TREELINES NEWSLETTER OF THE SASKATCHEWAN FORESTRY ASSOCIATION

Fall 2016

Visit us at: www.whitebirch.ca

Contact us at: SFA

Saskatchewan Forestry Association

139-1061 Central Avenue

Prince Albert SK S6V 4V4

Ph: (306) 763-2189

Fax: (306) 763-6456

E-mail: info@whitebirch.ca

In this Issue

Teachers Become Students to Bring

Forest Education to Classrooms …..

1-2

President’s Report……………... 3

Summer Student Report ………. 4-5

National Forest Week…………. 6-7

Teacher’s Corner……………… 8-9

.Toyota's Latest Concept Car Is Made of Wood…………………

10

German Forest Ranger Finds That Trees Have Social Net-works, Too……………………..

11-13

Eastern forests use up nitrogen in soil during earlier, greener springs………………………….

14

Elk……………………………... 15

Our partners …………………... 16

Teachers Become Students to Bring Forest Education to Classrooms

Government of Saskatchewan news release August 19, 2016

Teachers became students this week, as a dozen Saskatchewan educators learned about forest management and ecology during the Ministry of Environment’s third annual forestry teacher’s tour from August 17 to 19. The three-day tour gave teachers a first-hand look at natural forest disturbances such as wildfire and wind, how the forest ages and how forest management works. “Each year, this tour connects teachers with forestry experts and provides them with a variety of hands-on experiences in the field,” Environment’s Manager of Forest Practices and Science David Stevenson said. “By spending time in the forest and seeing for themselves what’s happening there, teachers gain an understanding that they can share with their students.” Elizabeth Thacker, kindergarten teacher at Connaught School in Regina, was part of this week’s tour. “Teaching kindergarten, I try to include as much out-door education as possible,” Thacker said. “I take the students outside, and we’ll do patterns with pine cones and leaves, incorporating the knowledge from the tour.” Thacker said the helicopter overview and sawmill tour were particularly valuable.

2016 Teacher Participants

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“First, we went to a harvest block and watched where the trees are cut,” Thacker said. “Then we

went to the mill and followed the process from log to two-by-four, and how it goes from forest to

usable materials. Being in the forest and having someone show us different plants and trees were a

really unique experience.”

In addition to learning about the science behind sustainable forest management, teachers had an

opportunity to view the forest from a variety of perspectives, including First Nations. Tour stops

include wildfire and wind-damaged areas, an active harvesting operation and reforested sites. A

highlight was the chance for a birds-eye view of natural forest patterns from a helicopter. “I highly

recommend it,” Thacker said. “If you like being outside and you want a once-in-a-lifetime

experience, this is the professional development for you.”

Educators may contact the Ministry of Environment’s Forest Service at 306-953-2221 any time

throughout the year to inquire about next year’s tour, or email info@whitebirch.ca

The tour is co-ordinated by the Prince Albert Model Forest, in partnership with the ministry, and

hosted by the Saskatchewan Forestry Association.

mailto:info@whitebirch.ca

3

President’s Message – Fall 2016 Sindy Nicholson

Greetings on this warm autumn day and hopefully the

weather holds true for our farmer friends trying to get

all their crops in, along with all gardeners and their

produce. The theme of the 2016 National Forest

Week (the third week of September) was “True

North, Strong & Green .“ The SFA once again

hired a summer student, and continued our numerous

fruitful partnerships, such as: the CLC (Conservation

Learning Centre), Forestry 101 Bootcamp, and the

PAMF (Prince Albert Model Forest). Fall is always a great time of year to see all of fall’s full

colour variety! The Kristi Lake trail is gorgeous at this time of year so please make sure you take

some time to appreciate the wide array of colours autumn has to offer by walking and enjoying the

trail.

Editor: Andrea Atkinson

Layout: Jamie Randell

Contributors: Bernadette Slager

Sindy Nicholson

Ashley Vedress