Special Event to Recognize Trillium Foundation Grant for Forest Inventory
Kemptville, ON – On Friday, local MPP Nolan Quinn met with the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) and the South Nation Conservation Authority (SNC) as they hosted a special event to celebrate the successful conclusion of an exciting forest inventory project. The project was made possible in part thanks to a $50,000 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). An array of guest speakers attended the session, including presentations by both EOMF and SNC staff highlighting how the inventory was produced using state-of-the-art technologies, and how these technologies are being used.
“I wish to congratulate EOMF on their successful grant application from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “The planned work to create a forest inventory will be a benefit not only for environmental purposes but for economic growth management in our local forestry industry. Thank you again to OTF for their continued investment in our community.”
The grant, first awarded in July 2022, facilitated all components of the project, with the resulting inventory products allowing for the enhanced application of best forest management practices on both municipal and privately owned forests within SNC’s full watershed.
Quality forest inventory also has the potential to help promote sustainable forest sector growth and the increased use of wood fibre for economic benefit, while helping to maintain ecosystem processes, increase wildlife habitat, and improve biodiversity and carbon capture within forests.
“This project will result in the production of 448,000 hectares of high quality and up-to-date forest inventory within the full watershed of the South Nation Conservation Authority,” Carl Bickerdike, Chief Administrative Officer, South Nation Conservation Authority. “The inventory will be used by our staff for a variety of purposes including enhancing forest management planning and practices and promoting the sustainable use of wood fibre within the region.”
“We are grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their full support of this important project,” said John Pineau, Executive Director, Eastern Ontario Model Forest. “The Resilient Communities Funding Program enabled the EOMF to invest significant time and energy, with results that will benefit in a multitude of ways across local rural communities. There is much potential to apply what we have learned in other parts of the province as well.”
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships, which included funding for the Government of Ontario’s Community Building Fund. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Related links: Websites: EOMF: www.eomf.on.ca SNC: https://www.nation.on.ca/
Contact for Media Inquiries:
Olyvia Foster, Communications Coordinator, EOMF-OWA
olyvia.foster@ontariowoodlot.com 705-933-4587