Are you looking for alternatives to clear-cuts and plantations? Do you want other ideas on how to improve your woodland? This weekend’s walk at the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project will help answer many of your questions. On Sunday, August 3, Gary Schneider will host a “Forest Restoration” slide show and walk on the grounds of the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. Activities begin at 2pm in the Nature Centre.

Forest restoration is attracting more and more attention these days as people work to reverse the degradation that they see happening all across the province. The workshop will look at the ideas behind restoring forests, using native plants to improve both the value and the diversity of woodlands. Participants will walk the trails and discuss ways to improve different types of forests.

As part of its work on restoring the native Acadian forest, the Macphail Woods project has been using a variety of silvicultural techniques to improve and enrich stands of old field white spruce or low value hardwoods. The thinnings and small patch cuts are generally followed with plantings of a mixture of native trees and shrubs to improve diversity, enhance wildlife habitat and add value.

Rare plants such as hemlock, red oak, white ash, witch hazel and hobblebush have been planted throughout the forest, though more common plants such as yellow birch, white birch, white pine and sugar maple have also been planted. Each area of woodland is looked at as a separate unit to assess what plants will do best in the area and what cutting practices would actually improve forest health.

The walk provides an excellent opportunity to not only learn more about woodlands but also to share your knowledge. While walking through the various forest types, participants will discuss the variety of techniques that could be used to improve the sites, which may involve cutting and/or planting. Bring your ideas and your forest problems - there will be plenty of time for discussion.

Admission is free and registration is not required. The tea room at the Macphail Homestead is now open for the summer. It is a great place to stop for a bite to eat either before or after the workshop. The workshop is part of an extensive series of outdoor activities at Macphail Woods, a project of the Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island and the Sir Andrew Macphail Foundation. For more information on this or upcoming tours and workshops, please call 651-2575.