Management and conservation of woodlots located within the County of Middlesex occurs at two levels, through the County of Middlesex and the participation of Private Landowners.
County Management & Conservation
The County of Middlesex owns and manages the County Forest which consists of 1040 hectares (2500 acres) within 27 tracts. The County Forest is located within three geographic areas: the Dorchester Swamp, the Big Swamp, and the Skunk’s Misery / Bothwell Forest Complex.
The largest component of the County Forest is the Skunk’s Misery / Bothwell Forest Complex which is one of the largest and most significant remaining forest blocks in Southwestern Ontario. It contains many plants that are uncommon elsewhere in Ontario, attracts area-sensitive and forest interior species, is an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest that contains many Provincially Significant Wetlands, and is home to many rare and unique species including Species at Risk.
Council has established the following Vision for the County Forest:
“The Middlesex County Forest will be managed to ensure the ecological sustainability of the Middlesex County Forest and their associated natural heritage features and social and economic values through the utilization of an integrated ecosystem-based approach to management.”
The County manages the County Forest including through a Council approved 20-year Management Plan and 5-year Operational Plans. The Management Plan activities include Forest Stewardship, Conservation of Natural Heritage Woodlands, Sustainable Forest Management, Science & Education, and Recreation.
The Sustainable Forest Management activities within the County Forest include silvicultural management (timber harvest, regeneration, forest health improvement, and control of invasive species) as outlined in the Management and the Operational Plans. The management operations that are taking place now will, over the long term, improve the forest and provide a long-term ecological and financial benefit.