When you ask Don and Sheila what their favourite part of stewarding their 232 acre woodlot is, their answer is simple: sharing.  

Whether it’s sharing knowledge, tradition, accessible trails or homemade maple syrup, the privilege that comes with stewarding a woodlot is not lost on Don and Sheila. One of the most significant ways they share their woodlot is through the more than 10 kilometers of accessible trails, which they enjoy along with their neighbours.

“My favourite thing about owning a woodlot is sharing it,” says Sheila. “Sometimes we will have a group of people who are learning about trees and nature, and we’ll take them for a walk through the woodlot.” 

“It’s been really special sharing the woodlot with them; being able to say ‘anytime you’d like to come back and walk the trails, you’re more than welcome’.”

The building and naming of trails is one way Don and Sheila preserve some of the rich history of their woodlot – the history that came before they started stewarding it, as well as their own stewardship legacy.  

The Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust (NSWWT) is the only land trust in the province that permits certain human use practices on land steward’s woodlot, including trail clearing. When land stewards sign a Working Forest Community Easement, they maintain ownership of their land and can continue to steward it in the way they want to.  

When land stewards sign on with the NSWWT, they join as partners. The team of knowledgeable staff works with land stewards every step of the way.  

“What really excites us about working with the NSWWT is the support and the passion,” says Sheila. “Everyone we have worked with has been so passionate, interested and well-informed, and we’ve learned a lot from the team.” 

You can read the full story on the NSWWT website, here.

Nova Scotia Working Woodlands Trust
Email: [email protected]