Clear goals and measurable objectives provide the foundation for effective woodlot management. Begin by considering the resources and opportunities present on your property, along with the time, finances, knowledge, and assistance available to you. Consider what you want your woodlot to provide now and in the future—such as sustainable timber or non-timber products, recreation, wildlife habitat, ecological conservation, wildfire resilience, financial benefits, or a lasting family legacy.

Your objectives should reflect the character of your woodlot and recognize that management decisions can affect neighbouring lands, watersheds, wildlife, and future generations. Important considerations may include protecting wetlands and riparian areas, maintaining habitat connectivity, conserving mature trees and snags, monitoring forest health and invasive species, reducing wildfire risk where appropriate, and planning for regeneration after harvesting or disturbance. Alberta identifies riparian areas as important for water quality, erosion control, and fish and wildlife habitat, while current forest-health guidance emphasizes resilient and adaptable forests.

Objectives should be specific and realistic. For example, a landowner might establish a sustainable harvest schedule, develop a small Christmas-tree or non-timber forest-product operation, restore a wet area, improve wildlife habitat, maintain or upgrade trails, complete a wildfire-risk assessment, or protect a representative area of older forest. Review your goals periodically and adjust them as your woodland, family circumstances, markets, and environmental conditions change.

• Timber and forest products

  • Major products include pulpwood, sawlogs, stud wood, veneer logs, panel products, boltwood, posts and poles, pallet wood, firewood and fuelwood.

  • Professional advice and expertise regarding timber on your woodlot, management planning and marketing is available from Forestry Consultants, Contractors, Woodland Owner Organizations and Industry Groups located throughout the province.

• Non-timber forest products

  • Woodland can be the source of many non-timber products which can be both a source of income and increase the value of your property. These products include: Christmas trees, brush, wreaths and related products, specialty wood, mineral and aggregate deposits, berries & nuts, mushrooms.

• Recreation and Access

  • Outdoor recreation is one of the major reasons many Albertans own woodland. Benefits derived from the many outdoor recreation activities available include physical fitness, relaxation, adventure, personal enjoyment and appreciation of nature. You may wish to create and improve recreational opportunities for: personal use, public use or commercial use.

  • Commercial Recreation: Your woodlot may have commercial recreational potential. If this is one of your goals, some of the organizations listed may be able to provide helpful information

    • Alberta Hunter Education

    • Hunting in Alberta

    • Nature Alberta

    • Alberta Orienteering Association

    • Alberta Snowmobile Association

    • Edmonton & Area Land Trust

• Wildlife and Biodiversity

  • Hundreds of different animals are native to Nova Scotia including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. If you wish to manage for wildlife on your woodlot, you can choose to manage for many animals, specific animals or both. Whatever you decide, you will require a basic knowledge of the animals' needs including, habitat requirements, food and sensitivity to change.

  • Planning: when planning for wildlife habitat and food requirements, you may want to consider the following and do more research or contact organizations on how to incorporate them into your woodlot.

    • modifying harvest activities to minimize impact on wildlife

    • creating edges through forestry practices - uneven borders produce more edge, which provide many animals with food and shelter, than regular shapes such as circles or squares

    • providing for current and future snags and cavity trees- about 25% of all species use dead and old trees for shelter, roosting, feeding, hibernating or nesting (includes owls, chickadees, woodpeckers, kestrels, squirrels, raccoons and porcupines)

    • managing alder thickets, favoured by grouse, woodcock and songbirds

    • locating and identifying large nest trees and avoid activities around nests during breeding season

    • planting and improving apple trees and trees that produce seeds and nuts

    • maintaining stands of aspen (poplar) trees

    • constructing nest boxes

    • special attention to land along waterways

    • You may want to research online about birds of Alberta, significant species and habitats, bird monitoring.

• Conservation and Ecological Stewardship

  • As owners of Alberta's forested lands, the province's woodlot owners have a major role to play in protecting the province's biodiversity through conservation of natural areas, plants, animals and water quality.

    • Protection: You may want to consider formal or informal protection of areas on your woodlot that are rare or unique, or areas that are special to you.

    • Rare Species Location & Status: Information about the location and status of rare plants, animals and natural communities in Alberta is available from the Alberta Native Plants Council