Muskoka Silviculture Field Day

Organized by: Westwind Forest Stewardship

Participants will meet at the Lake of Bays Community Centre Arena at 10 AM on Thursday, May 28 for introductions, overview, and handouts. We will then carpool, leaving extra vehicles at the Lake of Bays Community Centre, then travel to the site to learn about silviculture systems, hawk nest protection, and basal area measurement. Afterwards, we'll drive to Dorset Beach Park for a washroom break and lunch (pack your own lunch). After lunch, we'll visit a beech study site to discuss Beech Bark Disease and management strategies. The day concludes at the final field site, with a return to Baysville for those that carpooled.

This field tour follows up on the March 2026 presentation by Javier Cappella, RPF, Silviculture on Crown Land in Muskoka, during Woodlands Appreciation Week.

Things to note:

• Vehicles need to be SUVs or Trucks.
• We will be walking into the forest on uneven rough terrain with fallen branches and tripping hazards. Wear sturdy footwear.
• Wear long sleeves and pants, bug spray. Bring water and a lunch.

Detailed Agenda:

Meet at the Lake of Bays Community Centre Arena, 10AM, Thursday May 28

Address: 10 University St, Baysville, ON P0B 1A0

• Introductions, overview of the day, paper handouts given to participants.
• Carpool and park extra vehicles at Lake of Bays Community Centre Arena on University St.

Drive to Harvest Block, RIDMTM1a

• 20 min drive, HWY117, Echo Lake Rd, N Ril Lake Road, Fire Access Rd.

Silviculture in forest management. (RIDMTM1a)

• Application of the selection, shelterwood and clearcut silviculture systems.
• Hawk nest value protection
• Basal Area measurement exercise

Drive to Dorset Beach Park

• 30 min drive, Fire Access Rd, N Ril Lake Road, Paint Lake Road, HWY117, HWY 35

Dorset Beach Park

• Washroom break, 2 porta potties
• Lunch (bring your own)

Drive to Beech Study Site

• 15 min drive, HWY35, Kawagama Lake Road, Livingstone Lake Rd, McClintock Rd, N Crk Rd (Fletcher Bay Road)

Beech Study Site

• Presentation on Beech Bark Disease
• Silviculture management options for addressing the impact of BBD on the forest.
• Wrap up and thank you.

Drive to Baysville

• 40 min drive, 37km
• For all who left vehicles at the community centre