The Fundy Model Forest (FMF) covers 420,000 hectares (1 million
acres) of Acadian forest in southern New Brunswick. The FMF is a working
forest and includes towns and villages, Crown and private land,
industrial freehold and Fundy National Park. The FMF borders the cities
of Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton. Most of the land in the FMF is
privately owned (63%), with 3500 woodlot owners in the area. Other
landowners include Crown land (15%), J.D. Irving Limited (17%) and Fundy
National Park (5%).
What is a model forest? A model forest is a place where different
stakeholders (partners) work cooperatively to find new innovative ways
to manage our forests more sustainably. The FMF is actually one of
eleven model forests in Canada. Together, they are known as the Canadian
Model Forest Network. The Canadian Forest Service (CFS), part of Natural
Resources Canada, established the network in 1992. CFS is a principal
partner in each model forest and provides primary funding.
The FMF represents a partnership between the federal and provincial
governments, the forest industry, private woodlot and other landowners,
scientific and educational associations, environment groups and
recreational organizations. In all, this partnership is made up of 31
groups.
Since 1992, over 300 projects have been and continue to be carried
out in the area of the FMF. These projects have dealt with subjects such
as soil, water quality, wood supply, socio-economics, biodiversity,
wildlife, education and recreation. For instance, we have studied the
impacts of forest harvesting on small streams in the Hayward Brook
Watershed in Petitcodiac. This multi-year study involved various
partners of the FMF and has proven to be successful. It has allowed us
to disseminate information gained to other groups in the area. Since
1997, we have provided curriculum material and workshops to elementary
teachers in districts 2, 4, 6 and 8 in southern New Brunswick. On-going
research is also trying to address landscape level management on private
woodlots in the Washademoak Lake area. Researchers from the University
of New Brunswick and the Southern New Brunswick Wood Cooperative are
trying to work with landowners in the area to improve forest management.
(photo: FMF)
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Tour Group- Summer 2000
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Throughout the years, we have also provided a number of public tours.
Every year, groups of interest, schools, local citizens and even
international visitors have participated in these one-day tours where
information and a visit to the different research project areas in the
FMF are provided. Several model woodlots have served as venues for our
public tours, including the Robinson Conservation Forest in
Cambridge-Narrows. The Robinson Conservation Forest is a woodlot that
contains three hiking trails with interpretive signs. The woodlot offers
a hands-on unique learning experience to schools and any groups of
interest.
The FMF has played an important role in developing ways to manage our
forests more sustainably in southern New Brunswick. We are now in the
last year of our second 5-year phase. We have received a strong mandate
from our partners to continue into a third 5-year phase.
orests
are an important part of our lives. Canada is a "forest
nation". Ten percent of all the forests in the world are in Canada.
Canada is also the biggest exporter of forest products; in 1998 forests
contributed over 18 billion dollars to our economy. New Brunswick is
also very dependent upon its forests. Our forests provide habitat for
wildlife; recreation for hunters, anglers and hikers; and they also
provide employment. New Brunswick is one of the most forest dependent
provinces in Canada (second only to British Columbia). We therefore
place a lot of demands on our forests. How can we achieve a balance
among all of these demands? How can we ensure healthy forests for now
and for future generations? The Fundy Model Forest is a good place to
start.
