Latest EOMF News

• Woodlot Owner Info Session on Forest Certification this Thursday

  Please help us pass the word to woodlot owners on an Information Session this Thursday, May 9 on the "Who, What, Why, and How of Forest Certification". This learning opportunity is designed to inform, inspire and help private woodlot owners to certify their forests under the Eastern Ontario Model Forest's (EOMF) established, easy and affordable Forest Certification Program.

  Also for a limited time, 20 qualifying woodlot owners in Frontenac County can take advantage of a Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation (FCFDC) Funding Program that provides a free, on-site visit by a Forest Management consultant to advise and assist. This initiative will help ensure the long-term sustainable management of our region's forests while achieving environmental as well as socio-economic benefits – for today and tomorrow.

  WHEN & WHERE:
  Thursday, May 9, 2013
  9:00 - 2:00pm
  Soldiers Memorial Hall (OSO)
  1084 Elizabeth Street
  Sharbot Lake (Frontenac County) K0H 2P0

  COST: $ 10.00 (includes meal)

  To view our AGENDA and to register click HERE.
• Join EOMF for its AGM on June 12

  Mark June 12, 2013 on your calendar and plan to attend the Eastern Ontario Model Forest’s 21^st Annual General Meeting.   This year’s AGM will be held once again at the Limerick Forest Interpretive Centre, 1175 Limerick Road Oxford Station (near Kemptville).  Please join us for a day of learning and of sharing information in the relaxing atmosphere of the Limerick Forest.  As always, guests are welcome so bring a friend! 

  Registration and coffee is at 8:30 with the event officially kicking off at 9:00.  A short business meeting will be followed by a screening of our latest video, and a guest speaker or two presenting on topics of interest - so stay tuned.  One thing we do know for sure is that we will host another scrumptious outdoor barbeque under the big white tent followed by a walk along the EOMF Memorial Trail as we did at last year's AGM - venue and food back by popular demand!  

  To register and check for updates please visit our Event page by clicking HERE.  
• New Virtual Ontario Certified Wood Products Marketplace

  The Eastern Ontario Model Forest is pleased to launch a practical and promising new website dubbed the Ontario Certified Wood Products Marketplace! This site has been designed and developed to easily and intuitively connect domestic and international buyers with sellers of Ontario certified wood products.

  This virtual market showcases certified wood suppliers in Ontario by providing them each with a webpage that highlights their product offerings and supporting information. A robust search engine enables potential buyers to easily search for particular products and suppliers. An interactive Classified Ad section enables buyers and sellers to post special offers and items For Sale as well as Wanted posts.

  Our hope is that through our partners and supporters this platform will become a well-known and useful tool that will serve to strengthen and grow the burgeoning local and export markets for certified wood products, and create new markets and customers for our Ontario manufacturers! The site is located at: www.certifiedwoodmarket.ca.

  This site will grow over time as new CoC-certified companies are added. If you know of a firm that fits that description, please have them email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to easily receive their free login and webpage. Please pass the word to potential buyers and sellers! This virtual marketplace was made possible thanks to funding from the Ministry of Natural Resources under of Chain of Custody Certification project.
• EOMF Certification Celebration a Memorable Event

  On the evening of March 21st, the Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) was pleased to welcome nearly 100 guests at Strathmere Lodge in North Gower to celebrate a milestone achievement for its Forest Certification Program. In addition to accolades acknowledging the 10th Anniversary of this successful Program, the Rainforest Alliance presented Scott Davis, the EOMF’s Forest Certification Coordinator, with its third Five Year Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) Certificate along with a 10 Year commemorative plaque.

  “The Forest Stewardship Council has developed a set of internationally-recognized Principles for sustainable forest management practices that are used throughout the world. Canada can boast the highest percentage of FSC-certified forest globally“ said Davis. “The EOMF contributed significantly to making Ontario a leader in Canada, and has demonstrated a commitment to the forest certification process.”

