Whitecourt’s Huestis Demonstration Forest, a learning environment for the public, students and forestry professionals, gets a facelift
From The Edge Forest Business Magazine, May 2006
By Sarah Seinen, MediaMatch West Communications
The Eric S. Huestis demonstration forest northwest of Whitecourt, which has provided learning opportunities for Albertans for close to 20 years, is getting a facelift.
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (ASRD), Millar Western Forest Products and other companies are updating the demonstration forest by replacing old signs and adding some new topics along the self-guided, auto-tour route. In addition, the Alberta Junior Forest Rangers will be lending a hand, making improvements to the interpretive trail.
“The demonstration forest helps to give the public an understanding of what’s happening on the forested land base,” said Seena Bentley, land and resource management forester for ASRD’s Public Lands and Forests Division in Whitecourt. “It provides people with the opportunity to go out and view what kind of activity is going on in and around their community.”
The Huestis Demonstration Forest, which covers about 10 square kilometres (almost three township sections), was established in the late 1980s with the five cutblocks of aspen, pine, spruce, mixed wood and exotic species to exhibit forest management practices to the public. Industrial activity, such as oil and gas production, has been limited in the demonstration forest area until recently.
“Our long-term vision is to create a snapshot of a working forest to show how many activities or users integrate land use,” said Bentley. “For companies, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate key concepts of their business, such as sustainability and resource extraction.”
The front gate to the demonstration forest is open from May to October.
Bentley said the forest acts as a learning environment for the public, professional associations and student groups from elementary, secondary and post-secondary schools such as the University of Alberta and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.
For more information or if anyone is interested in sponsoring the Huestis Demonstration Forest, contact Seena Bentley at (780) 778-7267 or seena.bentley@gov.ab.ca.