Department of Natural Resources woodlot education coordinator Simon Mutabazi says
the Whites were selected for their diversity of excellent management techniques and ingenuity.
“Their 520-hectare property showcases the planning, hard work, and dedication that they’ve employed in their lot, sometimes in challenging situations,” he said.
“Eldon uses a variety of treatment methods to suit each unique situation. An eight-hectare section, severely damaged in a hurricane, is now a demo plot for mixed species planting and vigorous regrowth,” he added.
The Whites are also champions of the Category 7 program and have used their woodlot to show the benefits of merchantable thinning.
As owners and operators of Richfield Forestry since the 1980s, the family continues to show that an active forest is a healthy forest.
They also understand the value of other non-timber forest products; their woodlots border both First and Second Briar Lakes, a recreation haven for children in the community. A healthy deer population and a well-maintained camp have made it a favourite hunting spot for three generations of the family and their friends.