  The Rainforest Alliance is an FSC accredited third-party certification body that interacts, and audits, at the ground-level with individuals and organizations seeking, or having achieved, FSC certification. “The EOMF pioneered the establishment of a Group FSC Certificate (FSC® C018800) that has enabled a multitude of private landowners and community forests to certify their woodlots with greater ease and affordability. They did this by assuming the roles and responsibilities of managing the Certificate to established standards, and coordinating efforts with us as we too evolved over the past 10 years“ remarked Richard Donovan, Vice President of Forestry for the Rainforest Alliance. “Their Program has served as a model for others, meaning the EOMF’s reach and impact now extends far beyond Eastern Ontario.”

  From the humble beginnings, the EOMF Forest Certification Program now includes over 135 forest owners and nine community forests representing over 55,000 hectares of FSC-certified forest throughout southern Ontario. Wade Knight, the EOMFs General Manager, gave the audience an informed overview of the 10 years progression of the EOMF program.

  Another significant achievement of the Program was the creation of FSC maple syrup certified offering. Ray Fortune, the EOMF past president and FSC certified maple syrup producer, spoke on the early days of working with the FSC and the Rainforest Alliance to develop the first maple syrup standard. “FSC-certified maple syrup has travelled the world as gifts to foreign dignitaries and others. Bottles of FSC-labelled syrup are often one of the gifts of choice given by Canadian politicians and companies to symbolize both the essence and uniqueness of Canada, and its commitment to environmental and socio-economic sustainability.”

  The EOMF thanks its many partners, supporters and friends that have contributed to its Program over the years. Of notable mention are its founding partners, the Ontario Woodlot Association, Domtar Cornwall, and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources.

  The EOMF wishes to acknowledge the support and help it has enjoyed and appreciated along the way from individuals, companies and organizations in the forest industry, at all levels of government, NGO’s, First Nations partners, consultants and service providers, staff and others too numerous to mention that have contributed to the program's growth and success.
• Chain of Custody Certification Funding Program in Final Stages

  The Eastern Ontario Model Forest, in collaboration with the Forestry Export Assistance Program of the Ministry of Natural Resources, has been working for the past six months to engage as many Ontario wood manufacturers to become chain of custody certified through its Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification Funding Program.
  
  In spite of the not surprising 'last minute' rush, and the wishes by some to have the Program extended, it looks as though about 20 companies will be successful at gaining their CoC-certification under this Program.  This will now enable each of them to promote the fact that they are CoC-certified and thus take advantage of new opportunities to compete in the growing domestic and export markets for Ontario certified wood products!  One of which will be having a webpage on our new, soon to be released Online Certified Wood Marketplace (more news on that exciting project to come in the next EOMF E-News!).

  This Funding Program, along with the six seminars conducted a year ago during Phase 1 of this project, also built awareness about the benefits and process of gaining a CoC-certification through a combination of a marketing and advertising campaign, the development of new printed and digital educational materials (including several informative videos and a CoC e-Learning course), and through 36 free on-site visits to specific companies by qualified consultants.  

  A recent and ongoing survey being conducted by EOMF as part of this project has revealed that many primary and secondary manufacturers are still not aware of, or have only recently learned about, certification.  Once informed they acknowledge that given it is a global tool that is here to stay they will most probably become certified in the future as demand grows within their particular customer base, or when they choose to pursue new opportunities within the growing domestic and export certified wood marketplace.  Please view our new market video featured in this month's EOMF E-News to learn more about these trends.

  A CoC label provides an assurance to consumers that the wood used in a particular end product comes from forests that are sustainably managed to a set of established, third-party standards.This project better positions more Ontario companies to capitalize on these growing trends and opportunities - now and into the future. Our goal under this project was to make the whole certification process more accessible, easier to accomplish, and more affordable.

  All reimbursement claims must be submitted by March 29, 2013 to receive a 50% reimbursement of third-party assessment invoices under this Funding Program.  For more information visit: www.forestcert.ca or contact the Eastern Ontario Model Forest at 613-258-8365.