Management Practices
Watershed management
TimberWest has had a forest hydrologist on staff for over 30 years. This expertise gives TimberWest a world class watershed management program that ensures water for people and fish is not harmed by our land management activities. Our operations personnel work closely with our Environment & Resource Integration group to ensure best practices are continually updated as science evolves.
Soil management
TimberWest relies on engineers, geoscientists, and foresters to ensure best management practices are implemented during activities across our timberlands. Soil is the foundation of forestry, and avoiding erosion and other degradation of the land is a top priority for the company.
Fish management
TimberWest works closely with federal and provincial government agencies to ensure our practices employ the latest science for protecting freshwater fish habitats on our lands. Our riparian practices, while leading edge, are also simple. Every stream is unique but our goal is to maintain or enhance fish habitat.
One method of building fish habitat is through a habitat bank. In agreement with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, TimberWest restores habitat areas where it will add significantly to habitat. With this positive habitat balance, TimberWest will periodically draw down this “account” if activities in another area cannot avoid small impacts to fish habitat. The balance is always positive and significant in its real contribution to habitat in our operating areas.
Wildlife management
TimberWest works closely with government agencies and neighboring landowners to conduct field research, track endangered species and keep detailed inventories to ensure operational activities minimize possible harmful disturbances.
Silviculture
Regulations and corporate commitments require TimberWest to replant its timberlands after harvest. Most are reforested within one year. We use high quality seedlings and other silvicultural (stand tending) practices to ensure each seedling is given the best chance to thrive as the next generation of forest. Our Mt. Newton Seed Orchard near Victoria helps ensure we have a sufficient supply of high quality seedlings every year.
Fertilization
TimberWest uses fertilization on appropriate sites to increase the quality and growth of forest stands where it makes economic and ecologic sense. Fertilization of young trees helps ensure they out compete other vegetation, while late rotation fertilization allows an investment return by adding high quality timber volumes in the ten years prior to harvest.
Climate change
Anticipating future climate patterns is a developing science. TimberWest has research partnerships with universities and other research organizations to better assist in planning forests of the future. This includes studying greenhouse balances on our land base and better understanding how our management practices interact with this important environmental issue.