Forestry & Environmental Stewardship

Forestry & Environmental Stewardship

For the Planning and Development department, good Environmental
Stewardship means safeguarding our local natural environment. This includes
activities such as water protection, forest conservation, identifying and protecting
species at risk, weed inspection, and more

We accomplish this by:

  • Co-ordinating the Huron Clean Water Project and Water Protection Steering
    Committee.
  • Forest Conservation/County Forest management.
  • Sharing forestry and stewardship best management practices with landowners.
  • Species at risk and grant/funding opportunities.
    Weed inspection.
  • Conservation actions on County-held lands.

County Forest Tracts

The fourteen forest tracts owned and maintained by the County of Huron are a legacy of a massive reforestation effort that took place across southern Ontario, beginning in the 1900s. The project was undertaken by local municipalities in partnership with the province. Today, these properties total more than 1600 acres.

These forests are symbolic of a province-wide effort to reverse serious problems including soil erosion, flooding and water pollution that resulted from non-strategic clearing and a lack of forest management by the early settlers of Ontario. With proper management and community partnerships, these forest tracts serve as valuable sources of environmental protection, education, and recreation for current and future generations in Huron County.

Nine of these properties are currently available to Huron County residents and visitors for passive recreation.

Robertson Tract

The Robertson brothers were passionate about reforestation. In 1936 they started planting trees on marginal farmland, making the Robertson Tract one of the oldest plantations in the County.

Location: On Pinery Line, south of Blyth Rd

Taylor Tract

Taylor Tract was reforested in the 1950’s as part of the “Agreement Forest” program.  The Agreement Forest was a partnership between the Provincial and Municipal governments and local communities that resulted in the planting of over 1.2 million trees on County-owned properties.

Location: Harriston Rd (County Rd #87), 1km east of Fordwich Line

Stingel Tract

Purchased by Huron County in 1948, nearly 100,000 trees were planted here to reforest unproductive farmland. Located northwest of the village of Dungannon, this area was surveyed as a “long” hundred acre farm, nearly 1.35km in length and 30% longer than typical 100 acres farms further south.

Location: 1.3km, west of Lucknow Line (County Rd #1) on Glen’s Hill Rd

 

Sheppardton Tract

Named for the nearby pioneer village of Sheppardton, this 280 acre property is the largest of the Huron County Forests. Because it contains a significant wetland within 2km of Lake Huron, part of the property is classified as rare “coastal wetland”.

Location: East side of Hwy. #21, 8km north of Goderich

Moreland Tract

Settled by Irish sea captain Hugh Moreland in 1848, the original foundations of the tiny homestead is still visible. Purchased by the County in 1963, over 60,000 trees were planted here as part of a province wide effort to reforest marginal farmland.

Location: From Nile Rd, take St. Augustine Line north and turn east for 2.5km on Hawkins Line

Redmond Tract

Featuring upland maple forest and towering white pines, this 150 acre tract offers year round hiking. As a “working forest”, the Redmond Tract provides sustainable harvests of wood products while providing prime fish and wildlife habitat.

Location: From Donnybrook Line, turn onto Westfield Rd heading east.

Stevenson Tract

A 200 acre tract, this property was purchased by the County in 1951 as part of a province-wide effort to reforest fragile lands for the improvement of water quality, reduction of flooding and conservation of soil.

Location: County Rd #16 (Morris Rd), just east of Clyde Line

Rea Memorial Tract

The estate of Mr. William Rea (pronounced r-a-y) donated this property to Huron County in 1969. A combination of wetlands and upland forest make it home to bio-diverse plants and wildlife.

Location: Walton Rd, 0.8km east of Walton

Bannockburn Tract

This 85 acre property contains a wide variety of habitats including wetlands, ponds, vernal pools, streams, woodlands and meadows, making it suitable for a wide variety of plants and wildlife.

Location: Bannockburn Line, 1.2km south of Mill Rd

Forest Conservation

Forest cover makes up approximately fifteen percent of the land base in Huron County. The conservation and management of these 126,900 acres of forest is a high priority for property owners and for all residents of Huron County.

