On Sunday, the Halifax Chapter of the Young Naturalists Club ventured out to Eastern Shore for a visit to Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest to learn about sustainable forest management and all things TREES! We’ve been to this awesome demonstration site a few times now and always have so much fun. We learned from experienced forest managers who know about our native tree species, how forests grow and change over time, and what kinds of harvest techniques make for sustainable forestry.

?Operated as a division of NSWOOA, the Otter Ponds Demonstration Forest (OPDF) is a place for all Nova Scotians to learn about forest ecology and the sustainable management of our native Acadian Forest. OPDF is a living laboratory that shows how timber production can be compatible with the protection of the full range of other forest values and services. Otter Ponds demonstrates the philosophy, science, and practice of uneven-aged management in the Acadian Forest. It produces timber for market using the best forest practices presently known, while protecting wildlife habitat and the Tangier River watershed, respecting the ecosystem services provided by the parcel, and enhancing the social and cultural value of the forest.

We highly recommend checking them out!