Attention Private Woodlot Owners In Frontenac County

Mar 21, 2013

The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) is pleased to announce a new project, supported by the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC), entitled “Growing Forest Certification in Frontenac County and Beyond”.

The focus of this project is to expand the EOMF’s established Forest Certification Program further into Frontenac County so as to increase the amount of privately-owned forested area managed under the Forest Stewardship Council®, or FSC®, certification system.

The EOMF forest certification is the gold standard of forest certification. It encompasses a forest management plan (something that woodlot owners under the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program are familiar with) to ensure the sustainability of the forest, but includes additional measures as well. It requires the identification of cultural heritage features in the forest, a harvest prescription that is approved by a registered professional, certified tree markers, contracts in place with all forest workers, and more.

There is a distinct marketing advantage to certification of forest products, ranging from lumber to maple syrup, as they will carry certification labelling that adds value to the product.

This project's activities will result in increasing the supply of Ontario certified wood products, and in particular Frontenac County's contribution to the certified wood basket, to further satisfy growing domestic and export markets for these products.

Although the focus is Frontenac County, some of the online tools and processes developed will also benefit other counties in eastern and southern Ontario by laying the technological foundations to enable other CFDCs to engage the EOMF, at a later date, in growing the Forest Certification Program into their areas by following the same model. This leadership role by FCFDC is gratefully acknowledged by the EOMF and is evidence of the commitment and leadership that the FCFDC has shown in the area of forest certification.

As part of this initiative, those owning private woodlots within Frontenac County may qualify to take advantage of a Frontenac County Private Woodlot Certification Funding Program. This Funding Program subsidizes 20 free on-site visits from a local forest management consultant for those interested in joining the EOMF's Forest Certification Program.

Two landowner information sessions entitled the “Who, What, Why and How of Private Woodlot Certification” will be held in Frontenac this spring. The first is in Sharbot Lake on May 9 and the second in Verona on June 13. For details please visit: www.eomfcert.ca. This dedicated website has been developed to administer the project efficiently through an online stepped process, by taking event registrations, and by offering a broad range of free printed materials, engaging videos, as well as an informative Forest Management E-Learning Course.

About the EOMF: The Eastern Ontario Model Forest is a not-for-profit, charitable organization devoted to the people and the forests of eastern Ontario. Its flagship  Forest Certification Program has been instrumental in establishing and growing third-party Forest Management (FM) and Chain of Custody (CoC) certification in the region resulting in more sustainable forest management practices and new market opportunities for primary and secondary wood manufacturing industries.

For more information please contact Melanie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 613-258-8365.