University of Toronto Winter Field School
From February 19 – 22nd, the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du
Canada hosted the 19th annual University of Toronto Winter Forestry Field Tour at the
Canadian Ecology Centre in Mattawa. With generous support from the Ontario Ministry
of Natural Resource and Forestry, Tembec, the Great Lakes Forestry Centre,
FPInnovations, Domtar, Friends of the Petawawa Research Forest, the Algonquin Forest
Authority and CIF-IFC Algonquin Section, 30 Master of Forestry Conservation students
and staff from the University of Toronto participated in a four-day forestry field tour.
Highlights of the field camp included a tour of Tom Bryson’s woodlot in South
River to illustrate single-tree-selection and tree marking. Scott McPherson, Andrée
Morneault and Brian Naylor of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
guided students through an active harvest site, speaking to wildlife considerations, partial
harvest systems and the value of tree marking in Ontario’s forests. A visit to Tembec site
#187 in the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence forest region exposed students to active logging.
The group was able to see first hand how cutting and skidding works, and engage in
discussions about options for managing poor quality hardwoods with the forest
technicians on site.
The tour also included a day at Canada’s premier research forest: the Petawawa
Research Forest (PRF). Site visits included the historic permanent sample plot (PSP) 1,
fire ecology sites and the biomass harvest study site. In addition to the cutting edge
science and research, students had the opportunity to enjoy a truly Canadian experience:
maple taffy, baked beans and hot cider around a campfire courtesy of the Friends of the
Petawawa Research Forest!
A variety of evening presentations at the Canadian Ecology Centre provided
further insight into new tools and technology in the forest sector, and emerging
challenges and opportunities. Murray Woods from the Ministry of Natural Resources and
Forestry spoke to adding value to Ontario’s forests using remote sensing technologies;
Peter Nosko from Nipissing University gave a presentation on the overabundance of
moose and the affect on Balsam Fir ecology in Gros Morne National Park,
Newfoundland; Steve Bursey from the Algonquin Forestry Authority discussed the
various challenges of keeping logging and conservation balanced in Algonquin Park; and
Peter Street of Nipissing Forest Resource Management Inc. gave an in-depth outline of
the Sustainable Forest License - Nipissing Forest.
Despite the unseasonably frigid temperatures, the tour was an incredible success!
Students, staff and even moderators left the great white north with an increased
knowledge of sustainable forest management. With dog sledding, a traditional ‘six-pie’
dinner from Myrt’s Restaurant, and classic tunes around the campfire provided by John
Pineau, it’s safe to say everyone had a lot of fun as well!
Courtney Bennett
Continuing Education Outreach Coordinator
Canadian Institute of Forestry
Voice of Forest Practitioners / La voix des professionnels de la forệt
Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada
c/o The Canadian Ecology Centre, P.O. Box 99 – 6905 Hwy. 17 West, Mattawa, ON P0H 1V0
Tel: 705-744-1715 • Fax: 705-744-1716 • E-mail: admin@cif-ifc.org • Web site: www.cif-ifc.org