleans, and supplies seeds to several Ontario nurseries.
Jeff Sharp presented on work of the Forest Gene Conservation Association, an organization with the mandate to conserve and augment the genetic diversity of forests through species conservation, seed management expertise, climate change adaptation, education, and advocacy.
Donald C. Craig R.P.F. was awarded the South West Woodlot Association’s 17th Annual Woodlot Management Award at the Annual Meeting and Information Day.
He owns and manages 50 acres of second growth forest in Southwest Middlesex.
In 1992, he co-founded the Lambton Woodlot Owners Association, which became the South West Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association.
He also serves on several other organizations dedicated to our natural environment: Tree Canada, Thames Talbot Land Trust, Forests Ontario, and Ontario Professional Foresters Association.
He is a Certified Tree Seed Collector and has given away many seedlings of rare native species to both individuals and organizations for planting in public areas.
He is a certified Butternut Health Assessor, assisting in the restoration of this endangered species.
He leads woodlot tours for various organizations, sharing his extensive knowledge of trees and shrubs of the forest.
The South West Woodlot Association’s popular Tree Growers Information Day and Bus Tour, held every August, was founded by Donald, and he continues to plan the event.
He records rare and endangered species and forwards the information to the Natural Heritage Information Centre.
During his career with the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority, Donald promoted Good Forestry Standards through inventories and management plans for private and public woodlots.
He continues to offer his services as a Certified Timber Marker and consultant.
Donald Craig has been recognized for his outstanding contributions by other organizations as well, being the recipient of the Lambton Wildlife Environment Award (2012), the Carolinian Canada Lifetime Achievement Award (2013), and the Ontario Woodlot Association Harry Barr Volunteer Award (2023).
