Nashwaak Watershed Association
Forest Stewardship
nashwaak forest stewardship program
Learn. share. manage. protect.
Mature forest is becoming increasingly rare across the landscape. Less than 5% of pre-settlement forest remains in the Maritimes, and the World Wildlife Fund has designated the Wabanaki (Acadian) forest as critically endangered.
Mature and old growth forest offers many benefits (e.g., important wildlife habitat, significant carbon sequestration, flood mitigation, aquatic health), and the loss of older forests negatively impacts many aspects of our ecosystems.
Get to Know Your Forest
Almost half of the Wabanaki (Acadian) forest is under the care of private landowners, many of whom value the services provided by the forest but face challenges when trying to align their forest management with these values.
NWAI would like to get to know the forest owners of the Nashwaak watershed and to learn about their values and forest management practices. We hope to connect forest owners with useful resources and tools that integrate considerations for ecological health and climate change adaptation into forest management.
In addition to sharing existing resources, we are offering free visits with a professional forester to explore site-specific recommendations for private forests.
Reach out to us at forest@nashwaakwatershed.ca for more information.
What is the Wabanaki Forest?
The Nashwaak Watershed is home to Wabanaki forest, which contains a unique and diverse blend of northern hardwood and boreal forest species.
Our Impact on the Forest
Human activities have largely replaced any natural disturbances as the main influence on the forest, with dramatic effects on the landscape.
Mature Forests are Valuable
Mature forests provide a wide range of environmental services that far exceeds the value of timber resources alone.
Resources for Forest Owners
There are many useful resources to help forest owners sustainably manage and restore their forests to provide valuable ecological services.
Managing Your Forest
There are many tips for ecological forest management that have been recommended by our foresters and can be applied to a range of forested properties.