In response to a request by the International Model Forest Network Secretariat (IMFN), based in Ottawa, the Canadian Model Forest Network (CMFN) and the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) were pleased to co-host two separate international delegations for a day each - one from Sweden and one from Africa. In each instance, carefully chosen agenda’s and relevant venues were planned to transfer knowledge to the visitors on their chosen topics of interest. On the flipside, we also learned about their unique issues, challenges and initiatives.
The delegation from Sweden included the Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs, Mr. Eskil Erlandsson; Sweden's Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Teppo Tauriainen; the Director of the Swedish Forest Agency, Mr. Peter Blombeck; and their entourage. Leanne Elliott, General Manager of the CMFN, gave an informative overview of the Network and also outlined a new Tri-lateral Agreement between Canada, Sweden and Chile that set-out parameters for project collaboration. This Agreement was signed at CMFN’s 2011 Annual General Meeting in June.
The Swedes were also interested in learning about major landscape issues facing the EOMF as well as their Forest Certification Program and how they engage with First Nations. Sweden shares a similar settled landscape fabric to Eastern Ontario's so their challenge too is to engage and educate private woodlot owners on sustainable forest management practices to ensure the health and longevity of this vital resource. Sweden is also home to an indigenous group called the Sami - whose culture is traditionally based on reindeer herding amidst the mountains that wind through the northern and central areas of the country. Encompassing their traditional lands is the Vilhelmina Model Forest which helps to conserve and support their culture, and has developed sophisticated GIS-modelling tools to help the Suni's and other Swedes to better understand the factors impacting herding and the forest in general.
This day of focused meetings in an FSC-certified log chalet, was capped off my a great lunch and a guided tour of sustainable forest management practices performed by Geoff McVey, Forest Manager, and Rob Ross, Forest Technician, at Limerick Forest in the United Counties of Leeds-Grenville (UCLG). UCLG Warden Mel Campbell, and County Councillor Doug Struthers also welcomed the delegation, presented them with gifts, and participated in the day's session.
