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Elementary students take to the woods

June 2, 2016

Retired forest technician Paul Devitt explains the tree planting process.

Forestry Day brought close to 200 local elementary students to Joy Bible Camp last week to learn about a wide variety to ways to cultivate forests and work with the resulting wood. The students came from York River, Whitney, and Madawaka public schools, and even from the Sagonaska Demonstration School in Belleville. They learned about tree variety and tree planting, and visited with talented local artisans who produce everything from canoes and paddles to violins to pepper mills. They even watched John Foreman shape a tree trunk with a broadaxe.       

Organizer Virginia de Carle, vice president of the Bancroft Area Forest Industry Association (BAFIA), pronounced the day a success. “We had great positive feedback from the teachers; they really appreciated the experience their students had.”    She noted that BAFIA puts a lot of work into the day, even paying for the school buses, “because it underlines for these young people the importance of sustainable forest development. We want the next generation to become strong stewards of our land in the future.”

DeCarle thanked all the foresters and craftsmen who helped mount the educational outing, especially those from Forests Ontario.

         

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