Interested in managing your own woodlot or natural area?
Although the GRCA does not presently offer private woodlot management services, there are many resources available to assist you!
Please use the following links to assist you with any questions you may have in Woodlot Management, Invasive Species and other Legislation-related areas. GRCA staff can also be contacted to answer your questions or to help guide you to the right source.
Woodlot Management
If you own more than 10 acres of forest, including freshly planted forests, you may be eligible for a property tax reduction through the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.
Landowners are encouraged to contact a Managed Forest Plan Approver for more information.
Landowner Resource Centre Extension Notes introduced southern Ontario landowners to a wide variety of forest management topics.
If you neighbour the Ganaraska Forest and are interested in pursuing a timber harvest in your woodlot in the future, contact our Forester to synchronize with our harvest. Coordinating harvests as a group helps make operations more cost efficient, which is particularly helpful for first thinnings that may not yet be large enough to generate a profit.
Invasive Species
Invasive species are recommended to be reported using the Early Detection & Distribution Mapping System (EDD MapS).
The Ontario Invasive Plant Council outlines the Best Management Practices for some of the most common invasive species in southern Ontario.
The Invasive Species Centre also provides information about various invasive pests and pathogens in Ontario. This includes Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and LDD (Gypsy) Moth.
Legislation
- Durham Region – Regional Woodland By-Law
- Northumberland County – Forest Conservation (Tree) By-Law
- Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough County do not presently have a regional tree by-law.
- Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act
- Greenbelt Act
- Forestry Act
- Weed Control Act
- Professional Foresters Act
