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Huron County Council received an update regarding forest conservation.
Dave Pullen, the Forest Conservation Officer for the county delivered the report at this week’s council meeting, and provided updates on efforts within the region.
Pullen says that recreational use for county trails remains high among residents, with many people enjoying outdoor activity and “nature therapy” in local forests.
Nine of the County’s 14 tracts are included in the Hiking Guide.
He says that trail maintenance in 2023 focused on the removal of dead ash trees along trails, as well as minor trail improvements.
Last year, county staff and local contractors were able to use wood from county forests to build the accessible gazebo at Huronview, which was funded by COVID resiliency funding provided by both the Federal and Provincial governments.
The report also outlines that county staff will continue with using “Good Forestry Practices” when designating which trees need to be removed or harvested. There are also plans to collect marketable ash trees for sale during the 2024-25 harvest operations.