NSCC Centre of Forest Innovation

As part of our transition to bring our work into NSCC’s broader channels, this account will be closing on March 30.

Going forward, all forest-related stories, research highlights and program updates will be shared through NSCC’s main social channels.

Thank you for being part of this community.

Last Thursday in Truro, we gathered for NSCC’s annual Silver Ring Ceremony, a meaningful tradition that recognizes graduating forestry students as they prepare to enter the profession.

This year, three outstanding students from the Lunenburg, Strait Area and Truro campuses were awarded Gold Medals in recognition of their academic excellence and commitment to the field.

It was a privilege to celebrate alongside the National President of the Canadian Institute of Forestry / Institut forestier du Canada , the leadership of the CIF Maritimes Section and many esteemed NSCC faculty and staff who continue to support the next generation of forestry professionals.

Congratulations to all of this year’s graduates. The future of forestry is in good hands.

As forest carbon markets evolve, new opportunities are emerging to support long-term conservation.

This session of Webinar Wednesdays highlights how carbon offset sales can help protect working forests while maintaining stewardship commitments.

📅 March 4, 2026
🕖 7:00 p.m. AST
🔗 Register here: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6444&recurs=0&rd=1772665200000

Join us tomorrow. 👇

Better forest planning starts with better habitat data.

This webinar shares results from a collaborative project that developed detailed habitat models for six bird species at risk in Nova Scotia.

Using high-resolution LiDAR data, forest inventory information and field validation, the team created practical, map-based tools that can be applied directly in forest planning.

Join us as we take a look at how applied research supports stewardship, certification requirements and informed decision-making.

📅 February 18
🕖 7:00 p.m. AST

Register to attend here: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6393&recurs=0&rd=1771455600000

Better forest planning starts with better habitat data.

This webinar shares results from a collaborative project that developed detailed habitat models for six bird species at risk in Nova Scotia.

Using high-resolution LiDAR data, forest inventory information and field validation, the team created practical, map-based tools that can be applied directly in forest planning.

Join us as we take a look at how applied research supports stewardship, certification requirements and informed decision-making.

📅 February 18
🕖 7:00 p.m. AST

Register to attend here: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6393&recurs=0&rd=1771455600000

Clear measurement brings clarity to conversations about biomass heating. Join us tomorrow to learn how climate performance can be assessed across the forest biomass supply chain, with insights from ACFOR Energy CEO Shawn McGrath.

📅 7–8 pm AST
🔗Register for the webinar here: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6360&recurs=0&rd=1770246000000

How do we assess the climate performance of forest biomass used for heating?

Join Shawn McGrath, CEO of ACFOR Energy, in a webinar where he shares how a system was developed and tested to visualize and evaluate historical data across the forest biomass supply chain.

The session will outline how tracking the harvesting process can support more informed decisions related to renewable heating and emissions reduction.

📅 February 4, 2026
🕖 7 – 8 pm AST
🔗 Register to attend: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6360&recurs=0&rd=1770246000000

Looking to train for an in-demand career in the forest sector?

The 2026 cohorts of the Mechanized Forest Equipment Operator program are in development, with proposed start dates in March and September, at NSCC’s Lunenburg and Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) campuses.

Find training details and submit an expression of interest at nscc.ca/mfeo.

The 2026 Woodland Conferences are coming up this spring, with events across Nova Scotia.

Learn more and register at nswoods.ca/events

The Woodland Conferences partners are once again planning for three regional conferences this year! Join us for a conference series where woodland owners, forestry professionals, researchers and nature-lovers learn more about forest stewardship, ecological forestry, and programs available to woodlot owners. Listen to presentations, view exhibits, and network with others interested in forests in Nova Scotia.

Visit nswoods.ca/2026conferences to register and for more details as they become available.

Western Woodland Conference
April 11th, 2026
St. Mary's Bay Academy, Weymouth, NS (Digby County)

Eastern Woodland Conference
April 18th, 2026
Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, Port Hawkesbury, NS (Inverness County)

Central Woodland Conference
May 2nd, 2026
Maple Ridge Elementary, Lantz, NS (Hants County)

Cost (lunch included):
Early Bird: $25 (deadline 8 days before each conference)
Regular: $30
Student: $20

Our Webinar Wednesdays series continues this winter.

In this session, Peter Neily explains how white spruce varies across the Wabanaki–Acadian forest region, some climate change projections and what these may mean for the species in Nova Scotia.

📅 January 21
🕖 7 pm AST

Register here: https://www.nscc.ca/forest/events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=6298&recurs=0&rd=1769036400000

Amazing work for engagement of youth in future forest careers.
NH for the 🏅 win

Atlantic Biologists and Students: ASFWB has a great Newsletter here with features on year in review, and look ahead. An excellent mentor organization and network for forest professionals.

asfwb.ca