Maritime Forest Accord

Family Forest Owner

What will your legacy be?

Family Forests for the Future

Family forest owners manage 40% of the forest in the Maritimes. That’s a lot of potential for responsible stewardship! We know you care deeply about your woodlot but face challenges. We want you at the forefront of change — join our movement.

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A Family Legacy

Nova Scotia landowner Tom Miller is admired for his dedication to ecological forestry, and his son is now following in his footsteps.

Read Full Story: A Family Legacy

I was always inspired that my dad was fighting the good fight and sticking up for what was right. That always came out in the way he was managing his land.

Matt Miller

Frequently Asked

Can I sell carbon offsets from my forest?

Currently, it’s difficult for an individual landowner to sell carbon offsets because the costs are prohibitively high unless you have thousands of acres. Changes are coming, but right now, the only way to earn money from the carbon in your forest is to connect with an organization that sells carbon offsets.

How will climate change affect my forest?

As the climate changes, the species composition of your forest will likely change too. The natural composition of the Acadian forest is well suited to a changing climate due to its diversity. Actively managing the species composition of your forest can increase its resilience as the climate changes.

What are my options if my kids aren't interested in the family forest?

Succession is a concern for many landowners. Selling or donating your forest to a charity are popular options for landowners who are concerned about conserving their forests long-term. You can find many potential organizations listed in our Service Directory.

Who can help me create a management plan?

A great place to start is your local marketing board or woodlot owner association, both of which can work with you to create a management plan and can help you find a contractor who is a good fit for your management priorities.

How can I protect my woodlot from pests and diseases?

Managing your forest for diversity is one of the most important defenses you have against pests and diseases. Depending on what you’re protecting your forest from, there may be additional measures that can be taken. Search “Pests” or “Diseases” in our Resource Directory to find additional materials.

How can I earn income without clearcutting?

Clearcutting isn’t always the most lucrative way to earn income from your forest. By managing your forest for diverse species and ages, you can make more income over time by making small selection harvests that improve the forest’s health. We are also keeping our eyes on emerging markets, so check back soon!

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Add your voice and values to this movement!

Please fill out the following form to help us build the Maritime Forest Accord, a vision for responsible forest stewardship across the Maritimes.

What will your forest legacy be?

Your woodlot can make a difference.

Did you know that there are more than 80,000 private woodlot owners across the Maritimes, and thousands more across the entire Wabanaki Forest Region? Family forest owners, like you, are responsible for managing approximately 40% of the forestland in the Maritimes. That’s a whole lot of potential for responsible forest management. 

Family forests are becoming ever more important as the climate changes, and the naturally diverse and resilient Wabanaki forest offers so much hope for the future. There are lots of forces at play and they don’t always support your desire for a diverse and productive forest. Many landowners don't necessarily want to clearcut, but are often driven to as a result of financial need. A lot of these things are out of our control. But there are some things that we can control — and that’s what this movement is all about.

This website houses resources that can help you manage your forest with ecological integrity and with an eye to the changing climate. The Maritime Forest Accord is designed to unlock the great potential of the Wabanaki forest by supporting your values and needs as a landowner.