International Model Forest Network

In a nutshell

Fundy Model Forest was formed in 1992 when Natural Resources Canada initiated the Canadian Model Forest Program. The program principle was to allow Canada to take a lead role in defining and implementing sustainable forest management concepts and to facilitate knowledge transfer to accelerate sustainable practices.

Ten demonstration initiatives or “Model Forests” were started across the country reflecting a variety of cultural values and ecological diversity. They served as incubators that explored and illustrated concepts and best practices in forest management. The Model Forest Program was a precedent-setting initiative that sought to achieve innovation through partnership, generate new ideas, and find on-the-ground solutions to sustainable resource management issues.

Over the past 27 years, Fundy Model Forest’s partners have been, and continue to be, leaders in advancing sustainable resource management in the Acadian Forest Region. The Fundy Model Forest is conducting research that has practical application in daily work in the forest, testing and piloting new tools and approaches to resource management, and transferring this knowledge and innovation to managers in the Model Forest and beyond.

Landscape

Fundy Model Forest is located in the Acadian forest region of Canada, a landscape of mixed forests and topography where the hardwood forests of the south meet the conifer forests of the north is the setting for an ecologically complex mosaic. Fundy Model Forest contains 30 different species of trees, 45 species of mammals and 110 species of birds.

The Fundy Model Forest landscape is a mixture of forests and farms, many of which are located along the Kennebecasis River or smaller rivers and streams. It also touches on the Bay of Fundy coast. Around Sussex the topography is rolling hills, which become much steeper near the coast.

Partnership

Fundy Model Forest Officers, elected by the Board are:

President – Dr. Dave MacLean, UNB Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management
Vice-President – Mr. Edouard Daigle, Fundy National Park
Secretary – Ms. Amanda Pieroway, Fundy Model Forest, Clerk of the corporation, custodian of the seal and maintains all votes and minutes
Treasurer – Ms. Amanda Pieroway, Fundy Model Forest, Custody of all funds and maintains full and accurate records of accounts

The Executive Committee is comprised of the following:
President -Dr. Dave MacLean
General Manager (non-voting) – Mr. Nairn Hay
Secretary (non-voting) – Ms. Amanda Pieroway
One seat from Natural Resources Canada (Ex-officio) – Mr. Bernard Daigle

Four Landowner Seats:
D. Irving, Limited. – Mr. Robert Fawcett
Fundy National Park – Mr. Edouard Daigle
SNB Wood Cooperative – Mr. Jamie Floyd
NB Department of Natural Resources – Vacant

Five Elected sector representatives:
Education – Mr. Gig Keirstead
Environmental – Ms. Stephanie Coburn
Public at Large – Mr. Jerry Gogan
Research – Dr. Alyre Chiasson
First Nations – Vacant

Administration
Dr. Dave MacLean, Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Management at the University of New Brunswick, is the Chair and President of the Fundy Model Forest.

The office staff consists of:

Nairn Hay, General Manager;
Phone: (506) 432-7575
Email: Nairn@fundymodelforest.net

Amanda Pieroway, Office Administrator,
Phone: (506) 944-0393
Email: Amanda@fundymodelforest.net

Sustainability

Strategic goals:

The Fundy Model Forest vision is about resilient rural communities. The organization therefore works on those 3 strategic programs: Research and Monitoring, Knowledge Mobilization, Community Capacity.

Key actions in place to reach these goals:

Bio-economy diversification – non-timber forest products, bioenergy, ecological goods and services;
Industry competitiveness – private woodlots and industry;
Sustainable Forest Management applied research;
Applied socio-economic research;
Community based tools for planning;
Transfer of new knowledge to forest practitioners and communities;
Two way communication between regional, national and international partners;
Communications/outreach to rural resource communities;
University and school curriculum-focused programs and materials;
Sustainable development of the Fundy Model Forest as an organization through effective administration and partner development.

Key impacts:

The intended outcomes of the completion of the activities are:

Increased community capacity on bio-economy diversification, industry competitiveness and SFM;
Diversified economic opportunities;
Ecosystem sustainability.