When I considered becoming a Friend of the Ontario Woodlot Association, a flood of memories filled my mind. My father had many talents, one being as a sawyer, owning his own sawmill. He purchased woodlots and in turn, taught my brother and I how and why it was important to log responsibly, not only so the forest could renew itself, but also for the animals and birds that inhabited these areas. I'm proud to be a Friend of the OWA; keep up the good work.
Joan Wood-Brant; Deseronto, On.
I live on the farm where I was raised on McCowan Road, just north of Major Mackenzie Drive and south of the Markham Fair Grounds. The farm has been owned by our family since 1917.
In 1962, when I married Carol Reesor from Cedar Grove, we built our new home on the farm. Part of the property is a regenerating forest/wetland and all of the trees around the house have been planted by me over the years. Right now I am being plagued with dead ash trees which I am cutting down for firewood to use in the air-tight stove in the basement.
In addition, the family owns 325 acres of mixed forest just east of Bobcageon where I boil maple syrup each spring. This forest is all under a MFTIP plan.
I have developed a real commitment to good management of these properties and the membership in OWA has provided me a great deal of information, encouragement and friendship with many like-minded individuals.
