The Forestry Division of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Forestry supports the forest industry in many ways, providing forestry inventory information, specialty products development advice, information on forest insects and disease, and blueprints for equipment and technology. The Division also provides forest education facilities at six demonstration woodlots located in New Harmony, Valleyfield, Auburn, Brookvale, Camp Tamawaby, and Foxley River.
Designed to provide woodlot owners, forest
contractors, and members of the public with tangible
examples of the results of proper forest management, the
demonstration woodlots also help to increase public
awareness of forestry issues on the Island. The woodlots
are open to the public and exhibit current forestry
techniques while providing valuable information on the
Island’s natural history, cultural history, wildlife
management, and forest ecology. All of the woodlots have
trails that are popular for hikers in summer and
cross-country skiers in winter. Year-round, they provide
an excellent opportunity to observe Island birds.
The Auburn Demonstration Woodlot covers 59 hectares (147
acres). It was a working farm and woodlot when it was
purchased in 1966. Since then, many of the old fields
have either been converted to forest plantations or have
regenerated naturally to white spruce. The older mixed
wood stands have been managed using a variety of stand
improvement and harvest techniques.
The Foxley River Demonstration
Woodlot covers 285 hectares (705 acres). In 1965, much of
the property had already been abandoned and was naturally
returning to a woodland state. Other parts of the
property contained older forest and, since 1971, various
improvement and harvest techniques have been applied to
the woodlot. This property provides an excellent example
of Prince Edward Island’s low land forest type. High
water levels combined with rich soil creates a lush
environment for many different species of forest plants.
A wide variety of forest conditions may be viewed by
following the 1.3-kilometre walking trail.
The New Harmony Demonstration Woodlot covers 107 hectares
(265 acres). The front of the property was farmed until
1945 when it was abandoned. These areas have either
regenerated naturally to woodland or have been planted
with a variety of species. Other parts of the forest
originated from small hardwood patch cuts in the 1930s
and 1940s. New Harmony is a good site for bird watching
and offers excellent cross-country skiing during the
winter months.
The Valleyfield Demonstration Woodlot covers some 90
hectares (225 acres). The property was purchased in 1973.
At that time, much of the property had already been
abandoned and was naturally regenerating to woodland.
Other parts of the property contained older forest and
since its purchase, various stand improvement and harvest
techniques have been applied to the woodlot. The variety
of forest cover types and age patterns create favourable
conditions for many song bird species. As such, the
Valleyfield Demonstration Woodlot is considered one of
the best bird-watching locations on Prince Edward Island.
