Chainsaw Safety Training with Bruce Grey Woodlot Association

Back in November of 2023, I had the opportunity to provide a one day ‘Chainsaw Awareness’ course to 11 BGWA members. It was jam packed with interest, willingness to learn and lots of questions. As part of the course, each participant got a copy of the Ontario based chainsaw safety handbook: The Cutting Edge. (read the excerpt from BGWA Newsletter – 2023) Student Course Reviews

Continue Reading →

The Truth about the 50 Million Tree program

This past April the Ontario provincial government cancelled the 50 Million Tree Program. This program was created by the provincial government as a carbon sequestration program. A wonderful side effect of planting so many trees is how this also helps to clean the air and water, protect shorelines and reduce erosion in southern Ontario. Rob Keen, CEO of Forests Ontario, said since 2008 more than 27 million trees have been planted across Ontario through the…

Continue Reading →

Customized Google Maps

My cellphone is attached to my hip – almost surgically :). On this cellphone I’m forever using Google maps. It’s a great feature with its road layout layer and satellite layer, however, at times I need it to locate to specific POIs (points of interest) or trails, etc. I have found a way of creating custom Google map layers with the help of QGIS software, a bunch of file formats  and map resources (satellite images,…

Continue Reading →

Bruce Grey Newsletter – Fall 2017

HI I had the opportunity to write an article, Firewood: Mysteries of BTU and Cord Measurements, for the Bruce Grey Woodlot Association recently. I encourage all interested in our woodlands to join this very active organization – contact them at BGWA.ca This edition includes articles on: · Heating With Wood · Firewood: Mysteries of BTU and Cord Measurements · Nature Preschools · Forest Health Review for Grey-Bruce · EAB: Don’t Kiss All Your Ash Goodbye…

Continue Reading →

Great Year in Forestry Diversity

This was my first full year in the south-western part of the Ontario. I had the opportunity to participate in an excellent energy filled woodlot conference in the Grey Bruce. One interesting contract had me working with an enthusiastic team from Bruce Tree Experts preparing an inventory for a potential natural gas corridor. That was a great opportunity to intertwine forest inventory design, GIS, GPS and spreadsheet analysis all into one contract. The Managed Forest…

Continue Reading →