The Eastern Ontario Model Forest (EOMF) is pleased to welcome the Kemptville Campus Education and Community Centre into the EOMF Forest Certification Program. A celebration of this achievement took place Friday January 17th at the Agroforestry Centre on Bedell Road in Kemptville. “We are very pleased to work with the EOMF, a local organization right here on the Kemptville Campus, in achieving forest certification. This aligns well with our goals of environmental sustainability and education”, said Nancy Peckford, North Grenville, Mayor, “Forest Certification under the EOMF provides us with an assurance that we are actively part of the much larger process of ensuring our forest is managed sustainably.” The Kemptville Campus Forest adds 360 acres to the growing list of private forests now Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified through the EOMF.
The FSC® is an international, non-profit organization that supports environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world’s forests. The FCS® has developed a set of standards that ensure sustainable forest management. Forest owners must indicate their commitment to managing their forest within the FSC® Standards and the EOMF policies and procedures. Jim Hendry, Forest Certification Coordinator for the EOMF views forest certification as an important tool in implementing sustainable forest management. “Managing our forests to a world class standard while producing FSC® certified wood and maple syrup is good for the environment and the local economy. The certification of the Kemptville Campus Forest will help to raise awareness of the importance of forests and sustainable management throughout North Grenville and beyond.” says Jim Hendry.

The Kemptville Campus Forest is comprised of several forest stands, including mixed hardwood, conifer and maple plantations and mixed hardwood-conifer. The Forest has been actively managed by the University of Guelph University and Kemptville Agricultural College since 1917, offering forest management educational opportunities for students of all ages, including college students, private woodlot owners, and forestry professionals. The Forest also features a state-of-art maple syrup production facility that has been used for both maple syrup production and research. The FSC® certification will include both timber and maple syrup forest products from the forest.

The celebration event held January 17th was attended by several community organizations and Campus partners, including the South Nation Conservation, United Counties of Leeds Grenville and students from Campus schools École élémentaire et secondaire publique Rivière Rideau and Académie catholique Notre-Dame, highlighting the community focus of this forest.

For more information on the EOMF Forest Certification Program contact Jim Hendry at (613) 258-8422 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit their web site at www.eomf.on.ca