Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project

Saturday, June 14, 2pm at the Nature Centre

Award-winning wildlife biologist and radio personality Bob Bancroft is returning to Macphail Woods on Saturday, June 14, to speak on How Healthy Forests Function. The illustrated talk begins at 2pm in the Nature Centre on the Macphail Homestead in Orwell.

The well-known CBC Radio Noon guest and advocate for nature throughout the region is coming from Nova Scotia to discuss healthy forests and forest ecology. Drawing upon his career as a wildlife biologist and avid nature lover, Bob offers a unique perspective on Maritime ecology over the last half-century. PEI sorely needs a land and water ethic, as do most other places. The workshop will unveil some of the intricate plant/wild animal/freshwater relationships within Wabanaki/Acadian forests and how those historically coped with change.

The last 300 years of land use have degraded most of those relationships, the soils, and the land. Ecological understanding can foster new actions to maintain and restore forest health, while promoting more forest resilience in the face of climate change.

Bob has spent his life as a biologist, naturalist, wildlife rehabilitator and forest steward. He has been studying nature with a passion for fifty years and is a tireless advocate for maintaining and rehabilitating forests, their wildlife habitats and waterways. In 2007, he published “Wild Nova Scotia” and is well-known throughout the region for his work as a wildlife expert.

On their own property across the Strait in Pomquet, Bob and his wife, artist Alice Reed, have worked to bring back many native plant species, constructed a large pond full of wildlife and improved habitat for everything from barred owls to spotted salamanders.

Bob has earned dozens of awards both locally and nationally for his work on behalf of wildlife and forests and is a member of the Nova Scotia Forestry Hall of Fame and the President of Nature Nova Scotia.

There will be lots of time for questions after Bob’s talk. Admission is free but we ask that you register on our website. The workshop is part of an extensive series of activities at Macphail Woods. For more information on this or upcoming events, please call 651-2575, check out our website at macphailwoods.org, or look us up on Facebook.

The workshop will include some time outside on the Macphail Homestead property. Dress accordingly for the weather as these events go ahead rain or shine.