With the growing frequency of extreme weather events, the ecological services provided by woodlands are increasingly valuable. The protection of soils from erosion and protection of water sources resulting from the conservation of forest cover are critical for the County’s agricultural and tourism-based economy. At the same time, woodland benefits such as stormwater management, water and air quality are important for the quality of life and health of the County’s approximately 60,000 residents. The County’s woodlands also provide direct economic benefits through the sale of forest products by property owners while providing local employment opportunities for residents and value-added products for local industry.

Woodlot Protections

A healthy, well managed woodlot provides long-term benefits to the owner in the form of financial returns on the timber harvested and protection against soil erosion in adjacent fields caused by both wind and water. Woodlots also benefit neighbouring communities by improving surface water quality and helping to manage storm water drainage, which prevents flooding issues.

To ensure that privately owned woodlots are sustainably managed for the long-term benefit of owners and the surrounding communities, Huron County has a by-law in place that regulates commercial harvesting and the clearing of forests.

The first Huron County “Tree By-Law” was passed in 1947 with the support of landowners and the farm community who were concerned about the soil erosion and water issues that resulted from widespread clear cutting and over-harvesting by previous generations. Since the beginning of local reforestation efforts in the 1930’s, and the introduction of the County’s first bylaw to protect trees in 1947, the forest cover has rebounded from critical depletion in the early 1900’s, to become stable at approximately 15%.

The County of Huron thanks woodland owners, past and present, for their efforts to maintain and protect forest cover. A well managed woodlot provides long-term benefits to owners and neighbouring communities.

 

By-Laws

Any landowner or contractor in the County of Huron who is considering a timber harvest or other tree cutting activity in woodlots needs to know the County by-law.

All woodlots greater than 0.5 acres (0.2 hectares) are regulated. The size of a woodlot is not determined by property boundaries but by the number of trees per acre of a certain size. The larger the trees, the fewer that are required per area for the bylaw to apply. Native tree species of any size are included.

The by-law does not apply to owners harvesting trees on their own property for personal use (e.g., firewood) as long as the total number of trees per acre is not reduced below the threshold that defines a woodlot in the by-law.

County staff are ready to assist you in getting the most out of your woodlot.

Commercial Harvest

Commercial timber harvests require a short form called a Notice of Intent to be filed by the contractor or the landowner at least ten weekdays prior to the harvest starting.

Trees to be harvested must be clearly marked with paint on two sides and at the base. Trees must have reached a minimum circumference as defined in the by-law in order to be harvested, unless they have been marked using good forestry practices by a member of the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.

For a complete schedule of steps, or to discuss your needs, contact the County of Huron Forest Conservation Officer using the information provided below. The Forest Conservation Officer will help you maximize the return on your woodlot.

Forestry Services

Through the Forest Conservation Officer, the County of Huron offers a suite of services to woodlot owners, including:

  • Providing general advice on forest management, woodlot enhancement and forest product marketing;
  • Pre-consultations prior to tree removal to ensure compliance with the Forest Conservation By-Law; and
  • Assisting landowners to apply for the new Huron Clean Water Project Forest Management funding, which provides grants up to 50% of the cost of hiring professional forestry consultants.

For more information on how to get the most of your woodlot, there are many helpful web-based resources available.

    Huron Clean Water Project

    The Huron Clean Water Project (HCWP) provides financial and technical assistance to Huron County residents to improve and protect water quality in Huron County. It is funded by the County of Huron and service delivery is provided by Ausable Bayfield and Maitland Valley conservation authorities.

    Resources

    Forests For Our Future

    Management Plan for the County Forests.  Recommnedations for Tree Cover Enhancement

    Forests For Our Future

    Huron County Forest By-law No. 38-2013

    A by-law of the Corporation of the County of Huron to prohibit or regulate the destruction or injuring of trees in woodlands and woodlots in the County of Huron.

    By-law No. 38-2013

    Notice of Intent for Commercial Harvest

    Contact Planning & Development

    County of Huron |
    Planning & Development

    57 Napier Street, 2nd Floor
    Goderich, ON
    N7A 1W2

    Phone: 519.524.8394, ext 3
    Toll Free: 1.888.524.8394, ext 3

    Hours:
    Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.