Quinte Woodland Conference Returns to Belleville After Pandemic Hiatus

The Quinte Woodland Conference is set to make its return on October 2, 2023, after a five-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This event has been a staple in eastern Ontario for three decades, originally known as the Trenton Woodlot Conference, connecting landowners and forestry professionals to discuss sustainable practices for managing forested lands.

Hosted by the Quinte Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association, the conference will take place at Maranatha Church in Belleville, drawing participants from various regions, including Hastings County, Prince Edward County, and Lennox and Addington County. This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of “tending our woodlands,” aiming to attract a diverse audience beyond just foresters and woodlot owners.

Keynote Speaker to Highlight Forest Stewardship

Renowned forester and author Ethan Tapper will be the keynote speaker, sharing insights from his acclaimed book, How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World. This work, which won the New England Book Award in September, explores the critical relationship humans have with forests and the ecosystems that support life on Earth.

In an interview, Tapper stressed the necessity of proactive forest management. “It’s tempting…to believe that the way we take care of and love them is to just leave them alone,” he noted. His experience rehabilitating a 175-acre forest in northwestern Vermont has reinforced his belief that active intervention is essential to preserving forest health.

Tapper’s approach includes selectively cutting down non-native or competing trees to support the overall ecosystem. He argues that such actions can be “profound acts of care and compassion.” He believes most people recognize the importance of forests, which provide numerous benefits, including clean air and habitat for wildlife.

Conference Agenda and Topics

The conference will feature multiple presentations covering a range of topics, including forest stewardship, wildfire prevention, succession planning, and the use of biochar as a soil amendment. This comprehensive agenda aims to engage participants from various backgrounds, reinforcing the idea that everyone can play a role in forest conservation.

Tapper emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The forests are not going to be okay unless we help them out.” His remarks highlight the balance between recognizing the resilience of forests and the necessity of human intervention to facilitate recovery from environmental threats, including invasive species and climate change.

The Quinte Woodland Conference runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 2, offering a platform for knowledge exchange and community engagement in forest management practices. For more information, interested individuals can visit the conference website.

As communities come together for this event, the focus on sustainable forestry practices could pave the way for a healthier environment and a greater understanding of the vital role forests play in our lives.