Our Values
Environmental
Our planning and operations staff use information from the Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) geospatial data on species at risk and sensitive features, and field data from pretreatment assessments, to develop and implement operational plans that minimize the environmental impact of harvesting, road construction, and silviculture treatments.
WestFor’s planning process begins with an assessment of the potential impact of proposed forestry operations on wetlands, watercourses, sensitive soils, species at risk and protected areas.
Silvicultural prescriptions are developed based on site specific forest ecosystem classifications determined from field data collected during a pretreatment assessment. The harvest method prescribed will reflect the natural disturbance expected for the site.
The boundaries of operating areas, along with buffers required to protect sensitive features, are marked on the ground before any active operations begin.
Harvesting, Silviculture and Road Construction Contractors follow Best Management Practices designed to protect soil, water, wildlife habitat and other sensitive features on all WestFor forestry operations.
WestFor’s plans for forest management operations are made available for consultation by the Mi’kmaq, various stakeholders, and the general public to ensure they are developed with consideration of cultural, recreational, and other valued interests related to Public Land use.
- All forest management activities proposed through our License Agreement are consulted on with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs & Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office, representing the Mi’kmaw Community through a consultation process established between the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq and the Provincial Government.
- WestFor arranges for archeological surveys under the guidance of DNR and the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage to protect Nova Scotia’s culture and heritage.
- Participation in the Western Region Stakeholder Interaction Committee provides WestFor the opportunity to discuss issues related to forest management with Stakeholders representing a broad range of interests from across Western Nova Scotia. Through this process we work with groups or individuals to see how we can alter our forestry operations to accommodate their interests on specific areas of Crown land.
Areas being proposed for harvest are posted for public comment on Harvest Plans Map Viewer.
Local knowledge of features like trails, portages, campsites and unique features help us accommodate the values that others have in the areas in which we operate.
Roads that WestFor builds and maintains in support of our forestry operations add to the multi-purpose road system throughout Crown Lands in Western Nova Scotia that are enjoyed recreationally by the public (ATV Groups, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking), as well as providing access to isolated areas for wildfire suppression and research opportunities.
Economic
Our forest management efforts play a key role in supporting the success of local wood product manufacturing facilities, part of Nova Scotia’s forest sector that provides direct and indirect employment for thousands of Nova Scotians, while supplying sustainably produced forest products for local communities and export markets.
Most of the work associated with our harvesting, trucking, road construction, and silviculture is conducted by small local businesses and their employees who are based in rural communities throughout Western Nova Scotia.
WestFor provides significant revenue (known as stumpage fees) to the public, on behalf of the shareholders, for all wood products harvested on public lands.
Westfor’s shareholders operate mills and facilities throughout Western and Central Nova Scotia, directly and indirectly employing thousands of Nova Scotians, and producing a diverse range of forest products. Every piece of wood delivered to the mills is used in manufacturing processes designed for efficiency and minimal waste. Dimensional lumber sawn from spruce, fir, and pine is the primary economic driver, distributed to various domestic and international markets.
By-products such as shavings, sawdust, and cut offs are repurposed and processed into value-added products. For example, wood biomass (derived from low quality wood or mill residuals) is used for heating and energy generation for industrial and community facilities such as schools, and hospitals. Wood ash from kiln operations is then repurposed by local farmers as an organic fertilizer.
We acknowledge that we operate in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral, unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq
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