Now in its 39th year, the Model Forest Winter Woodlot Conference (formerly the Kemptville Winter Woodlot Conference) is a long-running educational event of the Model Forest, originally organized by OMAFRA and the MNR.
The conference was taken over by the Model Forest in 1996 and later by the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Chapter of the OWA, with invaluable support from local Stewardship Councils, Conservation Authorities and loyal sponsors over the years. The conference has evolved into an online webinar series on topics related to forestry, woodlot stewardship and wildlife.
Register to receive the Zoom link for each presentation you wish to attend. Links will be distributed in a reminder email 1-2 days prior to the presentation. Presentations may be subject to change.
Transforming the Problem:
Using Invasive Species for Art + Craft
From buckthorn to dog-strangling vine and phragmites, we’ll explore a few different ways to turn invasive species into art supplies. Artist and maker Kate Hayday will share a few projects she’s made using the invasive species found in her forest as raw materials. Needlefelting, natural inks and dyes, automata, and sturdy basket handles, this talk is all about finding beauty in unexpected places.
Speaker: Kate Hayday
Kate Hayday is a writer, artist, and technology consultant (www.makersdozen.ca) who works passionately in the spaces where art, science, and nature intersect. She is an enthusiastic guide and teacher, leading walks, talks and workshops that range from beginner robotics to understanding animal tracks. In 2018, Kate moved from the heart of downtown Toronto to a log cabin in a small 25-acre forest. In 2019, she began making her own art supplies from abundant and invasive plants. An avid naturalist, a walk with Kate through the woods can take a very long time, stopping to chat about every bird heard and each fungus found.
Using Invasive Species for Woodworking
Retired biology professor and amateur luthier Doug Larson shares how he turns wood from invasive common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) into beautiful instruments. After harvesting large-diameter buckthorn cleared by the City of Guelph, he’s crafted ukuleles, guitars, and knife handles, demonstrating that a destructive plant can gain new value. Doug’s talk will blend research, relatable landowner experience, and creative reuse, inspiring woodworkers to transform a destructive species into something worth keeping.
Speaker: Doug Larson
Doug Larson retired from the University of Guelph 16 years ago after a 35-year teaching and research career. He is best known for the discovery of the ancient forests of the Niagara Escarpment. Four books and 130 research papers formed the core of the academic career. While not conducting research, Doug was heavily involved with woodworking, instrument building, songwriting, and recording.
Five albums with Kid Coma (see iTunes for Complete Metamorphosis) were recorded over 8 years, and the material in those records covered many environmental and political topics including homage to Aldo Leopold. Most recently Doug has recorded an album (Things that need to be said) with Steve Knox of the Kramdens.
Doug’s best known post-retirement project was the building of the Storyteller Guitar and the writing of a book of the same name (Dundurn, 2011). Seven other history-based guitar-building projects have been completed recently including three telling the story of the rediscovery the Dawn Redwood, one using wood from the 107-year history of Knight Lumber Inc. of Guelph, and six testing the incorporation into instrument building of the much-hated common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).
About the Model Forest
The Model Forest is a not-for-profit, charitable organization working with government, landowners, industry, First Nations, non-government organizations and others to develop new ways to sustain and manage our forest resources. The Model Forest provides a unique forum where forest owners, managers, and users can forge partnerships, share their knowledge, and combine their expertise and resources.
